The school is shut, will your kid actually do any work set?

[noblegiraffe]

Lots of talk about schools ‘remote teaching’ and ‘setting work for the kids’. Very little discussion about whether the kids will actually engage.

My own primary kids would do some work because I’ll make them, but teenagers left in the house by themselves? Are they really going to be putting in hours each day?

[enjoyingSun]

Mine would but that would partially be because we'd make them and partially because they are according to their teachers unusually diligent - possibly as product of years of us insisting they do more than bare minimum.

I also have one Y10 in wales sitting exams – though this year they’ve needed more chivvying and checking up on then any year previously I think the school’s massive upheavals have taken a toll on their attitude – lack of new head, poor communication soaring number of supply teachers being used.

It’s a deprived are though and I know many of their friends don’t always have internet access or access to lap tops/computers, printers – they rely on school computers or local libraries and if both close would be stuck.

[AwdBovril]

No, because she'd be in her bedroom 95% of the time. We've just moved house & the other rooms are still horrendous. So we'd be unpacking etc, & DD (7) would either be getting in the way "helping" or playing in her room.

That said, if schools were closed for any period, I'd fully support it. Because I already think the Government is possibly being a bit lax in its attitude towards containment. We'd lose most of our income, because DH is supply teaching staff, so wouldn't get paid. I'd still support it.

[Growingboys]

Do you teach teens? They are actually, for the most part, pretty keen to learn, in my child's (state) school at least.

I think my DC will get loads done when the schools shut because I'll make them but also they will want to. My child with SEN, not to much - that will ruin my ability to wfh.

[lazylinguist]

Do you teach teens? They are actually, for the most part, pretty keen to learn.

I've taught teens for over 20 years and I think that's a somewhat optimistic view tbh .

[aquietlifeplease]

My year 7 child would happily do the work but as we haven't got a computer/laptop or tablet never mind a printer she'd have a problem unless it could be done on a smart phone! My younger child would probably sleep all day and do nothing!

[LauraAshleySofa]

If I am home with my own dc, then yes they will do all that is asked of them and more. They already work well on learning apps provided by the school for homework. However, as I am a sahm I will be offering help with childcare to all my working mum friends, especially the nhs workers that I know, and I wouldn't be able to encourage their kids to do homework so realistic prospects are lower that my kids will work as they will all be playing together.

[GetUpAgain]

My Y10 reports that everyone at his school wants to catch the virus to get out of doing end of year exams . I think if I'm not there he will do 50% of what's expected, if I wfh he will probably do 100%.

My Y8, at a different school, will do whatever is set assuming she can get onto the bastard IT system.

I have got ear plugs so I can wfh at the same time as 2 teenagers a husband and a dog. Not looking forward to it!!!

[HoffiCoffi13]

Yes that’s the other thing, as a SAHM I am assuming I will be asked to provide childcare for a number of friends who won’t be able to stay at home without losing the roof over their heads. So with probably 6 or 7 children aged between 7 and 4 plus my own 1 year old, I imagine learning will be limited.

[BiddyPop]

My Y8 equivalent DD would do some work at least - she was getting so stressed at feeling she was behind on her studies last term (she did fine in her exams), that she voluntarily signed up for evening study (doing 3 rather than 5 evenings a week) from January last.

She has been home a couple of days this week due to a cough. Tuesday she was wiped out and tired, so did nothing. But yesterday, although better and normally would be back at school, still had a cough so - based on advice from school and in the interests of not spreading anything even though its very very likely just a normal cough - she stayed at home again and she did sort her notes, studied some geography, worked on a maths project, and revised her German. And also watched some tv, hoovered downstairs, baked cookies, and play a board game with me in the evening. And grumbled about being "bored"!!!

School are intending sending out work if they close and have asked pupils to organise themselves with a laptop or other device to connect electronically if possible, and to bring home books etc from lockers. And I would tap into a bunch of homeschooling resources as well to make her do projects and revision - for her and our sanity as well as continuing learning.

She's not keen to learn exactly, but once she actually gets herself motivated and stuck in, she actually pushes herself and achieves a lot.

[lurker69]

my 15 year old yes she is very focused on her goal to be a lawyer, 12 year old probably if nagged, 5 year old not a chance he hates school, 4 year old would she loves learning

[Cohle]

Cohle Only about half of youngsters go to university.

I know. That's why I said they would be going to university or the workplace in a year or two.

[enjoyingSun]

Do you teach teens? They are actually, for the most part, pretty keen to learn.

I don't but my teens can get very frustrated with the class disruption.

My 13 year old is so frustrated in one subject that due to class disruption his teacher says they are behind so off his own back is doing senca sessions so he isn't.

DD1 came home really frustrated as second half of a mock was cancel because so many in her top set clearly hadn't bothered to revised for the first half.

