Page 8 | To expect my year 6 child to be taught until the end of term

fartfacenotfatface · 2023-07-11T14:37:42+00:00

DC3 is in year 6. With the exception of a couple of days a few weeks ago when Ofsted were in, they have done precisely no academic work since half term (and actually probably a bit before that, once SATs had finished). Literally every day has revolved around practicing for the end of year production and / or going outside to play (unstructured) sport (although they had a residential trip a couple of weeks ago). DC is not really into drama so has a very minor part in the school play (I'm fine with this but I am not fine with them having to sit quietly in the hall for the vast majority of each day watching the key performers practice their parts all day everyday with nothing else to do). They are completely and utterly bored. Is this normal for year 6 children once the SATs are out the way? My elder DC didn't do SATs (DC1 was not at state school in England and DC2 was in a covid year) and so were taught until almost the last week of term. I am tempted to take DC out to be honest. Their behaviour is getting bad as they're so frustrated at doing nothing all day everyday.

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 19/07/2023 07:34

Zoda8 · 16/07/2023 12:52

It is not unreasonable to raise the question. The fact that ‘everybody does it’ just makes the question more pertinent. A parallel situation often arises at Christmas, and it is certainly worth questioning whether more value could be got out of the last half term for children like yours.

The way that you put your question does rather suggest that you see unstructured play as a waste of time, particularly if children are given 1.5 hrs (including lunch?) instead of 1 hr. You appear to undervalue the expressive arts. If your child has zero interest in participating in drama, perhaps observing the construction of an ambitious drama project is something your DC should open their mind to, in which case perhaps they could learn something about drama from it - rather in the same way that someone who refuses to see value or engage with music might be challenged to upgrade their intelligence by watching an orchestral rehearsal.

In addition, whether your school’s approach is reasonable also depends on taking a step back and looking at what has been provided to your DC over the whole of the school year, at a staff to child ratio of 1:30 or whatever the ratio was. The end of term big production is one part of this provision, not the whole of it, and should be viewed in that context. Wanting to put together a big end of school production does not of itself seem like an unreasonable idea, and if adopted it is bound to take a lot of concentration and input from the staff.

I think expressing frustration at the sheer amount of passive time and the accompanying behavioural issues is understandable. I think if the silent majority sit there and say nothing, it becomes a self congratulatory festival for those who were involved. But if you want to promote change for those who come after you, I think it would be better to try to understand the wider value of the end of term production and to recognise that provision over the course of a child’s schooldays is not and should not be completely linear. Polite, understanding and persistent is usually more persuasive than scathing and dismissive.

A reasoned response, I suppose, but it does contain several contradictions imo, e. g.
'Polite, understanding and persistent is usually more persuasive than scathing and dismissive.' is what the 'silent majority' do whilst inwardly thinking what a frustrating waste of time for those not involved in this 'self-congratulatory exercise'.
Op's post was very reasoned as she witnessed her own son's frustration and boredom for several weeks of the school term.

Zoda8 · 26/07/2023 12:13

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 19/07/2023 07:34

A reasoned response, I suppose, but it does contain several contradictions imo, e. g.
'Polite, understanding and persistent is usually more persuasive than scathing and dismissive.' is what the 'silent majority' do whilst inwardly thinking what a frustrating waste of time for those not involved in this 'self-congratulatory exercise'.
Op's post was very reasoned as she witnessed her own son's frustration and boredom for several weeks of the school term.

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Thank you for reading my post Twenty First Century mama. I kind of agree with the general sentiment - it seems a little critical of the OP, especially as I recognise the silent majority. I don’t think ‘polite and persistent’ is the same as silent and resigned though. The most radical response would be for all those parents who thought their children were being neglected to politely let the school know as a group that their children would not be attending for the remainder of term. The school would then have kittens because OFSTED look at attendance data, where 96.1% is an entirely different ballgame from 94.5%. I do think the OP’s sentiments are in line with OFSTED rhetoric, and the school would be slated by OFSTED if this was their provision during an OFSTED inspection. I wouldn’t recommend such a conflict as it would only end the year on a bad note for the pupils withdrawn. Despite the existence of a very valid question, I stand by my suggestion that one needs to step back, look at the provision in the context of the whole year, and the opportunities provided to all of the children over the whole year, including other people’s children, and to frame one’s polite, persistent observations to the school in a way that reflects that recognition.

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 01/08/2023 05:40

Zoda8 · 26/07/2023 12:13

Thank you for reading my post Twenty First Century mama. I kind of agree with the general sentiment - it seems a little critical of the OP, especially as I recognise the silent majority. I don’t think ‘polite and persistent’ is the same as silent and resigned though. The most radical response would be for all those parents who thought their children were being neglected to politely let the school know as a group that their children would not be attending for the remainder of term. The school would then have kittens because OFSTED look at attendance data, where 96.1% is an entirely different ballgame from 94.5%. I do think the OP’s sentiments are in line with OFSTED rhetoric, and the school would be slated by OFSTED if this was their provision during an OFSTED inspection. I wouldn’t recommend such a conflict as it would only end the year on a bad note for the pupils withdrawn. Despite the existence of a very valid question, I stand by my suggestion that one needs to step back, look at the provision in the context of the whole year, and the opportunities provided to all of the children over the whole year, including other people’s children, and to frame one’s polite, persistent observations to the school in a way that reflects that recognition.

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@Zoda8 Yes, you do make some good points. It would be reassuring to think that 'polite and persistent' might cause a school properly to reflect on their whole provision.

StartingOnTime · 01/08/2023 05:50

Sunnysunbun · 11/07/2023 15:43

You sound fun.

What a thick and unhelpful response to someone struggling with their child’s behaviour which has been triggered by boredom at school.

MintJulia · 01/08/2023 05:58

Mine did life skills, cycling proficiency, first aid, basic food prep, some gardening, residential camp. Lots of activities.

Our problem was with SATs. DS was taught nothing new for all of year six while the teacher focused on getting the weaker pupils through SATs. He was bored stupid, until they were out of the way, and it was a relief to finally leave.

StartingOnTime · 01/08/2023 06:30

Hereinthismoment · 11/07/2023 15:46

Yes and no.

I’m in secondary, and we do work until the end of term (mostly because we’d get bollocked if we dared put a film on!) but also because endless ‘fun lessons’ aren’t great for behaviour.

OTOH the kids run out of space in their books but there’s no point giving them a new book, they are tired and fed up of us, they are tired and fed up of one another, we are tired and fed up of them, it’s mid July, it’s hot and stuffy, it feels like summer is half over and TBH no one is going to do anything meaningful at this stage.

When I rule the world I’ll be adopting the Scottish system of holidays. It’s much better.

‘we are tired and fed up of them’
Appreciate the honesty from a teacher!

StartingOnTime · 01/08/2023 06:56

Thesenderofthiscard · 12/07/2023 08:53

And as for the kids who don’t have a big part in plays - they can read a book, help behind the scenes, or heaven forbid be bored for a bit.

This is the point though. The kids are not allowed to do other stuff. Watching other kids rehearse a play day after day is boring and unstimulating. It’s fine for them not to work, great even. But let them paint sets, read a book or anything else. Very uncreative and lazy of the school.