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

Working long hours doesn't equal working harder, and working less is achievable if you're saving money on travel costs or living more simply. Not for everyone, some jobs aren't flexible (but I think this lockdown has shown us that a lot can be if necessary) and some people have less wriggle room but it will be possible for some.

@Namechangedforthisreply7 I really think you should train to be a teacher. I mean it’s such an easy job with amazing holidays. You’ll love it.

I love this idea of 'demanding holidays' like the holidays are there because we've kicked up a fuss! It's the contract we're given. We have the youngest average age teachers in Europe because our retention rate is so poor. Honestly if it was an easy or desirable job more people would be doing it.

I'd like to see phased reopening of schools in July last couple of term weeks, for selected pupils but all staff.

I think many staff are exhausted and working incredibly hard. Its emotionally exhausting to be supporting so many children, parents - parents emotions and demands, coping with new systems, dealing with awful vulnerable children situations, working what are traditionally holiday periods and weekends. I'm married to a teacher and his life is not easy at present.

Transitional years yr2, yr6, yr11 and yr13 are at an important life stage and a few days/ a week in school plus their new school to manage that transition will help set them up for September - whether September is physical or virtual school or a mix they'll have had their hand over and be more prepared. Plus those leaving traditional education could be supported to make sure they're ready for their next life stage. Apprenticeships etc are all a bit up,in the air.

I'm also rather concerned for some of the children from the most vulnerable families at my youngest old primary there were drug addict parents, alcoholics, violent and abusive carers/ extended families, heavily in debt families, significant mental health issues. Opening school for each year group for a few days would get sight of these children. Goodness knows what this pressure has done to those who were teatering on the edge of managing. At least in school the children were fed, clothed and emotionally supported. In some families extra money to the family won't have gone on good balanced food and necessary education materials for the children.

Is anyone going to take my up on my sacrificing and flexible offer? I give up some of my break unpaid and you give up some of your annual leave and work unpaid in my school providing childcare over the summer? DBS check paid for and a qualified teacher supervisor provided!

I’ve never been a teacher basher.

Yes you are.
Read your generalised comments.
You have yet to post anything on this thread that isn't having a dig at teachers. It has all been negative generalisations.

Fortunately my school's own parents and carers are a lot more pleasant to work with.

I think for my own sanity it might be time to hide this thread. After a day of working on setting up new provision before term starts tomorrow I think Ive heard enough criticism from certain posters. You'd think of this many years using MN I'd have learnt to hide the threads from day 1 to be honest.

And to think at the start of this some posters even thought this time at home might have made some parents even appreciate their child's teachers a bit more. Clearly not.

Aragog - if my school were doing a fraction of what you are doing I would not be saying what I am. Your parents and kids are very lucky.

Well france have announced schools and nurseries to start opening again in 4 weeks and they were hit worse than we were so could be the same for us?

Teaandjammy - I think it would be mostly like wading through treacle.

@Johanna06

That's okay. Sorry, I'm feeling slightly on edge. You can probably imagine why...

If you have schools open before the summer, you wont stop people travelling for UK holidays. No one is going to believe it is safe to have all kids in school, but not rent a cottage in the countryside.

I think the goverment realise there are to many vulnerable children out there who won't be monitored if they are of school to long. That along with poverty increase I think will put pressure to open up schools sooner rather than later.

Namechangedforthisreply7

So you are just generalised talking about your child's school.
Yet your comments are about all primary provision.

Most of the primary schools I know of locally and my friend's children's schools (dotted around the country) are all providing home learning for primary aged children. Lots are about to start tomorrow, having spent that first week getting sorted and then it being the Easter break. The LEA are only just starting to email our local schools this weekend. They've offered nothing more before now.

Maybe before criticising the profession and all primary provision you need to spare a thought that actually lots of primary schools are making provision, and I suspect you'll find even more do so once the Easter break is over.

Schools were given 2 days warning to change entirely the way they teach children.

A large number of our children font have any access to IT or anything at home, but still we try. Some staff have sent the Easter holidays delivering food parcels to pupils. Others have worked every day in school supervising key worker and vulnerable children.

And my school is not alone in all this.

Nope sorry Tulipstulips, you are incorrect, schools close because July and August due to the hot temperatures that time of year in the UK. There may not have been that many since the 70's/80's but that is why they close. The same in the med, the schools close due to the high temperatures.

Terrible idea! People have pre booked holidays as has been said, which won’t be able to be cancelled if lockdown ends, and might clash with things like starting a new school if this happened.

Exactly @alloutoffucks- which is why I think if it's safe for everyone to go to school then it will be safe to go on holiday!

Hopefully they can reopen for a bit before the usual summer hols to finish off being in their existing class, saying goodbye to their school if they are yr6, yr 11 or 13.

Actually I'm also wrong! July and August was set at a time to give more people the chance to have a holiday.

So nothing to do with high temperatures or Harvest.

XX

Now6 - I like your thinking!

It would be nice to have a few days of “social” school if teachers are available - kids can meet again, teachers can have a chat about the next year etc, but no more than that, and if the teachers have holiday booked already then they shouldn’t be forced to come in.

DD2s college have been doing online google classroom presentations and she has had to complete all her year 12 assign emery’s as normal, DD3’s teachers have set her loads of stuff too as my phone kept pinging with the notifications in term time!

If any travel is allowed in August we would hope to take our pre-booked holiday whether or not schools are open. He works for a high street bank and is on the phone all day talking to customers and sorting out their business requirements under these new schemes. I work part time in the NHS. Neither of us has any annual leave between now and August so if schools did open we’d still look to have the kids at home and do something fun whether local or abroad depending what restrictions have been lifted

I suspect though they want schools to open so everyone gets it. Because this is NOT a seasonal virus.

Assign emery’s? Assignments! Fat fingers combined with gin...

As a teacher who is still working (during my Easter holidays - haven't had a break at all), I will not be at all impressed if my contract gets broken and schools are open in July or August. I am not contracted for that time. That is my time that I spend with my family. Most teachers spend most of the year putting other children ahead of their own; often don't get time off to see their children's plays/Christmas concerts/sports days etc.
We are not contracts or paid for the summer holidays and there is no way we can get that time back in lieu.
It's very unreasonable.
Yes. I love my job but it's a job. I love my family much much more.

I disagree with any posts about 'if teachers have holidays booked, they should be honoured'.

Most of us can not afford actual holidays during what is the most expensive time of the year to go on holidays as our pay is quite frankly shit.
Most of my colleagues have tents/caravans and/or wing it. Or they go and visit friends/relatives.

It's irrelevant whether we have holidays booked or not.
We are currently still working and will continue to be doing so, albeit from home, during the lockdown. Why the hell should we work during our unpaid holiday time and give up time with our own families.

How about, instead of schools going back early in the summer- we delay the start of the next academic year by a couple of weeks or even a month, and allow students and pupils to go back to their existing class or school in Sept for a short transition period. This would allow them to draw a conclusion to this year, have Proms and leavers assemblies, do some transition work, etc. They could start the new year on the 1st oct instead of 1st Sept.