Most teens do understand the risks
AS my 15-year-old headed into school for her first day of term on Monday, I had mixed feelings.
It’s exciting to see my teenager going back into a classroom with her friends and an actual, honest-togoodness qualified teacher. But it’s also worrying. Is sending Flea back to school now going to put her at risk?
Flea’s school has done a really thorough job of doing all the risk assessments and putting in place policies to minimise the risk.
The new rules include everything from a one-way system in the corridors to keeping students in year
group bubbles with their own lunchtime, toilets and outside areas.
They have also hired new cleaning staff who will be cleaning the school daily, as well as misting corridors. On days that kids do PE, they’re to wear PE kit all day, to avoid changing rooms.
But it’s a shame our teens will miss out on school trips, outward bound courses and school productions.
On the first day, Flea texted me in a panic after two hours to say nobody was social distancing and nobody was following the rules. Teenagers are hormonal and impulsive, and they will follow the rules perfectly one day, and be found snogging their boyfriend on the tennis court the next.
School isn’t going to be perfect, because people aren’t perfect. But I reminded my daughter that she’s responsible for her choices and she should use her judgment if something felt unsafe to her.
I think she took my advice on board because, for the first time I can remember, she’s been in the library at lunchtime every day studying, rather than going to the dining hall.