Which year groups should return to school first?

[twosoups1972]

I read somewhere a few weeks ago that they would prioritise Years 10 and 12 to return to school first which seems sensible.

But then I heard later that Year 6 would be the first to return to school. Why?? I know it's sad that they haven't had their end of primary school rituals but surely older children studying for public exams next year should have priority?

[NuffSaidSam]

Year 6 because it's a transition year. As year 6 and year 10 and 12 are not generally at the same school it's not an either/or question.

It's not year 6 OR year 10 and 12.

It's all of them.

Year 6 take priority at primary schools. Year 10 and 12 take priority at scondary schools.

[PianoTuner567]

What happens in areas where they don’t transition at Year 6 though? Some areas are three-tier.

[GrapefruitsAreNotTheOnlyFruit]

I don't understand this either. My daughter didn't learn anything towards the end of year 6. They just sort of gave up teaching them and put on a play instead. I would have thought year 5 would be the most important at primary.

[noenergy]

I agree year 5 as this is an important year for 11 plus prep

[MrsSpenserGregson]

My opinion is probably controversial and people will hate me for it, but here goes.

I think it's worse for the current Y10 and Y12 students than it is for Year 11 and Year 13, who at least were at the very end of their courses and therefore a reliable, evidence-based teacher-predicted grade was relatively easy to produce (I have a child in Year 11, and a husband who teaches both Y11 and Y13).

The current Y10 and Y12 students are, I think, pretty f**d tbh . I think it's too late to salvage things for them. Even if they can go back to school on 1st June, how on earth will their classes actually be managed? You'd only be able to have a few students in each classroom. In core subjects (Maths, English, Science etc) you simply wouldn't have enough teachers to teach them all at once, given how spaced out they would need to be (and let's not even get started on the fact that within each year group in year 10 there will be different academic streams or sets) ... so inevitably the students would be in school part-time, with the teachers repeating the same lessons over and over again to different groups of students. I just don't see how it can work.

I think Year 10 and Year 12 should study at home with as much remote teacher input as possible, with the expectation that their final grades will be allocated by the teachers in the same way that Year 11 and Year 13 have been, but obviously with an absolutely massive allowance made for all the education they will have missed.

Year 9 and 11 should be the priority now ... they have 2 years to go until they sit GCSEs and A Levels, so we have time to make sure they are as unaffected as possible.

Re primary schools: I think Years 4 and 5 should take priority over Year 6.

[NuffSaidSam]

Piano I suppose they do it differently? I imagine schools/LEA's will be able to do as they see fit.

I think the year 6 transition is more to do with preparedness for secondary school from a psychological perspective rather than an educational one. It's more than just end of year fun time and a play. It's a big change and it's important for them to be able to say goodbye.

[twosoups1972]

I think Year 10 and Year 12 should study at home with as much remote teacher input as possible

But that largely depends on what schools are providing. Round here, I have heard of many local schools offering virtual teaching. What are they offering at my Year 12's school? Nothing. They are being expected to self learn the syllabus.

[dancingbadger]

I have a dc in year 6 and whilst it would be really sad for him to miss out on all the fun end of primary school stuff, I'm more concerned about him missing out on the transition days into his new school.
That being said he seems quite happy being at home he's a bit gutted about missing out on the residential trip and end of year play but understands that everyone's in the same boat.

[nellodee]

I could easily and safely teach a group of year 12s maths. I'm not so sure it would be that easy if they were studying Beauty Therapy at a college. Are people only thinking about 17 year olds returning to education if they are doing A-levels? (Genuine question, not meaning to be goady).

[ABucketOfShells]

Years 10&11 and sixth formers. But not this academic year.

[darceybusselllovesbrussells]

@noenergy unless the school is private, they wouldn't be preparing kids for the 11plus. I'm assuming parents paying for tutoring are still accessing it online?

[Sunshineandalltherainbows]

I would like my reception aged child to have a few more weeks in eyfs rather than moving straight to year 1. It’s going to be a huge jump for them.
As a teacher I would like to get my year 5 class back in ASAP. Not so worried about my year 4 son I think years2-4 are the least impacted at Primary (although obviously it goes without saying there are going to be many that are extremely disadvantaged).

[Itisasecret]

Year 10 and 12 they are GCSE and A Level students. Year 6 are not a priority. It will be year 5, because they have SATS next year. I saw that on edu Twitter. Year 6 will not be as they will not have transition as it stand now anyway.

[Barbie222]

Wasn't the year 6 chosen because of all the children at primary, they are the most able to social distance?

[Rosehip10]

What is the stupidity about year 6 being the priority? Class visits to secondary schools won't happen.

Any end of term stuff, disco/final assembly/party/school trip or residential etc - won't happen.

If classes are split into groups for attending school then no guarantee of friendship groups being in at the same time.

Pointless.

[NuffSaidSam]

'I saw that on edu Twitter'

That will be cast iron fact then

[Alb1]

Havnt year 12 normally already nearly finished though? I used to work at a collage and term finished quite quickly after May half term there, and as exams have been cancelled can they go back anyway? I don’t have a problem with them going back so please don’t take it as an attack on year 12 going back, I just thought by June their year was basically done anyway?

[Rosehip10]

@darceybusselllovesbrussells Several counties in England have 11+ as part of the state system (Wirral, Bucks, Kent etc etc)

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

If I was in charge...

Yrs 10& 12 back as soon as they can to limit the impact, followed by Yr9 for Secondary. Split classes (and remember more teachers available if younger years not in school)

In Primary... Yr6 to give them some closure. Then Yr5 and Reception. Then Yr1. Youngest pupils to allow parents who need to work to do so, as while the older primary children do need an adult around, they don't need as much attention.

But I'm not an educational expert.

[onemouseplace]

Years 5, 10 and 12 should be the priority to go back to proper teaching as soon as possible.

Year 6 can get their transition bits done in a week towards the end of term.

[Pieceofpurplesky]

Primary will return before secondary according to news etc. I think year six as they will then be able to learn about forms for the next year and possibly visit their high schools - which will open later for year 10/12

[Itisasecret]

@NuffSaidSam it generally has more of a clue than mumsnet.

[NuffSaidSam]

Neither Twitter or Mumsnet are the place to look for facts on when/how schools are going to go back. It's all just conjecture.

(Also Instagram, Facebook, the newspapers and your neighbour Pam's hairdresser's son who's wife's a teacher).

[DippyAvocado]

Very little, if any, transition work for Year 6 is done in their primary schools. It would be useful if they could have some kind of transition visit to their secondary schools, perhaps in small groups.

I think 10 and 12 first for secondary. In primary, having one year group back actually doesn't help with social distancing at all as you spend all your time with the same class. Having a part-time rota would probably be more effective for minimising numbers who are together at any one time. Key worker and vulnerable children would have to be in as they are now.

[Kidneybingo]

I'd have 10s and 12s, year split in half. First half in for a week, and then second in for a week. Teachers repeat the week and can set decent home learning with kids while they are in, for their week at home. Same plan for y7-9 when possible. Might need less timetable disruption, so specialist subject teachers are still with classes.