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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To thinks schools can’t be that short of money then?

84 replies

AwakeNotAwoke · 02/08/2021 16:22

DD has just had a wonderful week attending her soon to be secondary school’s summer school.

I was very surprised that the 200+ kids who attended were given -

a free trip to a theme park(including travel)
free water bottles (expensive metal ones)
free stationery sets and pencil cases
free lunches everyday
a BBQ with an ice cream van on site (all free)

They were also given a good quality t shirt and a hoodie embroidered with the name of school and ‘summer school 2021’ so won’t be worn again

I’m not knocking it at all. It was an excellent way to introduce the DC to the school and DD is really looking forward to starting next month but I’m surprised that the school had so much money to throw around when we’re constantly being told how underfunded they are Hmm.

Even the extra embroidery on the t shirt and hoodie would have cost a lot when they could have left the ‘summer school 2021’ off and said they could be used as part of the PE kit. As it is the mandatory PE top is in the same material but a different colour and costs £22!

AIBU to think this was rather a waste?

OP posts:
InTheMiddle23 · 02/08/2021 21:18

Since when has summer school been a thing? Is it nationwide?

impatientwatcher · 02/08/2021 21:28

Schools are underfunded, but what then happens is that there are random grants available, usually for things the schools don't want or can't actually use. So, for example, a large number of schools near me have some form of 'outdoor performance area' as they all got a grant for that about 15 years ago. One school build this outdoor performance area just as the roof of their temporary classroom collapsed. Pretty sure they would rather have rather put the grant towards a new building.

Hellocatshome · 02/08/2021 21:28

Since when has summer school been a thing? Is it nationwide

Since we had a pandemic but not in time for last year's new year 7s

Mumoftwoinprimary · 02/08/2021 21:35

@impatientwatcher

Schools are underfunded, but what then happens is that there are random grants available, usually for things the schools don't want or can't actually use. So, for example, a large number of schools near me have some form of 'outdoor performance area' as they all got a grant for that about 15 years ago. One school build this outdoor performance area just as the roof of their temporary classroom collapsed. Pretty sure they would rather have rather put the grant towards a new building.
Rooftop outdoor performance area????
HelplessProcrastinator · 02/08/2021 21:36

My daughter’s new secondary has done it for a few years. Nothing to do with COVID. The established popular suburban schools don’t bother. DD’s school is inner city with a diverse catchment. I guess it’s a selling point and gets the kids off to a good start.

Patapouf · 02/08/2021 21:39

How wonderful that they made summer school so special to welcome the new cohort.

Don't for one minute think education is adequately funded in the UK. As PPs have pointed out summer schools funds can't be used for anything else so the school is probably still going to struggle to make ends meet during the normal academic year.

FawnFrenchieMum · 02/08/2021 21:47

My DS’s academy has had summer school for the brightest kids in his year (year9 going into year10) to help boost them up to 8’s & 9’s in their GCSE’s never mind the struggling kids that could have made a difference between a pass or a fail!

DingDongThongs · 02/08/2021 22:17

Gees we can't even afford safe bathrooms and doors?

Anyone else think the loaded schools are darn sarf!

DingDongThongs · 02/08/2021 22:18

@FawnFrenchieMum

My DS’s academy has had summer school for the brightest kids in his year (year9 going into year10) to help boost them up to 8’s & 9’s in their GCSE’s never mind the struggling kids that could have made a difference between a pass or a fail!
@FawnFrenchieMum

I've a PGCE - I hate things like that, if your child is struggling feel free to message me. I have some excellent GCSE Combined Science resources.

I also cover Maths, French, History and English. If I can help then I will.

DingDongThongs · 02/08/2021 22:19

BBC Bitesize has some excellent resources for revision too. I would write to the Chair of Governors and complain. If you don't say something then things will never change.

ineedaholidaynow · 03/08/2021 00:43

@DingDongThongs the loaded schools definitely aren’t in the South West, we get some of the lowest funding

MagentaGreen · 03/08/2021 00:46

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@DingDongThongs the loaded schools definitely aren’t in the South West, we get some of the lowest funding[/quote]
Except some of those in Sussex.

FawnFrenchieMum · 03/08/2021 06:23

@DingDongThongs thank you! We’ve actually removed him from the academy (for many reasons not the summer school thing) and he is going elsewhere in September. Hopefully somewhere that suits his style of learning a lot better.

M4J4 · 03/08/2021 07:26

@Demelza82 well that was vicious. Why?! Shock

Eatenpig · 03/08/2021 10:25

@FawnFrenchieMum that's a clear case of a school academy wanting to boost its published high pass grade rate IMO. Nothing to do with helping all kids achieve equally. Clearly less value given to those further down the pecking order.

Dementedswan · 03/08/2021 10:29

My dc is going into yr 7 and I've not heard a thing about summer school. He hasn't even had a transition day Hmm

FenceSplinters · 03/08/2021 16:06

@Dementedswan a lot of schools are only offering summer school places to vulnerable students. Our transition day was cancelled because the primary feeder schools said it would break their bubbles.

HelpIcantfindaname · 03/08/2021 16:28

Thats just what I was thinking. My daughter just finished Year 7. I was so sad for her when she missed all the usual end of school traditions for Year 6. Then she started secondary without having previously set foot in the school. She has had a year of being taught in 1 room, & is already anxious for September as she doesn't know her way around the school. She has been to a science lab twice. They have had to sit in the same seats all year in class, & stay in that order in a line & in the canteen. At one point they actually had to stand in those lines outside at break. They have only had a lunchtime break all year. She knew no-one when ahe started, she now has 2 'sort of' friends, & is seeing a counsellor for social anxiety. There has been very little opportunity to make friends at her secondary school. She has had a crap year & she hates it. Her academic work has suffered.
I think the children about to go into Year 8 have had the worst time, but there is nothing to help them.

HelpIcantfindaname · 03/08/2021 16:34

Sorry, I was responding to Adreinnesarmy in my post above.. But IT is not my strong point.

Eatenpig · 03/08/2021 16:42

@HelpIcantfindaname that's awful and the most extreme example I've heard of re Covid controls. Most DC seemed to free flow within their class bubble at least.

Iloveitall · 03/08/2021 16:45

Summer school? Neither of my kids schools are offering a summer school?? Is this just for those transitioning to year 7?

Hemingwaycat · 03/08/2021 16:48

Guessing it’s area dependent like anything else. My DC’s school created an Amazon wishlist of books this year and asked parents to buy them.

Hemingwaycat · 03/08/2021 16:49

Also haven’t heard of free summer schools and my DS is going into year 7 in September. Is this just certain areas or children who have fallen behind?

Hellocatshome · 03/08/2021 17:00

Also haven’t heard of free summer schools and my DS is going into year 7 in September. Is this just certain areas or children who have fallen behind?

I think it is on a school by school basis. Across my friends its only my DS's new school that seem to be doing it in our city. It is a school that is currently requires improvement so I think the new Headmaster that has come in is very keen to do as much as possible to engage the kids. The summer school they are holding is open to every year not just new year 7s and isnt covering anything academic its all water sports and team building and things like that.

Intherightplace · 03/08/2021 17:09

This is another flaw in the great catch up plan.

Schools had to apply for the funding, decide what their summer school looks like and find the staff to run them

Now, it's true there's money to pay them, but after the year schools have had, the majority of staff wouldn't volunteer to work during the summer for any money. Especially in the schools that most need this catch up.