To not want schools to give up summer holidays

[littleblackdress04]

Just read in papers that it’s been proposed that kids go back to school in July/ August

I think this is a rubbish idea - if it’s going to be that long then just let them have a ‘normal’ summer and go back in September.

Kids have been cooped up because of this- I’d want to take mine to the hills, go camping & let them have some freedom. Then start school in September. This isn’t a holiday for them - it’s a horrible stressful period of being cooped up & not being able to live their normal lives.

While school gives a structure and is important, so are proper periods of holiday.

I’m really against the idea but aibu? Be interested to hear other thoughts. I’ve not been particularly worried about the kids education- they will catch up in time and it will be fine

At least if you allowed organised childcare over the summer it helps people to work, but it’s very easy shut down again if there is another wave of cases.

@mochojoes

Yep, that’s a massive issue for us ‘up norf’ our budgets are crap and our local services are non existent, unemployment is horrifically high, mental health is a huge issue, and there’s just nothing to help anyone. We mop up, because we’re a service that exist.

Social care budgets have been stretched within an inch of their lives, so children who would usually have support that way, just don’t anymore. That was a massive concern for us, we have vulnerable kids who are no longer classed as that. So they didn’t get a space at the hub, but 10-15 years ago they would have had a social worker.

Having said that, my own kids’ school gets comparatively, enormous contributions through the PTA, so they’re less affected that way. This covers the ‘extras’ so their teachers possibly don’t have to use their own wage to resource as much as I do. The families at my school struggle to buy food - as you can imagine it makes our PTA pretty low on funds.

We’re on by the skin of our teeth. It’d be soul destroying, if it wasn’t for our amazing kids.

As a profession we’ve just spent the last 3 weeks completely adapting the way we work.

We’re working full time.

My staff and myself will be on our knees if we work over summer.

When will we plan for the new year?
Where’s the money coming from to pay us?
When do I then get the holidays my contract entitles me to?

Teach over summer, get stuffed

Good grief, so many people with opinions on others, it doesn't make good reading.

Unless you're furloughed, and if you are I can imagine that's still a bit shit, then we're all doing our best, adapting to new ways of working. Juggling DC and heavy workloads.

I don't think the kids should go back early. I work in an office environment and we've been told we must use our holidays as normal, and that we can't carry them forwards. So, holidays are being used in lockdown, and it's really shit, but at least we can have a break. I feel the most for frontline NHS staff who can't have holidays as they're too busy working their arsed off saving lives.

The rest of us just need to accept that this year is a bit rubbish, and make the most of it.

I don't know why it's thought 'most people' won't get holidays this year. Most people are still working so why wouldn't they be entitled to take their holidays? Even if they can't go away on holiday they might still want their holidays in the UK/at home.

At least if you allowed organised childcare over the summer it helps people to work, but it’s very easy shut down again if there is another wave of cases.

I agree, and would allow these organisations to make money.

No one needs that big holiday after lockdown.

Yeah because we're having the holiday now aren't we?

Of course we still need the bloody summer holidays.

It's not fair on anyone, children, teachers or parents.
What we are experiencing now is no holiday.
It's not a break and is emotionally draining for everyone.
If we get the opportunity to return to some sort of freedom in August then we need to make the most of it.

@FreakStar I know so many businesses who are telling employees that while they can’t make people not take holiday in the summer, once restrictions aren lifted in some form it will be “all hands to the pump” and they are asking people not to. Also a lot of self employed people will be fighting to keep businesses alive.

@mochojoes sorry only just saw the other reply. I’m the same, I haven’t used our hub even though I’m a key worker.

We live near a hospital, so huge numbers of kids at my children’s school, have both parents as key workers.

Nannies don’t exist round here! A couple of childminders have kept going - however you have to pay, so the school is the better option for most.

I doubt schools will go back during the summer holidays but hope that holiday clubs will be able to open over the summer holidays.

It just won’t happen. Teachers have this time off. The issue of pay and organisation will be too much.
I think international travel will be happening by August, except for countries that may choose keep their borders closed. There are thousands of people arriving from abroad to the UK still anyway, so I think UK holidays will be back to normal july/august time.

And don't forget the support for schools. As an LA team of advisory staff, we are working 7 days a week to support our schools, including BH's.No leave taken.
I don't think we could keep that up without a break at some point.

@jellyfrizz, but doesn’t that go against what a lot of people are saying here that schools can’t go back because of social distancing? If it’s just a question of money - then surely that’s a conversation that can be had with teachers/schools etc?

yes I'd call that extra work if it's over and above the usual long DH's and holiday working that teachers do. I don't think it's too much to ask, just like everyone else is doing more, giving more and making sacrifices. It's called doing the right thing. No one said it was easy.

So what's the issue then? You make it out like it doesn't happen.

I work in a school, but not a teacher. My DH has time booked off at the beginning and end of the summer, assuming I'd be off as well. We're booked to go away the first four days and at the end we were planning to drive our DD back to uni 650 miles away (especially as she's paying for her accommodation from July, she wants to make the most of it!). Even though I'm off now, he's still working many hours.

As someone who has twi children with EHCPs both including weekly therapy they are not linger getting AND a GCSE year child who just had gcses binned, I dont think I will ever be able to take education seriously again.

The amount of stress for years getting ehcps. The four years of hell working to get my school refuser into school for his gcses. The ehcp kids have a education to go back to. But my GCSE childs struggles feel pointless now. I know it had to be done, but it still feels like it was binned. Camhs, paediatrician, medication for anxiety, melatonin to help him sleep. Possibly a hundred school meetings, threatening letters of fines from.the EWO just to never even get the chance to sit a exam after 12 years in school.

@jellyfrizz the difference is that with school, you know who mixes with whom. softplay etc are not traceable.
(and since teachers are not paid for holidays, they would of course have to be paid)

but doesn’t that go against what a lot of people are saying here that schools can’t go back because of social distancing?

If social distancing is still in place then there should only be provision for key workers but if the aim is to gradually release restrictions and allow people to work then allowing childcare operators over the summer would be a good half way house as there would be less children and, like you say, easier to stop and start in case of new waves.

No, even more people would be ill.

@Legoandloldolls I can’t imagine how hard it is for you right now. It must be soul destroying. The issues with EHCP is a total disgrace. But.... you really can’t blame the education system for the cancelling of GCSEs - the pandemic is not the fault of the DfE

@StrawberryBlondeStar

“If it’s just a question of money - then surely that’s a conversation that can be had with teachers/schools etc?”

What do you mean?

@jellyfrizz the difference is that with school, you know who mixes with whom. softplay etc are not traceable.

Yes, I agree. My point was that opening schools would essentially mean an end to social distancing; schools are such huge vectors.

part time might be an option? so only half classes on a week on /week off scheme? and some weeks completely off

I really hope the parents from my school don't think like some of the people on this thread.