A question for teachers re year 6 please?

[Blackdog19]

I’ve heard that first to go back to school are likely to be year 12, 10 & 6. I can understand 12 & 10 as they’re obviously pre big exam years but why year 6 particularly? I’m just curious. Do you think may still do Sats to allow for progress reviews for secondary achievements?

I think the other thing to consider is which Y6 teachers will be able to be in school, and how this will impact on the perceived 'benefits' of Y6 return.

If Y6 staff are shielding / vulnerable / caring for someone who is shielding / ill, and the once-familiar primary school is strange and unlike itself with new rules and only for a part of the class at a time, how much WORSE is that for the leaving Y6 child even than the current abrupt end? If they arrive to a supply teacher in Y7, and a whole host of new rules, that teacher and location is already unfamiliar so the impact is much less.

Whereas for those other, non Y6, KS2 children who have missed a third of the year's curriculum, have not been able to access home learning etc - even part time, unfamiliar in-school education with a supply teacher, but teaching the curriculum, is MASSIVELY better than they have at the moment.

I’m a bit worried about all these assertions that Y6 kids do bog-all learning post-May SATs tbh.

If schools return in some form before September then the priority should be for students already in the school. Social distancing will limit numbers anyway so priority should go to students sitting exams next year. Transition for year 6 and also the transition for other groups moving up which is equally as important as year 6 should happen from Sept. Like a pp mentioned it usually takes the first term for new year 7 to fully settle anyway, doing the transition in Sept instead is July will have no longer term effects, old r year groups missing out on vital coursework and support will have long term effects. Limited space due to social distancing needs to go to year groups who need it, in my own opinion the current year 6 transition is not a priority for that space esp as it can be done in September.

Noble

It depends on the school, and obviously writing assessment dates are later so English lessons continue for longer.

there are different models:

• My own DC's old primary teaches all through, with SATs a minor interruption, until the last 3 weeks of term. then residential and 2 weeks of putting on a play.

• Some schools only really teach English & Maths in Y6 (or it absolutely dominates the timetable) and so have a timetable after SATs that focuses on Art, Science, DT, PE etc.

• Some schools teach very little after SATs, instead doing a few lessons but generally focusing on PHSCE, residentials, group projects, plays / assemblies, visits, things like mock trials, debates, sports competitions etc.

I would say the 1st model is the least common.

So in model 1 and 2, cant we have children missing out on a large chunk of the curriculum (as people are worried about for other year groups), but people are arguing that Y6 won’t miss out on anything because they are assuming model 3.

I think my DS’s school is type 2.

My next door neighbour is incredibly worried about how the current year 8 will transition to high school (3 tier system). For the SEN children normally a long process. They will not cope just being thrown in at the deep end.

And I hugely feel for the year 6’s (8’s here) who have lost their final term at the current school.

I have a year 6 child and think it’s the least important year to go back. They’d basically finished the syllabus and after SATs there wasn’t much work planned according to my child’s teacher. Even if they do let year 6 back this academic year, I won’t be sending my child in. She won’t be missing work so it’s a pointless risk to take. She’s lucky to be in touch with friends who will be going to secondary with her, that will be the biggest help. It will be a huge change going to secondary school, there’s not much that can be done to help that even in normal circumstances. My son did various introduction days at the secondary school whilst he was in year 6 and it was still a massive change which nothing can really prepare you for.

The thing is, Noble - and I say this as someone who works with our neighbouring secondary on Y6-7 transition in Maths - the curriculum in Y7 is often largely revision (with a few holes where the school hadn't realised what the 2014 curriculum for primary took out, and a few massive overlaps where they haven't realised what it now has huge amounts of). The areas which secondary don't do again - such as SPaG - are not seen as hugely valuable in secondary.

Unless your DS's destination secondary is VERY different from average, and genuinely starts Y7 from exactly where Y6 left off, then actually not doing the work at the end of Y6 is probably the only point where it will be covered again.

I would go as far as to say tne current year 6/new year 7 are in tne most fortunate position. Every other year group currently in high school looks set to miss a full year term of their current year group. Be greatfull your kids won't be grappling to play catch up for the next academic year instead of going in fresh to start the new year group.

