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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to think that the school is wrong about study leave?

222 replies

gov · 04/05/2018 15:54

I have twins doing GCSEs starting on the 14th May. I fully expected them to go onto study leave next Friday, and only be required in school when they have exams (as was the case with their older brother) but it turns out that they are expected to be in school every day, and in lessons if they are not in exams right until half term starting Friday 25th. DS has 14 exams in these 2 weeks - and he needs peace & quiet between the exams to prep for the next ones (DD less exams, and probably better prepared). AIBU thinking that the school is wrong to not give them study leave? What are other schools doing? Two other local schools that I have heard of - one starts study leave today, one next Friday.

I'm thinking that our school is doing it to keep their attendance stats higher - and that it isn't in the kids best interest.

OP posts:
MillicentF · 04/05/2018 15:57

“I'm thinking that our school is doing it to keep their attendance stats higher - and that it isn't in the kids best interest.”

It won’t be this. Lots of schools are deciding against study leave because not much studying tends to happen!

WeirdCatLady · 04/05/2018 15:59

If a child is on study leave it does not adversely affect attendance figures. The school will be doing this to ensure that the children DO study. I remember doing bugger all with my school study leave.

Hobnobsarenotfordunking · 04/05/2018 15:59

Every school I have worked in haven’t started study leave till May half term, at the earliest.

If you genuinely think they are better off at home then you can ask the school if they an work from home and be coded B on the registers. However most lessons will be doing important revisions sessions in the next few weeks that shouldn’t be missed.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 04/05/2018 16:00

I can maybe see why some schools do this but it is rubbish for the kids that want to do some serious revision.

Witchend · 04/05/2018 16:01

My dc's school stopped study leave a couple of years ago until after half term-and even then they're meant to be in for any lessons for subjects that exams haven't finished for.
They have had much better exam results, especially for those who are struggling since then.

Enidblyton1 · 04/05/2018 16:01

YANBU.
I agree with pp, they are probably doing it in an attempt to improve results - many children don't bother studying during study leave. I don't think it's do to with attendance records.
However, it's annoying for those children who would benefit from quiet revision at home. Spoon feeding children through exams doesn't exactly help them in the long run. I'd be annoyed if my children weren't allowed proper study leave.

DuchyDuke · 04/05/2018 16:07

A lot of kids can’t study in study leave due to disruptive home lives, so many schools have gotten rid of it all together.

OddBoots · 04/05/2018 16:12

The schools have found that in general the results are higher when they work this way but there may be a few children for whom it is not the best choice.

I like the way dd's school do it, the students have to come in but they can choose between going to the class on their timetable or revising in silence in the library, on an area of the field in good weather or in the canteen outside of lunch time.

PoisonousSmurf · 04/05/2018 16:15

My DD1 still has lessons in between having exams from the 14th May and they don't have their 'Leavers Assembly' until 25th May when they will have a half day. That morning they have a 2hr+ English Lit exam!
Study leave is only great for kids who can walk to school.
We live over 6 miles away and I work, so poor DD1 has to stay in school all day anyway!

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2018 16:15

The school isn't wrong. All the evidence shows that kids do better without study leave. It's hard for those who have their own strategies and would do well to study at home. But that's not actually the majority.

MillicentF · 04/05/2018 16:16

"Spoon feeding children through exams doesn't exactly help them in the long run."

Yeah, well- tht's easy to say if you can help your child and provide a quiet warm place to revise and all the sopport they need. Lots of children are better off in school.

PoisonousSmurf · 04/05/2018 16:18

They also have to wear full uniform to school as they used to have problems with year 11s messing around in the town and not being at home 'studying'.

AlonsosLeftPinky · 04/05/2018 16:18

Kids who want to do some serious revision have every single evening and weekend.

I fully remember all my bouts of study leave and there was no studying done Wink

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 04/05/2018 16:18

I like the way dd's school do it, the students have to come in but they can choose between going to the class on their timetable or revising in silence in the library, on an area of the field in good weather or in the canteen outside of lunch time.
That sounds eminently sensible.

