Are we just lucky or is this usual? Maths GCSE

My ds went to a school with a very mixed catchment, and this sort of thing was part of their initiative to support kids who didn't get support at home. So priority given to fsm, although open to everyone.

My school in a deprived area always ran revision classes over Easter and May half term and then revision during registration time with breakfast as most of ours didn't get breakfast at home and revision in an additional period six from January.

It made a difference to those that attended but most of the ones we were attempting to target didn't take part, either because they didn't want to, had to pick up siblings from the Primary school, had other caring responsibilities or already had a job after school to help out at home which is why we did morning sessions at during the normal school day too.

You are very lucky ( and/or the school is very worried, in which case maybe you aren't so lucky).

@Hellocatshome I know it's not a funny situation for you but I actually laughed out loud at your throwing the kitchen sink expression. I just imagined a deputy head throwing a kitchen sink at a group of Y11s who are messing about and not revising.

My DS has an optional class after school everyday- an extra period in every subject, they can chose which ones to go to. They're well attended, particularly maths and English. No Saturdays but very grateful, and not normal here.

Yes thats what they call it at DSs school and we are in a deprived area. Honestly they have thrown the kitchen sink at them in year 11 after practically ignoring them for the previous 4 years. Home learning provision during lockdown was pretty much non existent and even before then no homework was ever set.

What's unusual is that lots turn up. A lot of schools would love to run this type of thing but it rarely gets attended.

It’s known as ‘Intervention’ and more normal in schools in deprived areas, in my experiences in education. I’m really glad you and your son are finding it a positive experience.

DSs school havent done Saturdays yet but they have been going in every day in the school holidays since February half term. Either mornings or afternoons depending which subjects you do. Also mornings and after school revision sessions since they went back in September. They have also done intensive weekend residential booster sessions for those who looking likely to fail maths or English where they go away to a hotel and spend two full days in a conference room.

I was telling a friend who is a teacher at a different school how nice it was they are giving up their free time and she said that at her school teachers were getting paid for these types of things out of the Covid Catch up grants the government gave schools.

Either way paid or not it it good of them to do it. In my day you just did your normal lessons and then it was up to you.

Amazing! But def not usual