She got a disappointing D in one mock she’s been predicted an A prior and the teacher response well you’re not far of a C so it will be fine in exam – coming up soon. Many of her classmates have shrugged and accepted they won’t do well while I’m trying to help her get her grade up and do more work.


So I don't think many of the teens at their school - even the bright ones are that keen to learn.

[Osquito]

DS is in Year One. I’m a SAHP who does self-employed work from home (which is v difficult if he is in).

He’d do any actual assignments set, incl/plus an hour on my (for work) laptop and an hour on his math/phonics Fire apps, but this would only happen with me supervising and encouraging him. I think if it’s come to a point that schools are shut then there are more things to worry about - but I would try to make sure he does some sort of learning each weekday, if only so he doesn’t have so much to catch up on back in school.

[Maythelordopen1]

Schools in Ireland are now closed until March 29th

[CaptainBrickbeard]

Surely the gap that opens up over the summer between the deprived and well-off children will yawn into a massive gulf if this happens? I’m an ex-teacher and I work at home now; I can keep my primary aged children learning and fed but that is not the case for a cohort of children who are already likely to be disadvantaged in school. There is devastating impact potentially brewing for children who have already lost so much to austerity. And I do worry that too much ground will be lost to make up.

[Comefromaway]

My son has just been issued with revision packs and google drive links for every subject and told to take everything home. Yesterday he had to fill in a questionnaire about wifi and computer equipment at home.

[Underhisi]

My teenager has severe sen and is in special school where much of their learning is going out to supermarkets, cafes and general social skills with other children - so won't be learning much at home.

I'm more worried about the increased levels of aggressive and challenging behaviour there will be from being out of routine and stuck in doors. He will have no understanding of why things have changed. And if I/we get ill, how we will cope with that behaviour.

[ffswhatnext]

The knock-on effect closing schools down will be astronomical, and for a fuck ton of households, school work will be way down the list of things to give a shit about.

I'm not saying I don't care about my child's education. Of course, I do. That shit can be dealt with afterwards.

And although I could technically take in loads of extra children. I will not be. Instead, I will help friends in other ways if I can, but inviting all those extra 'carriers' into my home daily, nope, fuck that.

I would advise anyone to really think about this offer before you make it, it's a nice gesture, but....

Aside from the extra 'carriers' what if one of them tests positive? Worst-case scenario, someone in your house gets tested positive and potentially you have a lot of kids on your hands over a long term period. Same with if any of their parents test positive.

And if anyone is asked and you don't want to do, tell them no. They probably won't like it. But for your own health of yourself and family, think very, very hard.

[Comefromaway]

DH is a teacher in the further and higher education sector so he will be home is places shut.

[florababy84]

@Underhisi that sounds very stressful. I think it'll be really hard for children with SEN.

[HoffiCoffi13]

It’s tricky though isn’t it ffswhatnext. I’m inclined to think as you do regarding having extra children. However, for example, my best friend is a single parent and works full time as a child protection social worker (I’m assuming their workloads will increase with children spending more time at home rather than school). The only other person who could have her 2 children is her dad who is 73 and in ill health. I know she’ll ask me (I already do a fair bit of emergency childcare for her). What do I do? I’m in the privileged position of not being hugely impacted by school closures, but on the other hand I’ve seen many threads on here saying SAHM’s need to muck in and do their bit.

[TheReluctantCountess]

I’m a teacher and I have no idea how work would be set remotely.

[mbosnz]

Yes, they would.

Had some small experience of this during the quakes. The day after, the eldest came to me, bawling her eyes out that she didn't have her spelling list, so couldn't do her homework. Now she's in her GCSE year - she takes it even more seriously!

I'm not working currently, so it's very easy for me to supervise, support and kick any arses that need to get back into touch.

[Snaga]

Mine will complete work. I'm already working from home because my company thought it prudent to encourage homeworking to reduce risk as much as possible without impacting the business which being antisocial in general hasn't displeased me so my two will be set up on the table with me for the majority of the day.

If school don't set work, then I will. I know roughly what themes they've been exploring in school so will set them work around this.

Not expecting anything grand from them, but as long as they spend time every day actively learning I'll be content. But then neither of mine are in crucial learning years (Yr 8 & Yr 2) so the pressure is off from a curriculum/exam preparation perspective.

However, there doesn't appear to be much noise outside of ROI about schools closing early for Easter to reduce risk.

It's probably the thing I'm least worried about with covid-19 stalking our shores. Having enough food in stock and keeping the virus away from my husband (officially vulnerable, his company are talking about isolating him from the workplace to protect him) is a far bigger stress, especially as we can't afford to join the lemming induced panic prepping!

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Are you a primary school teacher @TheReluctantCountess? Because that would make it trickier (but imo less important).

My kids secondary has had a virtual learning platform for years now. They send work homes when the school is shut due to snow or flooding.