Booster class during half term

[Nomummyonlyzuul]

DC school have just sent out an email asking that the year 6's attend booster classes next week, during half term. They "strongly encourage" the children to attend. They already run after school booster on tuesdays that they pretty much forced her to attend, as well as homework set every day. We will of course still do the homework and revision, but I'm really reluctant to send her in during half term aswell, she really deserves a break(has sen and has worked really hard so far this year)
So, mumsnet, AIBU in not sending DD for yet more extra lessons?

You are the best judge of whether she would benefit from this scheme.

In year 6 I think it's fine to decide she doesn't have to go in for the booster sessions.

DD is having the whole Monday of half term in school, but she's year 11 so I've told her to just suck it up and go to it. But year 6 I'd be led by your child tbh and how well they're doing on the whole.

It's completely up to you

I expected this to be about GCSEs or Alevels.
Year 6, no chance,give the child a break.

I presume many families will have other plans... childcare booked, trips away, family visits etc.

Say no, let the school know tomorrow.

Would be a different answer as mentioned were it year 11.

Sat results will not matter at all to their future. My dd failed hers due to multiple issues but she's about to sit gcses with predicted good grades and will be moving onto College in September. SAT results only matter to school so they look good in league tables. Let you dc have half term and a break or by the time the SATs happen they will be exhausted and burnt out.

Only in the UK do parents not want their children to be educated! It’s absolutely unbelievable really.
Teachers willing to help your children who went through Covid, catch up and be in a good place for Sats and year 7 . How VERY dare they!
I taught English in a third world country. The children would spend all day in school and then come to English classes every single day after school. They really valued and appreciated education.

If you don't want your DCs to go into school for this (encouraged but entirely) voluntary booster classes over half term, say "thanks but no thanks"

They can't force DCs to attend after school sessions nor out of term sessions. I agree with you OP that downtime and spending time together as a family or even just doing something different during holidays (even old that is have a lie in and a few pj days..) is beneficial to DCs as well.

Mine would have rebelled if I tried to send them into school for extra lessons over a school holiday! I've been known to take them up breakfast in bed some holiday days

School is stricter and less relaxing than hanging out with friends at each others houses, they can do homework projects or study an hour here or there if you/ they want or maybe go one day out of 5 if you/ they want. But I'm very clear, I'm their parent, so I get to decide what is best for my lovely DCs in their 'out of school' time.

Just say thank you but we already have all our activities planned.

You know if your DD is seriously in need of additional classes. If not I would prioritise having a break.

yanbu OP

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better about it now. To the poster who mentioned covid, our school set live lessons every day during the pandemic, they also had work to complete at home every single day, of which we did every single piece set, so please don't assume I don't want my child educated or that I dont appreciate the teachers! My point is she has worked extremely hard, never has time off unnecessarily and she deserves a break now, not to have even more put on her!

@Nomummyonlyzuul you know your child best. If you think it's in her best interest to send her, do so. Conversely, if you think she's on track, then I think that's fine too.

SATs are not about educating our children. They are about school and government statistics and limit breadth of learning in y6. Secondary schools take SATs results with a pinch of salt as they often don’t reflect a child’s true ability/ potential

Good grief! I've been a year 6 teacher for more years than I care to remember and never have I expected children in during the holidays.
Say no. The school have massively got their priorities wrong.

Excessive “Boosters” and “interventions” are a horrible part of our testing culture. We are sucking any joy out of education through this terrible, utilitarian approach to learning. Something needs to change. You are not being unreasonable in giving your child a well-deserved break.

Not a chance. I bet the teacher doesn't want to be there either

I agree with this. Follow your instincts OP and have a break from school if you think your dc needs/wants it

Blimey! Teachers and children need half term to REST!

Education is about far more than school.
Visits to museums, visits to play areas, cooking with mum and dad, shopping...

They just told you? I've already spent money on holiday clubs. I'd be pretty annoyed to be told now!

As an ex primary teacher, the situation with SATS has become worse over the years. Sats only boost school LEAGUE TABLES and perception of a schools value.
So they increasingly drill and harass Children just to make their own reputations better.

I left primary in 2017, where schools were even beginning to pull kids from PE for extra SATS practice-

Have a week off and don't worry about it. It's the Head who drives the kids for her own reputation, it won't help your daughter.

Up to you, obviously.
I'd be seriously asking what was happening in a class that it was felt appropriate for the whole class to have extra lessons during the holidays.
Something is badly wrong with either the level of the class (as a whole) or the continuity of the teaching programme.
We have "recoup" classes offered at our school, but usually only to students whose attainment is very poor to the point where if such things still existed, they'd risk being asked to resit the year.

Thank you all for your replies, I will definitely be telling the teachers she won't be in! I do feel bad for the teachers too, when are they supposed to have a break??

Even if they needed to catch up i wouldn't be sending a Y6 child for half term booster classes. Y11 definitely, Y10 maybe. You're doing the right thing.