To be livid that the govt have STILL made no statement about Year 10s and 12s and to think it’s all about economics, not the welfare of primary-aged children at all, so they should just admit it

[solieltoday]

On top of all the DC circus, AIBU to think it’s shocking that this government can’t even get their act together to give any kind of reassurance to Year 10s and 12s about whether or not they might be returning to school this term (and if so how) and if there are any plans underfoot to modify exams for next year?

ALL the focus is on reception, Year 1 and Year 6, based on some spurious “science” that for, these younger age groups, the sphere of social contact is smaller, Er, no it’s not. They just want to get people back to work, so this is why they are prioritising younger age groups.

I just think this govt is so dishonest and will twist anything to their own agendas. They don’t give a damn.

We have the second worst death toll in the world. That says it all. Utter arrogance and ineptitude at all levels.

I realise I’m conflating a lot of topics here, but it’s an utter shambles. How hard can it be for the Dept of Education to think proactively to make a plan and give a statement to those students who have exams next summer to reassure them that they won’t be disadvantaged?

Regarding University places for the current year 12’s I would imagine that the % of International students could be lower thereby creating more spaces for UK students.

Kitty - there’s definitely less international students heading over for UK unis this Sept (another reason for the decision to provide lectures online), but I’m not sure about 2021? Travel will be back to normal by then, unless there’s a second wave of Covid. There may even be a suppressed demand from those overseas students forced to defer due to travel restrictions?

Wanna - I do know of at least one school where they’re just taking back the entire pre- prep (reception, 1s and 2s) and not taking back the 6s because they’re obviously not a transitional year if they’re in the middle of the prep.

I feels they’ve written off the academic year and nobody has the will to try.

I know you keep writing this no matter how many times different teachers say we do have the will to try, are doing the best we can to plan (lots of meetings, writing up plans, going in to reorganise classrooms etc) and have definitely not written off the academic year (I am right now-when the next file loads- marking Year 12 coursework sections that my class have been working on with my support this past half term and will hopefully help count for next year, for example) but I will try one last time to say so.

ineedaholidaynow Yes they have lessons planned for English maths and science on a rota basis. They are doing the subjects in blocks so no change of groups or teachers.

My son is year 9 but has an EHCP. I kept him home up until now but he has been offered 3 days a week for English maths and and science, 45 mins lesson then 45 independent working for each subject.

What sort of work have they been currently providing @Angel2702?

DS is in Y10. We were advised before half term they were not planning to reopen after half term. They are currently being provided a full live timetable, including live classes, tests, homework. Work is being marked. So I was quite happy with that decision. Any face to face contact will be virtual.

However, I assume this may change depending if the Government ever publish the detailed guidance. However, DS’s school breaks up on 2nd July so not sure whether it would be worth them opening for 2 weeks.

Allowing younger children to return first does seem to be for economic reasons imo as it is certainly more challenging to maintain social distancing rules with 4 year olds. In my dd’s school in China, the older pupils returned first: grades 12 and 11 and the very youngest children will return next week. As her school closed on 23rd January the youngest pupils have been absent for 4 months.
Measures put in place in dd’s School: temp checks, extended school day, spacing of desks, social distancing at lunch, compulsory wearing of mask are all more challenging for the youngest pupils and it is logical for them to be the last to return.

My daughter is in y12, her college have said that they are done for the academic year now.

The guidance (version 1) is out! I was a week out, but they do go for a bank holiday.

Have you got a link @Grasspigeons

Thanks Grasspigeons! It still doesn’t give any guidance on what face to face means does it, apart from schools can decide for themselves.
Also leaves the issue of how students get to school completely up to schools themselves to sort out. Hmmmmm.

I’ve just read the guidance.

Particularly liked the section about mixing outside school and public transport.

Surely it’s a moot point if they mix outside school anyway?

This is all assuming there isn't a second wave in September. When everything opens again & people are mixing more, chances are that numbers will go up again & we will be under lockdown again, especially if people go away on holiday during July & August. We can expect disruption of some kind until their is a vaccine or the virus burns itself out & don't forget if one pupil or member of staff in a bubble has symptoms, that bubble must isolate & all areas they used must be disinfected.

Disruption forever then if there’s never a vaccine.