Back to school

[Gemini]

Schools around here go back this week.
I know London schools will not return yet and perhaps some in Tier 4 areas.
For now at least ours are going back.

For my GS1 this means a big move. He starts his new school tomorrow. A school which he has not been able to visit due to Covid. There is no place for him at the school 5 minutes walk from his new house, so he is going to school in York, 3 miles away. Until they move house however this means a 30 to 40 minute drive to and from school each weekday.
I have offered to have him stay overnight here on his usual after-school night until they move. This will save DD or SIL one mid afternoon and one morning drive in each week. GS seems very excited about a weekly sleepover! It is a very long time since I have done a school run at the beginning of the day

[Daisy]

Oh Gem, the frustration of having a school within 5 minutes walk, but not being allowed to go to it.

Have his parents put his name down for a transfer to the local school if a vacancy arises? My DS1 and DIL did that when GS2 couldn't attend the local school his brother already went to, and when our new neighbours arrived across the road they had a similar problem. Their older son was able to go to the village primary but the younger one who was in Year R had to travel 4 or 5 miles to another school. I think he got a place at his brother's school after about 18 months. It's a crazy situation! And the council paid for a taxi for him each day, making it even crazier!

At least your GS1 has got the sleepover with you each week to look forward to.

[Oma]

GS1 will be going back as far as I know , well so far unless they decide on full lock down again , his year are first then the younger ones in a week or two I think .

He will enjoy his sleep over but its a shame he cant go to the school so close , new friends he makes around him most likely will go to that school .
Beauty is children do adapt and he is a very bright boy so will have no trouble fitting in im sure

[Plantaholic]

I agree, they have a good case for a transfer.

[Gemini]

I'm not sure if they have asked for him to be considered for a place at the local school if one becomes available. I think they won't want him to have yet another move if he settles at this school, and the school he is going to is a 'better' school than the local one.
My thoughts on primary schools are that it is best for children to go to a local one. Less travel and as Oma says friends live locally. They did plan to send GS there, had there been a place.
One of the main reasons for the house move is for him to be in the catchment area for a very good secondary school, which he certainly wasn't where they are moving from.

He went in fine this morning. It's no small thing going to completely new school that you haven't been able to see at all before Day 1, so we are proud of him.

[Nanto2girls]

Not having any school age grandchildren, i really don't know what the situation is in our area.

[Daisy]

To me it seems crazy that a child can’t go to their local school. It doesn’t help with forming close communities when they have to, or opt to go further afield. It’s not just the children who don’t have local friends, it’s their families as well. They also often have to travel a long way for secondary school as well and that got worse when the very large comprehensives were formed . I would have hated going to a school with 1,000 + pupils. 😨

[Gemini]

I was shocked when DD told me there was no place for GS1 at the local school I must admit, Daisy. I had assumed he would go there as they can walk round, and it a 5 minutes drive for me, another bonus.

[Nana]

My two GSs who are brothers, were due to start back today but returning after the hols was cancelled last minute last night. My other two GC, brother & sister started back today. Both Northern schools, (40mins drive apart) but different rules. I feel for them all, as they don't know what's happening.

I see Boris is making another broadcast tonight at 8pm. Gem, I hope your GS enjoyed his new school.

[Gemini]

Yes, I heard there is to be an announcement at 8pm Nana. Lockdown do we all presume?

[Gemini]

From today all English schools are closed until after February half term, apart from children of key workers and other exceptions.
My GS1 got one day in! I am glad that he had that day though, like a visit and trial day for him. He enjoyed it and made friends, so it won't seem so strange when he starts properly with everyone else.
In typical GS1 style, although he liked it he was delighted with another lockdown -apart from missing out on his weekly sleepovers which he had been looking forward to a lot. I have promised that even if they have moved house by then, he can have one after school sleepover!
DD is less delighted, they all found it hard last time. GS is a very reluctant homeschooler.

GS2 wasn't at school during the first lockdown. This time their family have 2 homeschoolers. GD is very motivated and self sufficient though, which makes it easier.

[Daisy]

I was shocked when DD told me there was no place for GS1 at the local school I must admit, Daisy. I had assumed he would go there as they can walk round, and it a 5 minutes drive for me, another bonus.

Gem, it’s a crazy system. There is a rule of maximum class sizes of 30 , which is laudable in itself, but is devastating for families like your GS1 who move into an area. The only exception is cared for children, and for our GS2 when they moved into the catchment area of the school GS1 already attended, he couldn’t go there. Even though it was a couple of minutes walk, and he had his SEN sibling already there.

Mind you I also think a Reception class of 30 is too many, but that’s a soapbox for another day. 🤔

[Daisy]

Apparently both my GDs are unhappy. GD1’s school had an Inset day yesterday so she was at home. She really wanted to go. GD2 did go, and had a wonderful day and was so looking forward to seeing her friends again, so the one day was a bit of a teaser for her.