To wonder if holiday revision classes for Y6 are really a good idea?

[DrSeuss]

The primary school where my daughter is currently in Y4 are running revision classes on three days of this week. Two hours a day by invitation of the class teacher if she judges that a child will be helped by this. I commend the teacher for giving up holiday time for free and am delighted that she cares so much but I am still unconvinced that ten and eleven year old children should be in school working while on holiday. The local secondary places children in sets from September using end of KS 2 results so I suppose they need the best possible results but I still don't like the idea of the pressure being placed on them, even though I am myself a teacher.

Are other schools doing this? Are people sending their children to revision classes? Does it not all seem a bit much?

No, YANBU. DD's school is doing the same - 9-12 five days next week! Plus they have SATS homework to do over the hols. I said no to the extra school - she needs a break! Bloody ridiculous - they are KIDS.

YABU to wonder as it's blindingly obvious they are it a good idea!
I hate the way state education is going, which is why I've moved to non-selective independent.

It's pretty common here.

My friend's DD did a couple last year but there was no pressure. She quite enjoyed it actually as they didn't have to wear school uniform and the school provided snacks and drinks.

Agree. DD is in Y6 and has been invited to extra lessons for SATs. I've said no much to the teacher's horror.

DS OTOH is being packed off for every single thing I can as GCSEs are way more important IMO

In two years time, DD will be in Y6 and I will have to decide if I will allow it. My gut reaction is to say no.

Not rather then it. To clarify revision classes for 10/11 year olds are barking mad.

Year 6 revision classes in the holidays sound awful.

I can accept they can be useful for GCSE and A level classes - but year 6?!?! That's just madness.

The 10 and 11 year olds should be playing, or enjoying time with family and friends. They are in school long enough.

I'd be saying NO!

How utterly depressing

Obviously, if they are to be settled purely on KS2 results I want my DD's results to be the best they can be but still....

Setted, even.

That is appalling. They are far too young! This won't be primarily motivated by the good of the kids, this is a school worried about its SATs results.

And I wouldn't be surprised if the poor teacher has been none too gently coerced into given up his/her holiday time, either.

Secondary schools have a deep, deep mistrust of KS2 results (because primarys pull shit like this which means the results are as useful as a chocolate teapot) so I would expect that those initial sets will be reviewed quickly anyway.

YANBU at all.
Children need their holidays, they don't need extra work, the school have to be bothered about SATS.
My dd is so happy to not have to do them and her friends are jealous and so tired and stressed, bless them.

Awful. Children need their holidays.

As do the teachers (even if they use them to work). I can just see this becoming the norm and expected.

YANBU.

KS2 SATs should be the culmination of 4 years solid work at juniors level, not bringing in pupils and teachers in the holidays.

Any secondary worth its salt will keep setting very fluid in y7.

Even if the secondary school does use the SATs to set - that will only be initially. Any half decent school wouldn't rely on those alone and will quickly start looking at their own assessments. Also, they should be looking at the pupil's attainment and progress throughout the year and groups/sets should not be static - it should be possible to move between sets at any time.

Are you sure that the secondary you expect your DD to go to sets by SATs? Most of them also do CAT tests. In any case, do you want your DD to be placed in higher set because she was coached during the holidays for SATs or because it truly reflects her ability?

Anyway, YANBU. They're still kids who need hols. Having said that, a few two-hour sessions doesn't sound too bad - I'd be inclined to let your DD decide when and if the matter arises two years hence.

I think it's because it has been proved that children often fall back in their levels after a couple of weeks away from school. So, the schools are trying to avoid this. I don't think it's a matter of "pulling shit" really.
But if you don't want your children to go then don't send them.
I think this is a reflection of the system rather than a reason go criticise primary schools.

Over my dead body.

They need a holiday. They don't matter to the child but they matter greatly to the school which tells you everything that is wrong with education today.
If secondary schools use them to put in sets they will quickly change once they know the children.

Not a good idea - I'm a teacher and I would suggest giving the poor sods a break!

Do you mean the teachers or the kids?

It's a good idea if you're a teacher and you are going to be judged on how your class score when you've got a few that could make the grade if you can drill them enough.

It's not a good idea if the priority is the children learning in the best possible way.

Not a good idea. And purely for the benefit of the school and not the pupils.

As a teacher, I think this is awful. I would refuse to send my child.