School Days, the Last Weeks, Covid Tests and Changes

I don’t think I’ve written a school post in a while, but then it seems like the kids haven’t spent that much time at school because of Covid, lockdowns and self-isolations. But these are important milestone school days for us and I had to jot down my thoughts during these last weeks of school.

Star Has Left School

Just a couple of years ago I had big hopes. Star had managed to get through mainstream school right up to her GCSEs despite her disabilities and having to lose so much time because of being in hospital and in the halo. I was excited, this girl was going to complete school. Then Covid hit and everything went wrong. Instead of studying for her GCSEs she was expected to work at home, something she had never been good at. We had a home tutor when she was younger and couldn’t go to school, and Star had been a pain then, this time it was even worse, because her home tutor was on the computer and she didn’t want to take part. She didn’t want to go back to school, she feared that she would bring Covid home to me while I was vulnerable. They made special arrangements for her to be in a small class with a few students who were all in the same position. They kept their distance from each other and masks on. She did her exams like this but gave up after doing the main ones. We are waiting for her results but I don’t know how well she has done. I’m trying not to see it as having my dreams dashed because it’s her life. She has the opportunity to re-take her GCSEs at college starting September. She will also be doing something she really loves, looking after exotic animals. It may not have been the end of school I was hoping for, but she still has her whole life ahead of her.

Boo Has Had Some Bad School Days.

I really feel for Boo. This year she chose the GCSEs she’ll be doing next year and she’s feeling happy. But the last year has been a nightmare. She has suffered severe anxiety and refused to go to school. She has been a little better at logging on and doing work during lock down, but actually attending school was pretty bad. Her last school days have been a nightmare. We worked with the school and at first she was allowed in the SEND room with Star and the other vulnerable children. But, it wasn’t a long term solution. So she was integrated back into her own class and it didn’t go well. So, a new plan was formed, and because she had missed so much education it was our last option. She was moved down a few classes. At first she was worried that she’d be in with the naughty kids, but the class she was put in was perfect for her. They are quiet and well behaved. The work is of a lower grade, but at least she is back to learning, and back in the classroom.

Then Covid struck again. First it was a lateral flow test that had all the children in the year bubble sent home. A day later and PCR test had come back negative, so they were all called back into school. Another child had a positive LFT. This was done under supervision as it’s been shown that a lot of children are faking tests just to get time off school. Sadly the PCR came back positive this time so now Boo is in self-isolation until next Friday. It’s all pretty worrying. I know Boo has little contact with other children in the school so I’m not so worried that she will get Covid, but it’s scary just how many positive tests I’m seeing lately.

The Little Man’s Final Year in Primary

I started blogging seriously when my little man was born and the past 11 years have flown by. He went to a lovely nursery and then into the same school as the girls. We were lucky to get a place as we moved house in September and I’d not managed to get a school place for weeks after we moved, all the schools here were full! The Little Man did not fair well in his first primary and I had to take him out after he ended up in A&E after being bullied at school. We made the decision to find him a new school and in the mean time I taught him at home.

His new primary school has been amazing and he’s love being there. It’s a bit further away so Dad has to take him in the car, but it’s a lovely school and he has thrived. During lockdown he logged on to his online classes every day and completed all his work. He has done really really well and I’ve just had his school report which is excellent. (Apart from p.e. but he did break his arm and have to miss out on a lot.)

I am sad that we can’t be there to take part in the end of year celebrations. It’s a big thing having your child leaving primary. The school has always put on the most excellent plays and concerts for parents, as well as craft days and parent days. I’ve missed all that so much the last 15 months. And that’s it, because you don’t get it so much in Secondary School.

He’s going to the same school as his sisters which is a little worrying as it’s the same school I took him out of a few years ago. (It’s an all through school, from yr 1 to yr 11) I have had a lot of help with the girls though, so I’m hoping that they will understand my Little Man too.

Covid and School Days

A couple of weeks ago I signed my Little Man up to a week of activities at his new school when the school has closed for other pupils. Now, I’m not so sure it’s a good idea. As I said before, Covid is rife in all schools in my area at the moment. The Little Man’s school also has several cases, but the bubbles are really tight so he hasn’t been affected. They finish school 10 days before we go away on holiday. If The Little Man goes to the summer school and ends up having to self-isolate then our holiday is kaput! (And it’s one we had booked for last year so we’ve waited a long time.) It’s only a holiday, but it means a lot to me, especially now my children are growing up and I don’t know how much longer we will be able to enjoy kid based holidays like this with all three of them.

So, do I send the Little Man to Summer School and risk our holiday? It’s also got me thinking, if our holiday is so close to the end of school, then how many people will be there breaking the rules and taking their holiday anyway despite being told to self-isolate. Me and Graham are both double vaccinated, but Star isn’t and she’s vulnerable with underlying conditions and at an age where it could be dangerous. People are at the stage where they just want their freedom back and believe that all elderly and vulnerable people are vaccinated so they can do what they want. After all it doesn’t affect them so much if they catch Covid. Yes, I agree we need to learn to live alongside it, but some are still at danger, a lot of children have underlying conditions. It has killed off thousands of our elderly people which is a real tragedy. But, I can’t help thinking the unnecessary loss of just one life is a tragedy, no matter how it’s caused.

Our only option really is to do our best to keep our family safe, and make a vow to do all we can to not spread this to others.

Are you happy that this school year is nearly over?