Schools opening in the summer holidays!

[Biscuit0110]

GAVIN WILLIAMSON confirmed the Department of Education is looking into the possibility of propping up summer schools to help pupils catch up with their work after the pandemic.

It seems that after ruling out using the summer holidays to allow the children to catch up, it is now firmly back on the table!

What a positive development - will you send your child to school over the summer?

Good luck finding retired teachers without any underlying health conditions who fancy volunteering

I'm not sure what would be done at a summer school TBH. Unless it's compulsory, any kids attending won't be able to do a lot of learning because a) it'll be run by volunteers who are basically child minding unless they are ex-teachers fully aware of the curriculum, b) if children don't attend they can't be disadvantaged through not attending - teachers are going to have to 'catch children up' as it is and c) you're probably have mixed age classes.

If it's compulsory you'll have those parents who have got a holiday booked (and able to take it) up in arms. Support staff will have to be paid and will have the right to say they won't help out as, like me, their contract only says term time only.

DS has been doing 4-6 subjects every day in home learning. He's having the school holidays off. Unless it's a school club that lets him meet up with his friends. But more slogging through maths etc.? No. He needs a break from studying. Just because some schools can't manage doesn't mean all schools can't manage with providing good home education. So it shouldn't be a 'one size fits all'.

Everyone has to make an exceptional effort this year and contribute however they can.

Don't want to burst your bubble, but I suspect this will not be your kids biscuit. It is in coordination with the EEF and will be vulnerable children.

who the government could have cared about a lot more before

Do people seriously think mass gatherings of 100+ people will be safe in July and August? Because effectively this is what this would be.

Yip my children will be there. Their teachers have been setting twinkl worksheets and marking one single item a week. No face to face teaching online, or recorded lessons. If they need a break from marking 25 worksheets a week then they’re welcome to it and I would be happy with a graduate or volunteer supporting my children. Can’t be much worse than a twinkl worksheet with no marking, feedback or teaching (save the one a week).

Everyone needs a break. Teachers are working from home and children are having to do school work everyday at home at the moment.

hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-05-13/debates/0B8A969B-123A-43A1-96DF-CFCB75037A2D/Covid-19SchoolReopening

“My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that we need to do everything we can to help children who will not have the benefit of returning to school before the summer holidays, and to support them to give them that extra boost to ensure that they are learning all the things that they want to learn. He is right to highlight the many thousands of volunteers who want to reach out to help our children to have the knowledge they will need to succeed in the future. We are looking closely at such schemes, and working with schools and with the sector to see how we can make them available. I very much value my right hon. Friend’s advice, insight and thoughts on this, and we are looking at how we can mobilise the schemes.”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right on the importance of supporting youngsters and children who are going to be facing GCSEs next year, as well as A-levels, BTECs and other qualifications in years 10 and 12. We are working with the sector, because we want all children in those year groups to have the opportunity to go into school and to speak with their teachers. We want their teachers to be able to make an assessment of the learning and support they will need over the following weeks as we approach the summer holidays, and to set the work at the right level so that children can benefit from learning through the six weeks of the summer holidays as well as in the weeks approaching the summer holidays. It is important to get those transition years back into schools, even if not for a full timetable, as that will be a first step in the right direction.”

Everyone has to make an exceptional effort this year and contribute however they can.,

Which teachers have been doing since this all started by providing lesosons online, work packs, working through Easter and looking after key workers children. However, it's great to see such enthusiasm so I presume your name will be the first on the sign up sheet to volunteer?

I tutor maths A level -- that all dried up the minute exams were cancelled. A lot of tutors are in the same position. I think it's a much better use of govt money to pay people to work rather than stay at home, plus it would be of benefit to the children. If it's workable, why not?

In general, I wish there was more coordinated thought and action in getting people who want to work back into work -- there is so much we could be doing with the children using zoom. No, it's not perfect, but there are many creative ways we could still operate while staying relatively safe.

Um excuse me strawberry but my pupil premium kids are doing very well cheers. Got their reports yesterday and mainly 1s for attitude to learning and many 'above tracks'. Way to generalise though. Because we've got less money we must be thick. Cheers for that.

its an interesting idea about using volunteers, retired teachers etc to set up some kind of summer catch-up lessons. It would be really nice to discuss how this would work and who it would benefit most - without going over 'what teachers are doing now' and 'why do teachers have a holiday' both of those are completely irrelevant to the idea.

No Way.

Mine need a break with friends and ALL their family.

I actually think it's quite cruel to deny them a proper break outside seeing mates and enjoying normal life.

Given that secondary school pupils will have lost half a year of schooling, it makes sense to use the summer to catch up, so they are not so far behind by the time they get to September.
My shielded year ten is disadvantaged enough, if this happens she has no chance of decent grades.

ItsGoingTibiaK

Thank you for the link and what was said. It would have been helpful of the OP to include such important details in their opening post.

I tutor maths A level-that all dried up the minute exams were cancelled. A lot of tutors are in the same position

Would you volunteer or expect to be paid?

I don't think the children need a break, they have been at home for two months already
It’s hardly been a break has it op!

Fuck no. DC are doing just fine as they are. Also, the teachers deserve a fucking break.

I like the idea of them doing activities outside.

I also hope schools may open in some form over summer for catch up classes or holiday club. Not for childcare but for social and educational benefit, not saying teachers shouldn't get a break but I know of a few who have had an extended break during lockdown and given the rest of us are having to do things differently I think it is something which should be considered. In my opinion.

Run by parents I presume.

Also my shielded year ten has had a full timetable of six hours a day!

Not our school. But they have extended the summer term by two weeks (private school and even with extension they get out before state schools).
As our school had to stay open throughout the Easter break for the 40 or so key worker children and the rest of teachers are working full days online now, not sure any of them would sacrifice their summer break too.
Did see the Royal's school is staying open for the summer and that Kate and William didn't even give their kids a break over Easter - bit harsh for such little kids.

My DS has been working a full timetable with live classes with his school 8.30 to 3.45 plus homework. Neither he or his teachers have been sitting around having a holidays in the last few weeks.

Outside of private schools this seems to be very much the exception not the rule in my circles - a few worksheets and internet links (primary years 4 and 6)