Covid in Schools

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

My youngest grandson is in Year 8 . He had to stay at home for two weeks before half term, then has been off for the last two weeks. He was due to go back yesterday but then a message came that said only Year 7 are to go in for the rest of term. There was also a huge hint to parents to keep them off if they want them to self isolate to be ok for seeing family at Christmas. The school seems overwhelmed with cases in all year groups and staff. Year 11 have managed to complete their Mocks though.

im hoping all schools stay closed for a few weeks beginning of jan ,schools stay closed and do zoom classrooms ,
ss people who do not follow the rules ,and in jan will be an explosion of cases,

My Granddaughter - age 13- in Sussex has just finished her self isolation and school is closed until Thursday, when she is required to go in for 1 day before it closes for Christmas. If they go in and someone tests positive after that then another 2 weeks in over Christmas and the new year. They have very little social contact outside the family due to COVID but have an elderly grannie - not me- going there for Christmas as she’s had such an awful year. They’ve decided not to send the 13 year old to school and avoid that possibility of getting COVID. School seems to be a bit issue at the moment - maybe because of travelling on crowded buses to get there. Stay safe everyone.

We're not having family over this Xmas as our 12 year old granddaughter has already been in isolation once as a child she sat next to was positive. It's too much of a risk for one day .it's hard but wise we feel

We decided to not have our grandchildren here over Christmas because we don't know that they won't catch the virus right up to their last day of school, and bring the infection to us. They have had several periods of having to stay home because it's in their school. It's upsetting as we brought them up for a few years while their mum was very ill, so we are very close. However, we'd rather we were around for the rest of their childhood than maybe dead in the new year. How would they cope in the future if they thought they were the ones that unwittingly gave us the virus. All for the sake of a few days. We'll wait for the vaccination before we get together,

It’s a wake up call than nobody is immune. Who is surprised that the virus is spreading when hundreds of people flock to places like Nottingham and London?
These are probably the people who have infected their children and who are now spreading the infection in schools.

So selfish.

School years are in and out here. There's a storm brewing in N. Ireland because a lot are wanting schools to close early so they can isolate in time for Xmas. I'm sorry, kids will not stay in the house until Xmas away from friends. They will be in the shops and hanging around everywhere passing it on to the community. I was out walking my dog last weekend and two boys practically barged into me going past and spat every 5 steps they took, filthy habit. I'm not saying all kids are like that but it only takes a couple who don't care to pass this on and on. Keep them in school wearing masks I say.

Just heard yesterday that my 13. year old granddaughter has to isolate for the 3rd time since September-she’ll be out of isolation on Christmas Day. The rate in secondary schools has been high in my tier 3 area for quite a while and well publicised locally and so I’ve not seen her since the beginning of October. I’m not sure that this in/out of school yo yo is any better for her education and mental well being than remote learning at home

The main reason schools are having to close is not because of a raft of positive cases in school but due to 1 which leads to a year group or bubble having to self isolate as well as any affected teachers. The main reason for whole school closures is lack of staff because they are self isolating. Most of the cases are coming from the community/family. The majority, if not all the schools are doing an amazing job at caring for our children and keeping them safe. I don’t think they are getting the recognition they deserve. They have been open all the way through, one way or another, providing food parcels to families in need and going above and beyond... and no, I am not a teacher.
I do feel for the children, they don’t know if they are coming or going and the parents who don’t know if their child will be in school from 1 day to the next. But these are difficult times for everyone, certainly not least for those who have lost loved ones.

My 13yr old granddaughter tested positive yesterday..only has mild symptoms..but it's the whole knock on effect..her class is now isolating, as is her older sister,her mum,d.i.l is a nurse practitioner and much needed at work ,my son has his own business and was due back from Glasgow last night but now has to stay up there until the 23rd as he needs to run the job which he couldn't if he came back home..as he wouldn't be able to go back up there...
All of my grandchildren had so much time at home due to this virus..one who should be doing her GCSE's this year is so worried..

It's certainly in the news now, with Wales closing secondary schools one week early but In England the threat of suing if they do that, although mass testing is proposed in the areas with highest rates of infection.
Meanwhile my DGD's primary school has been lucky and escaped: she's not had to isolate and we've heard of no cases.
Who could have thought that putting youngsters, who are virtually young adults, into bubbles of up to 100, knowing they travel to and from school, meeting with those outside their bubbles and return to their homes, same scenario, wouldn't lead to a rise in infections.

I work in a large secondary school with 6th form in a Tier 3 area and we’re following public health England advice, keeping students in totally separate year group bubbles, limited movement, always sitting in same seats in lessons, wearing masks when moving around. Staff keeping their distance. Had low numbers of positive cases that look like they have been transmitted from contacts outside school and no obvious in school transmissions. Positive students close contacts in school ie those seated around them and any social contacts at breaks and travelling to school are immediately contacted and isolated for 14 days. We’ve only had to ask a few small groups to isolate not full year groups. If it’s managed properly it seems to work and I feel perfectly safe.

