Pupils have become less anxious during lockdown

[Mischance]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53884401

I found this article very interesting. The researchers had expected pupils to be more anxious than before because of all the uncertainty around coronavirus dangers. But they found the opposite.

It makes me think further about the stress that the current school system places children under - and the edicts from above that place teachers under stress, which is then conveyed to the children.

The home learning that the children have done has been freed from these edicts and has been more imaginative; and more like real education.

It may be that "blended learning" (i.e. a mix of home and in-school learning) might be a way to encourage pupils to make progress without the heavy anxiety load that they currently have. Teachers have been freed from the requirement to provide endless statistics and have been able to use their imaginations and professional skills to make learning more interesting and stress-free.

Just as there may be lessons to take forward from coronavirus in the rest of society (e.g. more home working leading to higher productivity and less planet pollution as people go to and from work) so it may be that this hiatus on schools functioning "normally" might lead to positive changes and benefits.

Provision would need to be made for those children who might be described as "disadvantaged" as they are the ones who would miss out from a relaxing of the rigid school system.

Some of the stuff that primary children are required to learn is frankly nonsense. Who amongst us knows (or indeed cares) what a fronted adverbial is; or has had cause to use that knowledge in their real lives?

[AyraKirkpatrick]

Thank you for sharing!

[EmmanuelleMakro]

He found it very interesting in the summer term that some pupils (notable the autistic boys) flourished in remote learning (50% Zoom) without the distraction of other children -whereas the ADHD boys went awol and returned to school in September having done nothing since March/very mixed results.

[KnowingMeKnowingYule]

As a teacher I can think of at least 5 pupils who flourished in lockdown 1 and found new confidence and happiness they didn't have before. I can think of one child who was worried about the virus and started to feel down about life in general. Upon return in September I can think of many who moaned about it and didn't want to be there. I definitely think there are a good size minority of children for whom lockdown 1 was a respite to school based anxiety.

[Graciebobcat]

I think being in school school isn't particularly fun at the moment with all the additional rules, stressed out teachers and a background of underlying constant anxiety about illness, and none of the fun things that usually balance out the lessons allowed to happen.

[KnowingMeKnowingYule]

@Graciebobcat

I think being in school school isn't particularly fun at the moment with all the additional rules, stressed out teachers and a background of underlying constant anxiety about illness, and none of the fun things that usually balance out the lessons allowed to happen.

Totally agree.

[inquietant]

School.is a very stressful place, so this doesn't surprise me really.

[premmie09]

My teenaged DS studies better on lockdown, without the social stresses and pressure to do and say the right thing in front of friends.

I do agree that being in school during Covid is awful though. My DS' school couldn't do music ensembles, school play, choir, certain sports etc. Just not the same and adds to the stress, so it's not too surprising he's happier at home.

[BelleSausage]

We’ve had a massive upsurge in anxious pupils and school refusers- especially girls in Yr10 and 11.

I do think that there is a great divide between motivated kids who do better with less pressure (especially the social pressure of school) and those who need more one to one.

I have pointed out before that our vulnerable pupils (because there were so few of them in school) got personalised learning and support because we could focus on them all day.

I reckon kids who can keep their grades up should be able to do a remote or part remote timetable.

[Allusernamestakenbutthis]

Yes, my younger son prefers home learning and doesn’t want to go back to school because he says kids are mean. I agree tbh kids are so mean these days but we are all so complacent and say that just how it is. Well why should it be?
He is yr 5 so I’m not sure permanent home learning will go down well (I plan to send him to a private secondary) but I find the lessons pointless as my son is behind in English and I really would prefer to tailor his lessons. (Teacher is lovely, I have no complaints in general).

Older son struggled mentally during first lockdown, but thrived academically.

If I had a choice I prefer primaries to stay closed tbh and secondaries open. I get gov says parents need to go to work though, but at least we should have the option if schools do reopen but restrictions continue?

[DianaT1969]

My two nephews thrived in lockdown. We laugh at one, because he enthusiastically took over the kitchen for his lessons and is territorial - treating them like a job and sitting at his computer on time, ready to go. The rest of the time he is reading and playing with the dog. You couldn't meet a happier boy now. He didn't like the noise and lack of discipline in the classroom.

[Icanseegreenshoots]

That is not my experience at all.

My teens are desperate to get back into school with their friends, teachers, routines and sports.

Maybe for children with bad mental health this is helping, for the rest this is a huge and awful never ending nightmare.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

My then 8yo hated school. Not so much school work, but school itself. The teachers had to peel her off me I the playground regularly (though reported she seemed happy enough once settled). She has no confidence in herself. Only one friend.
During Lockdown one, she got worse initially, for example she wouldn't go within about 5m of another non family member, she wouldn't talk to anyone except a few family members). She has always been reluctant on video calls (we've been using them for years when living abroad). But then, she started to find she was good at things. She could learn stuff at her pace. No reading schemes, just books she wanted to read.

She returned to school in September a lot more confident. She's doing fine at home so far. Luckily for her, she's not at one of the schools with long live lessons, but at one using prerecorded lessons, so again she does stuff at her pace, and no camera anxiety. She just about copes with an hour long Zoom Cubs meeting once a week, and the off call to grandparents. Grandparents accept her luckily. I think she would be fine with weekly school video call, but not much more than that. It would send her anxiety through the roof.

[kitschplease]

Anxiety levels for my daughter with ASD are so much better during lockdown. That's about the only plus point.