School’s Back for Summer?

As told to Charlotte Coulson

Monday sees the tentative opening of schools for some children, and families across the country are either punching the air or feeling anxious. Ahead of the reopening Monday, Newgate parents share their thoughts and whether they’ll be sending their children back or keeping them at home: 

Sophie Morello, Associate Partner:

“I’m very much looking forward to the nursery opening next week after weeks of juggling childcare and work! However, with all the reports and stats about the thousands of parents that don’t deem it safe to send children back yet, I can’t help but feel I’m being irresponsible somehow. Rationally, I know it’s probably media hype exacerbating parent’s fears and I will follow the scientific advice rather than the herd. Fundamentally, I don’t have a choice!”

Nina Dowell, Chief Operating Officer:

“This is a difficult one and will be a very personal choice I know. My view on sending the kids back to school is simple – the minute that parliament returns to the Commons and the Commons debating chamber is packed to the rafters, that is the time when I will send my kids to school as that is when I I know it will be safe to do.  I am not going to do that before because it is not proven to be safe and there is no way that the kids will socially distance.  Another factor behind my decision is that I’m caring for my mother who is 81 years old and I I just can’t take the risk of the kids coming home with something, passing it to me and her - knowingly or unknowingly.   

“I am also one of those parents who can work and have the kids online doing their work in their own rooms as they are independent – I don’t have to home school them, thank god.  I’m sure that if I had to do that on top of doing my job, I would send them back at the first opportunity – perhaps!”

Charlotte Coulson, Account Director:

“My husband qualifies as a key worker, which initially meant our daughter was still able to attend her usual nursery. But when they had to close due to too few staff, we’ve been juggling working with full time childcare. We could have opted to send her to another nursery within the borough, but for us that was too much of a risk as we know and trust the nursery she’s at. Similarly, with reopening, we’ve had regular updates from the nursery team and trust that they will be doing everything to keep the children safe. Ultimately though I don’t think we have much of a choice!”

Gareth Jones, Associate Partner:

“In our case, we’ve decided to send our five-year-old son back to school next week. It’s not been an entirely clear-cut decision. I’ve looked at the advice and evidence available and it’s not conclusive and some of it is a bit confusing. For example, the SAGE guidance isn’t particularly accessible or easy to understand. Overall, I think the health risks for children his age are very low, although the risk of transmission to me and the rest of my family is potentially a bigger issue – and whatever measures are put in place, five-year-olds don’t really practice social distancing, so it’s on my mind. However, if we wait until we’re 100% sure about the risks, we’ll be waiting a long time, and it is getting to the stage where the absence of schooling is beginning to concern me. We’ve been trying our best on home schooling but I think the most important thing he’s been missing is the socialisation with other kids his age. And yes, my own sanity and the need for some peace and quiet is a motivating factor too. It’s been a tough 10 weeks!”

Ian Morris, Partner:

“Our two-year old’s nursery, along with others in the county, has pushed back its opening date another two weeks until June 15^th. We were quite relieved by this in a way, after 10 weeks of lockdown the thought of sending him out into the wide world felt a bit unnerving.

“We’ll send him back as soon as it opens though. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to keep toddlers 100% compliant with the guidelines but the measures the nursery has put in place seem to be sensible so if the Government says it’s OK, it’s OK by us. My concerns now are really about how he will find the nursery environment with a lot of different rules in place, and also the additional likelihood of him picking up the virus and particularly what that will mean for seeing grandparents once they are allowed to have contact.”

Simone Fassom, Associate Partner:

“Throughout lockdown, Eisa’s school has been exceptional in delivering virtual learning. His teachers have been on hand throughout the day and he has remained engaged and is definitely learning.  This has led me to have confidence in the arrangements that have been put in place for when he returns.  We have had regular contact with the school and I am satisfied that the arrangements have been well thought out. One aspect I really like is that the teachers are planning to carry out a large proportion of lessons outdoors.  Given the weather currently, the children will benefit from the fresh air, space and sense of freedom which they perhaps haven’t been able to enjoy so much in lockdown.  

“Parents have also been given the choice as to whether their children return or not.  For those who have decided to keep their children at home, the virtual learning will continue.  This has made the decision to send Eisa much easier as it means we have the option to return to home-schooling should it not go as smoothly as I’m hoping.  I’m not sure how many parents have chosen to send their children back to school, but of Eisa’s friends, there is a significant number returning.”