Are schools reopening in June ?

[Lardlizard]

Well starting off with primary schools.

It is my understanding that Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union and the government have been in discussion all week agreeing the guidelines for reopening in June.

Where I am in Scotland I don't think going back in June would work because our summer holidays begin at the end of June.

It is also worth considering that some schools will be reopening over the summer holidays to allow children to catch up, what a wonderful idea! It is great that so many school heads are so proactive and ready to support their pupils.
I am heartened by this week's developments, and once the announcement is made this will give (most) children hope that they soon be reunited with their friends and teachers.

I think some people know. I think plans are starting to be formed.

I am sure NS will make a separate announcement re: schools in Scotland in due course.

fartyface Yes definitely. Restaurants etc were given prior confidential warning about imminent closure, I expect schools will be receiving similar guidance about reopening.

NO. BODY. KNOWS.

FFS

@Biscuit0110 the one thing that has been confirmed today is that schools won't be opening in the holidays

Yes I think we do

@Lardlizard goady thread. You know no one knows.

It is also worth considering that some schools will be reopening over the summer holidays to allow children to catch up
Can I ask where you have seen this information @Biscuit0110 because teachers and school staff are not paid for the summer holidays?
Their pay is pro-rata and seeing as many of them have still been working from home during the lockdown, the school would have to find additional funds to pay them.
Also, unless it was mandatory for children to attend, you would not get every pupil there in the holidays which would mean differing gaps in knowledge come September.
I can’t see this happening.

I promise you that schools do not know yet !

English schools don't break up unti mid/late July do going back in June would still enable several weeks of schooling. Well worth it in my opinion.

I thought recycling centres reopening date had been announced ? Let me go and have a look Xxx

hippo

The education secretary said he did not expect this term to be extended into the summer holidays - although committee member David Simmonds suggested some schools were already planning to open over the summer to help pupils catch up.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52469939

Schools were given 24 hours notice that they were closing, hopefully they will be given more notice when they are opening.

I assume social distancing measures will need to be in place, like they are in other countries, so that will take quite a bit of organising and will obviously limit the number of children who can attend school.

Y10 and Y12 are suggested as they have exams next summer and need time to complete the syllabus as there will be no time to catch up. I have a Y10 DC who is currently doing a live timetable at home. Other schools can't offer this, so will disadvantage a number of pupils.

Y6 is suggested probably to help with transition to secondary school, so assume they may spend some time in the secondary school they will be going to in Y7. I assume it won't be so they can have their prom etc

Some private schools had said they were going to open over the summer holiday, but I though they were changing the dates of the summer term not extending it.

hippo I imagine if some schools are opening for catch up sessions over the summer, most schools will want to offer the same to their children. Given that our priorities are the children, then it makes sense to try and make up for so much lost time. Particularly those that are in difficult circumstances.

No schools do not have any inside knowledge about re-opening. As for closing, school heads found out at the same time as everyone else.

The article mentioned suggests Y6 may be one of the first of the primary age children to return. I wonder why? I assumed they’d be the last bank as they had pretty Much finished the NC by the time they broke up. They’re probably the easiest primary age group to manage at home while working.

This shows why a blanket policy across the country won’t work. We are in the three tier system, year 6 is smack bang in the middle of middle school and of no significance in the three tier system (SATs aside- they won’t be going ahead).

I think biscuit is being sarcastic.

Yes many private schools have already announced adjusted terms and will be accommodating all the time that has been lost.

Some state schools also pledging to offer catch up classes, see above link.

'Private schools are planning to curtail the summer holiday to maximise teaching time once the lockdown is lifted.

Amid confusion over potential plans to resume teaching at the end of May, some independent schools are looking to shift the summer term into the six-week holiday.

Cancelling part of the summer break means pupils will be able to catch up on schoolwork, socialise with friends and participate in sports, heads say.

Durham School, a £30,000 a year boarding school, has decided that its summer term will run from June 1 to August 14, with a half-term break in July. Headmaster Kieran McLaughlin said parents were generally very supportive of the move.
He added: 'It doesn't make sense to have a school open when children can't attend and then close for the holiday when children could attend.'

The Abbey College at Malvern, Worcester, also plans to re-open its doors on July 5 to replace the entire Third Term and ensure pupils don't miss out on a minute of classroom time.

A spokesman for the £29,000-per-year school said: 'All teaching will be done exactly as if there was no pandemic - just 11 weeks later.

'The existing Parents and Students have shown tremendous enthusiasm for this initiative in beating the virus and making sure the Children's education is unaffected, and no additional fees payable.'

@ineedaholidaynow

What about first schools and middle schools? (Year 4 and 8)

I imagine if some schools are opening for catch up sessions over the summer, most schools will want to offer the same to their children.

I sincerely doubt it. Mine won't unless it's compulsory.