What happens to years 7,8,9 secondary school

The available evidence is that the younger the child the less likely they are to catch covid-19 and pass it on. If you accept that, then there does seem some logic in primary school pupils going back first in the belief that in the intervening time the virus will burn itself out more in elder children. In the context of only dealing with the virus, not children's overall education and the ability for elder children to be taught to some extent virtually then it seems a logic plan. As long as you have faith in the belief that younger children are less likely to catch and spread the virus!!!!

No live teaching here.

Fair number of DC don't even have regular access to a suitable device for online learning. They are reliant on printed workpacks. School is trying to get devices out to students but (rightly imo) prioritised Y10 and Y12.

DD initially had a video call running with friends while they were doing the work, but that seems to have petered out. I'm worried she is getting very isolated.

@cooperage not at all - not a single proper lesson. Just a load of homework with a few supporting resources.

I think in the private school sector it's markedly different - but there again they need to demonstrate value for money given the fees they charge!

Do your DC in those years get much live teaching via Zoom or Teams?

I'm finding DS is managing ok (just about) with doing work they are set on his own, but he's really missing social contact with teachers and classmates. The school seem unwilling though, so I'm wondering if that other state schools are the same.

DD won't let me help her even though I'm willing to do so.... although I am nearing the point at which I can't help with maths.

@RedskyAtnight my year 11 is the same. So bored she's now helping her sister. It's hard for them with nothing to do for such a long time. But she definitely remembers more than me about science and maths! I'm about as much use as a chocolate fireplace with those subjects

I've assumed the lack of mention means they definitely won't be back this term. Which is good for DD (Y9) as the uncertainty was not helping. (well good that she knows what is happening; not good she won't be back in school)

Her school is setting work according to the usual timetable (GCSE work as they follow a 3 year KS4). But she's basically having to teach herself following online videos/guidance rather than being taught so it's heavy going. The school has said that the good thing about having a 3 year KS4 is that it does allow for lots of time to recap!

I admit to letting her get on with it (because she's old enough that I can) but I've now realised that she needs more input if this is going to continue for another 9 weeks. (and she was frankly just finding it a bit lonely!) I've therefore started juggling wfh with small amounts of homeschooling. She's studying a bunch of stuff that I have never studied as well, so my ability to give specific help is somewhat limited depending on the subject. I did suggest to DS (Y11, now nothing to do) that he could help her in the subjects they have/had in common. So he's volunteered to do her physics test on Wednesday (not quite what I meant, and ironically the first time he's ever voluntarily done work!)

Mine is the same @Takingabreakagain (although she hasn't yet started GCSE work). I guess the issue is that they're the ones more likely to hang around in their groups after school and start to congregate 'en masse' in shopping centres etc...

Exams missed so no proper consolidation via revision.

A disaster really and that's assuming they will be back at school properly in September. What happens if there has to be another lockdown because of a winter spike in cases?

My dd is year 9 and has already chosen her options as they teach the GCSE course over three years. She is getting work to do from school but apart from maths she says it's not new stuff. There's no requirement to send anything in and nothing, again except in maths, is being marked.
I feel like these year groups have been forgotten about - old enough to stay home alone and no exams. She would go back to school today if she could - her choice (as well as mine)

It's not a word I am often prompted to use. The discussion started between the siblings and escalated to include me.

Maybe I'll just drop the conversation at the moment and revisit it in a couple of years!

Well my DD is in Year 9 and hasn't received any teaching from school since 23rd March. Lots of lessons (just more homework effectively). If they don't go back this side of the summer hols that basically half of a school year lost at a point in their education when they should be ramping up to start GCSEs - particularly an issue with subjects like maths.

No there's been absolutely no mention of them in any of the information given out in recent days - they are the overlooked. The Year 9s have already been subjected to the sudden leap in KS2 learning expectations imposed upon them so late in their primary school careers, so really unfair for them to miss out again.

I think it needs to be all children back to school or none.

And why so important to send the little ones back when most children elsewhere in the developed world don't start school until they're six or seven?