4 weeks of extra school in the summer

[noblegiraffe]

Justine Greening (former Ed sec you’ve probably forgotten) has asked that every child get a guaranteed 4 extra weeks of schooling over the summer.

Practicalities of this aside (imagine it is a fully funded army of well-trained, eager and willing tutors, fresh and full of energy rocking up to your kids’ school), do you want this for your children? When you saw the thread title were you ‘yes!’ or ‘god no!’?

Personally I want my kids spending the summer taking advantage of lower restrictions to visit people they haven’t seen since last summer and doing outdoor, fun activities. Education isn’t the only thing they have been missing out on.

However, I know that others are very worried about the missing education and may consider the summer better spent catching up.

YABU: I want 4 weeks of extra school in the summer holidays

YANBU: I want my kids to have the summer off to do other things

Definitely not. My kids have worked hard through all lockdowns and isolation periods.

As a teacher - not in a million years would I want to do this.

The children who need it most won't engage with it either, just like the won't engage with home schooling, or come in to school when offered a place.

The gap will just get wider.

Yes for my Y10, no for my Y7.

Mostly because my Y10 could do with some face to face teaching to tighten up GCSE coursework and see her friends!

Not for core education, no. But I would send my DC (Year 2) if it was based on social interaction, sport, art etc. That would do him the world of good.

Nope. They should probably consult parents before putting things into motion too as I imagine a lot of people will want to go on holiday, chill and relax like others have said. Mine are Y3 and reception age. I need a holiday and so do they!!!!

No way - mine are having FUN this summer, all being well!
Camping, making, exploring, and friends, food, and family - it’s going to be an epic summer- wooooo!!!

Definitely not. Mine will be having a holiday and lots of fun I hope! They have done their best over the school closure periods and kept up with online lessons so deserve a lovely summer of freedom.

As a parent and a teacher, I think it's a ridiculous idea. Mental health has taken a massive hit and I think children and teenagers need to be outside and socialising again; before Christmas we had all commented at school that the increase in behaviour problems was due to the fact that children didn't know how to socialise. This is much more important than academic as if we don't fix the mental anf social health, we won't fix the academic. I would like to see some good quality, funded summer camp programmes for children whose parents must work during the break/who don't have the opportunity to get out in the fresh air etc. Much more important.

Nope. Absolutely not. Dd had so much isolation last time, I couldn't bear her isolating in the summer. The poor teachers too! If not them then who? No, everyone needs a break

@Useruseruserusee ooh yes sports and social would be lovely, just not lessons

No, we need some normality and fun family times. Education is wider and bigger then a typical school day. Would consider more enriching things like forest school days or theatre production days however.

Material not adapted for online (ie printable worksheets uploaded).

Sorry, not getting this. What do you define as "adapted for online"? Don't like printing? Download a pdf adapter, annotate the sheet on your device, send it back. Some people prefer to print. Some people want their children to physically write. Some people need to collect the printed sheets because they don't have any device at all. You're part of a big group here and it's gotta please them all. Think about the whole community before you complain.

Urrrghhh what a horrendous idea. I'd feel obliged for my Yr 10 but I'd hate it and he'd be very resentful.

Mine are year 7 and year 2.
I do NOT want summer school.

It will never happen, ever!

We won't be doing it. I have had enough and so have my children. They are where they should be academically I don't think extra time at school with do anything for them. They are knackered and worry about ds mental health. Summer will be holidays- hopefully, chilling out, hopefully friends and family time. Letting them just be children and play without the pressure of home schooling.

The logistics of this would be crazy hard to implement, but not impossible I guess if enough funds are chucked at it.

Trouble is, the varied needs of the kids. Your kid may be working hard, still be 'behind' (some random, arbitrary level) and need a summer break badly. Be interesting to see how / if this pans out because I don't think there's any basis to make it compulsory for teachers to sign up for this?