This subject is the bane of my life at the moment- they should close schools & colleges not keep them open for 'babysitting' for working parents- my grandson 15 caught covid at school, (tested positive) then so did younger his sister (at same school) and his little brother (8yrs) and his early baby sister- and his mum, as it went round family! Only one negative was his dad (my eldest son) so he was one looking after them all, as my DiL got it the worst of them all- they ALL were self isolating for 2 wks and not back in school over 3 wks as so poorly! Ive been so worried for them all as my GC 3 of them have other health conditions and the baby was premature- my son has copd too so ive been so panicked by this! Also my own youngest son 17 is still in college and got a 'bug' of some kind(not covid thank God) after 3 days attended in sept.Now hes had (been forced) to go back, by college even though hes got underlying health problems and severe asthma, as Gov't says they must attend education- its bloody ridiculous!! Using kids like cannon fodder is what i call it!

MrsT63

I work in a large secondary school with 6th form in a Tier 3 area and we’re following public health England advice, keeping students in totally separate year group bubbles, limited movement, always sitting in same seats in lessons, wearing masks when moving around. Staff keeping their distance. Had low numbers of positive cases that look like they have been transmitted from contacts outside school and no obvious in school transmissions. Positive students close contacts in school ie those seated around them and any social contacts at breaks and travelling to school are immediately contacted and isolated for 14 days. We’ve only had to ask a few small groups to isolate not full year groups. If it’s managed properly it seems to work and I feel perfectly safe.

Its all very well keeping to their bubbles in school but then once the gates are open they all go home together and get on the bus en masse.
I actually think the government isn't too fussed about whether students and school children get the bug as they are rarely more than mildly ill. The potential problem is with those who they could pass it on to.

I have four grandchildren, in four different schools, two primary and two secondary. Only one of them has had one day off during the term. The other three have had no cases in their schools. I think most schools have handled it extremely well, but they have no control over what the children do out of school. Parents find it difficult too, its hard to tell the kids they can’t have a friend round, when they are sitting next to that friend all day in school!

I really don’t think it’s just secondary schools though .
My 7 year old grandson was sent home with his whole class to isolate because there was a case in his bubble. Within a week, 5 other classes were also sent home and many of the teachers including the head and deputy were contacted by track and trace and told to self isolate.
The school has now closed completely . They are finding that many of these little ones are testing positive but with no symptoms at all.

BassGrammy I think all schools have tried really hard to keep the children safe but unfortunately it depends where the school is . My grandsons school is in Epping where the figures are rocketing .

Yes Mrs T you can give me all the 'spiel'the college did but it changes nothing!- my sons college has had a few cases of covid they shut a whole block down- But- the 'class bubbles' go home and mix with other family members- who've been in 'other bubbles' at school or work, or have working parents, some key or frontline workers, so bring back into school/college potential covid or other sickness bugs- its got to stop!! Kids of all ages are still helping spread this (even if they're asymptomatic and don't know) they can't keep using schools etc as 'babysitting' so parents can work - they could at least stop kids of parents who are at home from attending if nothing else- or older kids/teenagers who don't need 'babysitting' by teachers/tutors! It might cut the covid spread dramatically! ?

I’m in a bubble with my daughter and her family which includes my grandchildren age 8 and 11. Granddaughter at high school has only missed school through isolation once and that was due to a teacher testing positive. Their regime is working really well. Grandson at primary school has just gone back after his 3rd time in isolation. Out of 15 teachers 12 have had the virus. I take my grandson and pick up from school and abide by the rules set out by the school, social distancing, wearing a mask and going in one gate and leaving by another but there are lots of parents who stand in groups talking, no masks. let their other siblings run around together and walk in the out gate when you are leaving because they can’t be bothered walking a few yards further. The school can only do so much, it’s down to the parents to show some sense. They are the first to moan when child has to isolate and they have to take time off work. I’m praying neither has to isolate anytime next week otherwise I’m on my own for Christmas.

My son's inlaws live with their daughter, a teacher, in Manchester. The daughter caught covid at school and took it home to her parents. Both are over 80, caught it and were hospitalised. Fortunately they survived and are now home. I am not sure why pupils education is considered more important than people's health. Kids can study at home.

I see secondary school pupils going about nearly every day. Absolutely no social distancing or masks in stores or outside. Have an open space near me and the kids in neighbourhood are all out playing football, again absolutely no social distancing by older ones. Parents know what is going on but just don't
bother. 16-18 year olds are expected to wear masks within school but once out of that environment all precautions are totally disregarded.No wonder school aged chikdren are spreading it.

If schools cannot be closed then why cant children be tested once a week? My GD 5 years old has to isolate till just before Christmas. My 9 year old GS still goes to school. My DS works & DiL stays home with the 5yr old. Totally crazy as they could be spreading the virus by not having to isolate with my GD. All this because a boy in GD class tested positive! Happy Christmas for all I think not. Cannot wait for my turn, though long way off, for the vaccine!

Forgot to say why cannot all school children wear masks at school?

Some schools/colleges locally (north west- tier3) are closing for xmas on 17th, but goodness knows what will happen when they reopen in early january when loads of people/families have mixed over xmas! (Not us 3 in our house thank God, were staying home &having no visitors!) But then college will expect my son to back as his attendance was so low since he got ill in sept. We all 3 in our house have underlying health problems. And im so worried for all my GC having to go back to school in jan too. (9GC, 6 school age) I don't understand why the gov't don't consider it a priority to vaccinate all under 18's earlier- especially the ones with disabilities/health conditions- if theyre in education, (schools/colleges/universities) they should ALL be vaccinated higher on the list as the potential to spread covid is immense?