If your child's school is Model 2, then they won't miss any more Engish or Maths, and all the other subjects will be re-taught in secondary (again, I have taken KS2 children to the local excellent secondary, and had secondary teachers absolutely flabbergasted by what we teach in prmary, because they assume no knowledge and simply re-teach in secondary.) Frustrating for us in a normal year, but beneficial this year.

Thats interesting SE.

Like nobel its the other way round here. Im concerned about her transition to secondary but to her that doesnt seem real yet while we live in this bubble.

Like nobel we have had so many tears at night about all the things she's missed out on and "not saying goodbye." An end to all her years at primary. She is a deep thinker but I dont think she'd be alone in that. Certainly school are aware how awful it is for them.

Wow my I wish my child was in any other year of primary than year 6 right now. It is the worst (of the primary years) I think.

My year 3 child is fine and will happily go into year 4 with little change really.

I think it makes a difference that theg all go to different schools from here. Im less concerned about academic impact and more the psychological one.

Squashed,

I would absolutely support a short period for Y6 to attend in the very final week of term, if we are open at all. I would even suggest, if the school only does childcare for ketyworkers all the way through to July, opening up to Y6 alone for a day or two.

However, if we are partially open for education from e.g. st June, I would prioritise other years (probably upper primary first, if there is any social distancing suggested at all) rather than giving the 'longest time in school' to Y6.

This would also free up Y6 teachers to do handover, via phone or video, to Y7 teachers.

Some children will need the transition period. My eldest had one day at her new school and that was it but my youngest due to her autism needed several visits. From a selfish point of view I'm glad my daughter moved to secondary school last year. I'd be really concerned if she was moving this year.
Until the end of next week though no one knows what will happen.

Oh yes no need for weeks on end as they cant so all the usual transition things can they. But a week of "activities" would be amazing.

(I also think that much could be done via phone, or Teams / other video medium if allowed, for Y7 staff to introduce themselves to Y6s in need of enhanced transition, rather than this being via children attending school buildings)

*Moving to secondary early, perhaps for half days could be a huge support as they'd get to know the layout, some staff etc whilst the school was mostly empty. And without the pressure of homework.
*
I think this is a good idea.

Rose - yep my daughter is autistic and shes in her bubble but Im really concerned for her managing transition. She has social stories for any minor change and TA support with any timetable change. I'm the one so aware of all the transition plans thay were in place. For us yr 6 really is the worst possible time (apart from yr 13 say, but mine are primary.)

Cant . If our secondary did that that would be amazing. So far we've just got the normal info pack and a note saying transition is cancelled!

Squashed, in that case, i think you and i are agreeing:

• Other years should be the priority for any 'early partial opening' of schools.

• Y6s should have priority for a final few days to end the term, even if this means bringing the 'end of term' forward for the other year groups

• Time for virtual Y6/Y7 handover meetings between staff should, as soon as any plans are known, be prioritised by both primaries and secondaries.

• Enhanced, extended and highly supported arrangements for settling in in September should, again, be a priority for secondaries for Y7 (and primaries for reception)

On the other hand it would be more beneficial for older year groups to go back first to fill the gaps from missing a terms worth of education. The new year 7 can then have their transition once the older year groups have settled. I honestly don't see why year 6 transition is seen as more important than getting older year groups back and filling the very real gap in their education.

Can'tkeep. Yep sounds good. I'll vote for you to organise education :)

On the other hand it would be more beneficial for older year groups to go back first to fill the gaps from missing a terms worth of education

If there is no partial return for any year groups in secondary before July, then I agree with you. My hope is that the older year groups will be phased back into secondaries after half term, alongside a phasing of primary school year groups over the same period, so that by September the schools are able to focus on the 'new' year groups (R in primary, 7 in secondary - or whichever year groups are transition years in 3 tier systems / infant /junior systems.)

I have a child in y6. When I suggested y6 kids needed these transition months on here (about two weeks ago) I was called selfish and unreasonable.

I see reason is returning..