No learning in the last week of school?

WaitingfortheTardis · 19/12/2023 20:27

This will be normal for a lot of schools that don't finish until the end of the week I think, the children are just too exhausted to properly learn and take things in. The last two terms have been ridiculously long.

Rudolphtherednoseddog · 19/12/2023 20:27

Mine have had the usual Christmas assembly, nativity play, a school trip and an hour of Christmas party. But otherwise they’ve been doing their normal lessons. They have watched a lot of Christmas movies and done Christmas colouring, but they’ve had an awful lot of wet playtimes, I don’t think it’s been during learning time.

Peppermintginger · 19/12/2023 20:28

It's not the school that issues the fines, that's the Local Authority.

I think expectations would vary depending on age on my child.

They can be quite hyped up and difficult to teach this time of year! My child's school is winding back on the learning, but it is still happening in between a few more fun things.

They are KS1.

OakElmAsh · 19/12/2023 20:28

They are so fecking tired at this time of year that an easy fun week is just what they need!

Sirzy · 19/12/2023 20:29

In most areas it’s the end of an 8 week half term. Everyone is knackered so productivity is going to be at a minimum!

Original poster

Eightohseven · 19/12/2023 20:30

WaitingfortheTardis · 19/12/2023 20:27

This will be normal for a lot of schools that don't finish until the end of the week I think, the children are just too exhausted to properly learn and take things in. The last two terms have been ridiculously long.

That's true, it has been a 7 week term and with school finishing on friday and Christmas literally the following Monday, I think everyone's heads are elsewhere at this point

OP posts:

EsmeeMerlin · 19/12/2023 20:30

I work in a school and we have done some work this week but no where near a normal week. Instead the children have enjoyed a visit from an elf, a student talent show, Christmas cards, Christmas performance and lots more.

After the pandemic, parents moaned about all the fun things children missed out on, now it's moaning there is not enough work.

In the last weeks of this term, many schools mine included are absolutely hit hard by illnesses, kids are tired and ready for Christmas break. Anything taught this week won't be remembered in January

stayathomer · 19/12/2023 20:31

Technically this week is Christmas week so totally justified for them to get a break and have a bit of fun!!! This is the first year I remember that they haven’t had to do any work at all last week of school and there’s a lovely atmosphere at home as a result. Enjoy it op!!

Hotchocolate2023 · 19/12/2023 20:31

My primary aged children finished Friday. I'm in school a lot for various reasons. The children were absolutely pass any point of useful learning. It was a struggle keeping them awake, half were poorly to varying levels. Schools that are still going this week, I'd have given up!

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 19/12/2023 20:33

Mine finishes tomorrow. Just spoken with her and she says they’ve worked yesterday and today as normal (year 4) but tomorrow afternoon they are watching a movie. No non uniform day though which I’m surprised at.

She’s wondering why she has to go into school though as quite a few parents have kept their kids off this week. School have sent out two letters yesterday and today saying kids should be in until Wednesday and if parents decide to not send kids in absences will not be unauthorised.

Cupcakekiller · 19/12/2023 20:36

It's nice for my daughter to have fun with her friends. It's still education but enrichment/personal development. Not all skills learnt are academic.

Puddingpieplum · 19/12/2023 20:36

My Year 2 hasn't done any work this week, and very little last week. Good on them, they deserve a bit of fun and they aren't sitting A Levels.

WhatHaveIDone21 · 19/12/2023 20:36

I teach in KS1 and we are doing lessons until tomorrow. On Thursday we will do some Christmas crafts and other activities then Friday it will be our church service and a few final bits.

The kids have been extremely excited for the last few weeks so keeping some sort of structure has been helpful. I can't wait until Friday though - it's been an 8 week half term for us.

girlsyearapart · 19/12/2023 20:37

I teach y4 , we break up on Thursday. Myself and my year group partner planned some optimistic writing tasks for the year group which we have rearranged for January as the kids are just exhausted.

This week we have done maths both days, science , history , a lower key English lesson , pshe, pe.

As well as Xmas lunch , a bit of colouring and a bit of a film here and there.

Tomorrow will be class parties in the afternoon and a science test in the morning !
Thursday is the only day where we will do Xmas things all morning then they leave after lunch.

