Our children have the right to an education.

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So many posts about whether schools will be safe when they reopen but I’m not seeing this point made. Lots of discussion around the childcare that schools provide and the importance on children socially.

My 11 year old has lost all interest and I can’t get him to do anything significant. We’ve had one zoom social with his teacher and classmates. So pretty much zero learning going on.

We know children are less susceptible and there is some discussion around whether they’re transmitting less. The children of key workers (i.e. the ones more likely to catch and spread it) have been at school the whole time and as far as I know there haven’t been massive outbreaks in schools.

So I think I just want to loudly shout: our children have the right to an education.

You’re genealisibgbthough @MrsBobDylan because I have planned and delivered an entire curriculum whilst holding down my current job to my children nursery, reception and yr3. The younger two in particular have made exceptional academic progress and and yet I am keen for school to reopen because I believe that so much of their education in life is about relationships and managing different relationships with different people. It’s not because I can’t be arsed teaching them so am moaning that school should be open, it’s because they get life skills cooking baking etc at weekends and after school normally and I firmly believe they need to be alongside friends and peers to be rounded individuals. It’s not just people who want to offload their kids it’s those of us who chose school over home schooling on any form (I’m well aware this isn’t actual home schooling) and I believe they need to be there for their own good both in terms of education and their prospects in a country decimated post pandemic

@Aveisenim

Read the thread, we’ve been over it all.

Which they are still doing and have been adapting to provide, despite the current crisis

It’s the stark variation in quality and lack of accountability that’s the problem.

@Aveisenim
That's actually really interesting, and explains why the government have produced their list of recommended resources and are backing the oak national academy and bitesize stuff.

Laurie Marlow, its the government who are required to provide these things, not schools'. There are adequate resources available (Oak academy, White rose are my top two recommendations) that are available to all and suitable for most. They're not perfect, but then neither is anything right now.

We're in an unprecendented situation unfortunately and unlike the US, UK schools aren't used to providing online education. All I can suggest there is maybe look at things like interhigh or equivalent for any topics you're particularly worried about as they have the experience necessary to deliver lessons online. The main issue with that though is that they're pricey (much like other private schools) but from what I know about them (my DC isn't yet old enough to use them) they do offer subjects separately.

Tbh even if my DC was in school, I wouldn't be happy to send them back as things stand right now, I don't think we have enough experience with dealing with this virus and it is a major risk sending kids back in June because they often have mild or no symptoms. I think we're going to see a massive rise in cases once things start returning to normal. My DC is missing their friends and usual groups despite having regular online contact with them, we're all in the same boat in that regard. All we can do is support them through it.

Aveisenim, I'm not sure it's "unprecedented", if you look at the history of plagues and pandemics. It's a word that's bandied around, but is largely meaningless.

To add there are primary school equivalents to Interhigh available online.

There are adequate resources available (Oak academy, White rose are my top two recommendations) that are available to all and suitable for most.

I’m familiar with all those, thanks.

I just don’t know how SOME teachers are justifying full salaries at the minute, when we’re being told it’s parents responsibility, here are the links, go nuts.

Every single industry there is is facing unprecedented change right now. For most though, it’s adapt quickly, find a way to deliver to your regular standards, or go under.

While I see there are many teachers who are trying very hard (many on this thread), plenty unfortunately aren’t. And there are no consequences.

Maybe not in that context but it's unprecented in the sense that we have much more access to information now than in previous pandemics. It's also unprecedented because schooling itself has only been formally introduced to the whole of the public population for the last 100 or so years (I can't remember the exact numbers) before that it was specifically for the elite who could afford it. Education itself has only been compulsory (I think) for the last 75/80 or so years. This is the first proper pandemic since it was made compulsory.

@LaurieMarlow

I hear your frustration, btu there are two issues.

Firstly, you seem more interested in ensuring that teachers are working than that children are learning. I have no ability to provide learning videos as good as those already out there, so I provide links to these to my class. Spending all day making a video will not impact learning, so I don't do it. Instead, I am taking courses, which won't impact learning right now, but may do in the future. Parents can't see this work (and I acknowledge that not all teachers will be doing it!)

Secondly, I'm not sure what consequences there can be for teachers who are "slacking off." there is a huge teacher shortage already, and this will likely be heightened, especially in the short term (teachers training this year were unable to complete their courses, those training next year may struggle too).

Education itself has only been compulsory (I think) for the last 75/80 or so years.

Education in England and Wales been compulsory for nearly double that.