MaisyPops · 04/05/2018 16:21

Lots of schools are deciding against study leave because not much studying tends to happen!
This.
As a teacher it annoys me a little as between exams and revision sessions I can't rely on a whole class but we finished the course with lots of ti.e so it's not the end of the world.
It is better for the students. Diligent students will do well regardless. Students who lack independence / lack motivation / don't have supportive parents/ don't have appropriate study space etc do worse.

MaisyPops · 04/05/2018 16:22

*do worse with extended study leave.

leccybill · 04/05/2018 16:22

Ours are in full-time until the last core subject exam which is around the third week in June.
Gah, I remember that big long summer, best times ever.

Amomentofbeauty · 04/05/2018 16:24

We had a good few summers of some teens causing massive trouble during study leave until the schools stopped it.

It is a shame for those who can work independently, but to be honest, I know I went through every displacement activity going before revising and I was a really good student.

Also, thinking of my own child who is an absolute nightmare about revising at home but would work really hard for a teacher or TA, I'm much happier for that to happen in school. So. Much. Happier.

ChocolateWombat · 04/05/2018 16:25

It's a shame that kids get to GCSE and can't cope with revising alone,never after all the revision help they will have received in school. In the end, teachers can't actually learn the stuff for kids and time alone is needed to cram the information into your brain - time spent with teachers doesn't allow it to happen.

Some schools don't allow A level students to revise at home either....so much for the big push on Independnet learning and 'learning to learn' - makes a bit of a mockery of it. However I understand schools are under pressure to get results and get scared that students won't study...but I do think that if they believe school can do absolutely everything for them, many simply don't take responsibility for themselves. WHen exactly are they to get their first experience of properly preparing alone - will it be university, and if this is the case, is that really going to be a success?

The school my DC go to has study leave from next Fri. Teachers are available when they would have had lessons with exam classes - I think some students are requested to come in, but most have free choice to decide if they can best revise at home or want help. This seems good to me - they have access to support if they want it, but don't have to access it. The stronger students tend to just get on with it at home and are absolutely ready and wanting to have that time alone to actually learn the stuff.

If your DC is a good worker, I would consider emailing to say that they would find time at home more productive and request permission to study at home. They might say no, but they may well say yes if your child can be relied upon to work.

Idontmeanto · 04/05/2018 16:26

Dd’s school doing the same. I would much prefer proper study leave for her, but she’s the sort of kid who will work. Tempted to authorise some sick days if she doesn’t have any exams.

AnnDerry · 04/05/2018 16:27

Study leave was dropped at my DDs' school 3 years ago. DD1 had to go in full time for at least the first 3 weeks of GCSEs until all English, Maths and Science papers had been sat. They had revision classes or were working in their base rooms. I was against it at first (DD1 is very conscientious and didn't need it) but from a logistical point of view it's a very good idea: all students in from 8.45 every day so no late arrivals or missed exams due to transport failures (we live semi rurally) or students misreading the timetable. In my day (many many years ago) there were always people who didn't turn up for whatever reason - at least this way the school stands a fighting chance of tracking missing students down.

Eolian · 04/05/2018 16:27

Yup - nothing to do with attendance. It improves results. The motivated kids would revise anyway, but by keeping everyone in school, you ensure that everybody revises. The lessons would obviously all be revision lessons.

Tinkobell · 04/05/2018 16:29

Some GCSE's are often trying to wrap up the curriculum right until the end .....at DD's school physics was done and dusted by Feb, where as History was a bit of last minute panic to get it all done.

MillicentF · 04/05/2018 16:38

"It's a shame that kids get to GCSE and can't cope with revising alone,"

Yes, it's a shame that some kids are massively disadvantaged in society, isn't it?

DuchyDuke · 04/05/2018 16:42

Some kids get straight As even as they get abused while revising. I did (have dyslexia and dyspraxia too) even while mum took pot shots at me with glasses and bottles while I studied on the dining room table. But why should they have to study that way?