Mojolostforever · 19/12/2023 20:41

It's normal in most schools. Teachers and children alike have had enough. There will be rehearsals for nativity plays, carol concerts, reports to do, children making cards, etc.

It's the wrong time to try and instil knowledge. Much better to wait until after the holidays when everyone's had time to chill.

bobotothegogo · 19/12/2023 20:41

Primary teacher here. I would love to have some calm, purposeful, engaged learning this week however I will be scraping the kids off the ceiling and stopping them from killing each other.

TheMoth · 19/12/2023 20:43

If it's primary, surely that's part of the joy?
From when mine were in primary, it's was things like:
Panto trip
Jumper day
Xmas lunch
Xmas party day and santa visit
Some vaguely outdoor thing

As a secondary teacher, the final week of term email is an Xmas tradition all headteachers are contractually obliged to send, with varying degrees of implied threat/pleading, depending on their staff control:
"And remember folks/,guys/ members of staff/colleagues/ fellow professionals....we are NOT children's entertainers/ public broadcasters/TV announcers. No fun 'til Thursday"

BananaSplitsss · 19/12/2023 20:44

I get it .. it’s Christmas time and lots of fun to be had.
Saying that, they need not really be there atm… I would rather mine at home.

Hiddenvoice · 19/12/2023 20:44

I’m a primary teacher and we have done a small amount of work this week like spelling and some maths, which have been Christmas/ winter themed.
We only watch one Christmas movie but tend to split it up so watch it over a few days rather than in one go
as the children can get bored and start moaning at others for chatting.
We also have a panto coming to the school and do
the end of term clear out too. The children are all exhausted though after our Nativity and Christmas concert. Plus they are rather excited too which is lovely to see.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 19/12/2023 20:47

For every parent irked by this, there will be another parent (there was one on another thread) saying 'The kids are so tired! Why can't teachers relax a bit and let up on the constant work? The children deserve some fun!'. As usual, teachers can't win.

PurpleBugz · 19/12/2023 20:51

YANBU.

My daughters school is the same. My father's funeral was this week and I messed up and didn't fill in the stupid form asking for it off. I just emailed saying she's off. So because it's not medical I've had an email saying as it wasn't requested and granted it's unauthorised. I was irritated to say the least then dd comes home saying they just watching films and colouring in this week. I think it's a joke

tinytemper66 · 19/12/2023 20:52

Eightohseven · 19/12/2023 20:24

Just wondering whether this is the norm? Ds says absolutely no learning this week so far, just watching xmas movies and colouring/playing etc. Probably will be the same for the rest of the week as school trip on thursday which is all day and xmas party/end of term clearout on friday. I remember this on the last day or two of term when I was a kid but not the whole week? I don't know how I feel about this or what my aibu even is but I feel irked I guess. Maybe because you're fined for taking kids out of school even if it's just the last week of school but they're not learning shit anyway, we can watch the grinch on the plane lol

I taught all day yesterday and today. Will be teaching classes tomorrow and Thursday. No films in my classroom.

CrapBucket · 19/12/2023 20:55

It’s like adult life, sometimes you are being productive at work, sometimes doing CPD, and sometimes your job is ‘networking’ - just as important a skill to develop!!

Rooroobear · 19/12/2023 21:06

I don’t blame them at all….its been an 8 week term here and the kids are thoroughly exhausted and ready for a break. My dc are loving watching films and making cards etc

Sleepyteach · 19/12/2023 21:08

TheMoth · 19/12/2023 20:43

If it's primary, surely that's part of the joy?
From when mine were in primary, it's was things like:
Panto trip
Jumper day
Xmas lunch
Xmas party day and santa visit
Some vaguely outdoor thing

As a secondary teacher, the final week of term email is an Xmas tradition all headteachers are contractually obliged to send, with varying degrees of implied threat/pleading, depending on their staff control:
"And remember folks/,guys/ members of staff/colleagues/ fellow professionals....we are NOT children's entertainers/ public broadcasters/TV announcers. No fun 'til Thursday"

Oh I do not miss those emails! 😂 my favourite pre Xmas head teacher email was “High quality teaching and learning WILL continue until 3.15pm on Friday” hahahaha I told my HOD I will do my best with the high quality teaching but I’m bloody knackered and bottom set year 9 on Friday afternoon might have other ideas about the learning part.