It's the parents responsibility, the law actually states this. They have outsourced this to school, the default for education, most people do.
When we are in the middle of a pandemic, it's up to parents to step up too.

If this is true and parents cannot look to schools/teachers for adequate education for their children for some months to come, then we need to look at diverting the education funds raised through taxation away from teachers and schools and into parents' pockets so they can afford resources/paid leave from work to enable them to meet their obligation to education their children.

After all, as taxpayers, we shouldn't be paying indefinitely for an education that's not being provided and is therefore not 'value for money'. If parents will have to find other ways of delivering education since it's their legal obligation, they should be supported financially in doing it and we should stop paying for conventional education through taxation since this will be 'safer' for everyone in the long run.

www.thenational.academy

From about 1880 in the UK there was education for children up to age 10. (The 1870 was not compulsory). my great granny born 1876 could not write I believe (going on the basis of her child's birth cert of 1895).

What we are finding is the nation is much more divided by this crisis - loads of people get no furlough, no self employed money and no universal credit; others are being paid to do nothing at home; others still have a job in teaching etc and are getting paid so people are very jealous of that etc etc.

Hopefully it will be over soon and we can all try to deal with the unfairnesses.

@mumsneedwine if that is deemed sufficient education with its lack of differentiation, no progress measures, no different learning styles etc etc all teachers should be made redundant immediately surely? If it’s so easy and all parents responsibility I agree with @hatingthevirtuous all money and resources should be diverted immediately to fund this new system. It’s actually insulting to experienced and qualified education professionals to suggest that is anything like adequate in anything other than the very very short term.

look at s.19, I've talked about it earlier.

Yes s.7 it's the parent's responsibility but if the LA, once designated, can't provide it, it is for them (not the parents) to provide an alternative.

The law, currently states, the LA should use reasonable endeavours.

If you do not feel your school has then you should complain under s.19 Education Act.

@iamruth I give up. Thought you wanted your child educated. Have you noticed a small virus going round ? Nothing is as normal at the moment so everyone is doing their best. For now.
Wish I was sitting on my arse earning 80% of my pay. Must be nice.
Back to work I go.

Teachers are DESPERATE to get back to work and get back to educating.
But many are terrified at what it will mean for themselves, their families and their communities.
Let's not bash the teachers. They know as well as anyone that this isn't ideal for children's education.
The longer this goes on, the more difficult their jobs will be once schools are back open fully!

s. 19 Education Act 1996.

Please look at it and complain to your local authority if you believe that reasonable endeavours have not been used to provide appropriate provision.

Ultimately there will be the right to complain to the ombudsman and claim compensation for lost education. If you want to solve this use the right tools.

@mumsneedwine never fear my children are exceptionally well educated - they have the benefit of a qualified and experienced teacher planning an individualised curriculum for them here at home. Thing is, it’s not at all possible to provide a full education at home because they need social opportunities and experiences in developing and maintaining relationships and all the skills that go with that hence they need actual school so we pay teachers. As for teachers being TERRIFIED - honestly you need to reassess your career, I haven’t seen supermarket shelf stackers and other “essential workers” behaving so ridiculously. The risks are here to stay and frankly the risks of everyone staying at home are bigger. If you’re terrified you need to do something else but don’t expect the same pay and conditions.

My children's education has continued but it's at home now it's not easy as I have 3 in different year groups but I'm there mum I m the one that has to ensure that they are still learning, and they are ! ... You need to try harder . i have an 11year old he does what he's told and completes his work or he would sit there until it's done and lose his electronics for a week assert some authority your the adult .

Not sure I have used the word TERRIFIED, or even scared. And may DD is a supermarket worker. As your child is very well educated what on earth are you moaning about ? Who educated them so far - pigeons.
PAG marking round 2. I'm going on.

you seem more interested in ensuring that teachers are working than that children are learning

This is true of many posters, sadly.

Fairly sure I’ve explained multiple time’s why I think they need to start getting children back but once again: children’s all round education, relationships, social and emotional development, and other life experiences outside of the house as one point coupled with avoiding a recession so bad their lives will be exceptionally difficult for many, many years to come.

While I see there are many teachers who are trying very hard (many on this thread), plenty unfortunately aren’t

Who are they and what are you going to do about it? Apart from pissing and moaning on here.

Who are they and what are you going to do about it? Apart from pissing and moaning on here.

I’ve outlined all this about three times on this thread already. If you really want to know, scroll back.