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?

You could guarantee teachers would react negatively! Never mind making sacrifices for the good of the children, these are extreme times calling for extreme measures. Why are teachers so precious!

DBML

A very well thought out post, and one that has had a damn sight more consideration than those proposing the plan.

Totally agree with you the parent of the privately educated children need to be taught how to have respect for others

I am amazed so many state parents aren't interested in even discussing the idea that summer school might be a good idea. But if you aren't concerned then that's good.

Never mind making sacrifices for the good of the children

So far none of what I've heard the Government propose is for the good of the children. If this went ahead, which it wont, it wont help bridge the gaps it will just cause more pupils to burn out as they wont have had a break. So yeah the exact opposite of being good for the children.

What I actually think should be happening, is that the current provision of work by schools especially Secondary schools should be looked at, there seems to be such a vast difference between them. I am not talking about full timetable of live classes as that will not be practical for all schools/areas, but some schools appear to be doing hardly anything.

I totally understand that schools can't be measured on what work they get back from pupils but there should be a minimum they are sending out. Now it looks like Secondary schools are not opening this term (with a possible exception of a few meetings for Y10s and Y12s) some schools need to step up on their provision of work. Also unions need to look at their advice to teachers not to mark or provide feed back on work.

Hopefully, this will help some students. My DS has definitely benefited from having the structure of schoolwork each day. There will obviously be some students who won't engage and there will be other students who struggle to engage and they are the students that will need to be looked at to see what can be done.

I am sure some schools will set things up, in the same way that the Easter holidays are given up by many teachers for exam practise or booster sessions.

I'm not convinced that a national scheme is workable. Everything else since March has been left up to the schools, so I imagine this will be too. Most schools, particularly those who have had teachers working full time throughout Lockdown, will not be setting up summer schools.

I would volunteer if my school does decide to do something like this, because I have worked less during Lockdown, and because there are some children who will have fallen behind and deserve a chance for a boost. I'm not naive enough to expect to be paid for it though!

I think it is a positive development to close the gap and let kids catch up. I also think teachers should be paid additionally for it. And yes that makes me unpopular amongst teachers but hey ho.

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

No I will not. We've been working our backsides off and it's been stressful and tearful at times, we need a break.

I see nothing "positive" about this at all and hope it falls flat on its face.

@ITonyah

If you had read my post properly I am all for schools reopening early or summer schools as nothing compares to classroom based teaching

My point to you was how dare you presume our state school kids will fall behind

My daughter is forecast to achieve 7 Nat 5s at level A not bad for a state school child eh

If this went ahead, which it wont, it wont help bridge the gaps it will just cause more pupils to burn out'

Burn out? They have just had weeks and weeks off school!!

I also think teachers should be paid additionally for it.

Unlikely to happen, when the Gov claim to have thousands of volunteers willing to help out.

FFS bernie .

Teachers aren't being precious.

@Biscuit0110
I don't think the children need a break, they have been at home for two months already - I am really delighted. It tells me that the children in this country come first.
And it tells me and many others, that they don't give a shit about education staff!! As a teacher I've been planning online lessons, marking them, plus all the other school related work, as well as being in school to care for key workers children. Now you want me to work through the Summer as well???? Children might have had a break, but staff certainly haven't.

My point to you was how dare you presume our state school kids will fall behind

I'm amazed you don't think your dcs will fall behind with no teaching.

As a teacher - no, I've been working my socks off.
As a parent - no, my son's been working his socks off.
We. Need. A. Break. 👍

Burn out? They have just had weeks and weeks off school!!

Did you deliberately miss all the posts saying how much children had been doing whilst supposedly having weeks and weeks off school?

Children haven’t just had weeks off, they’ve been learning at home, they still need a break.

Is this the same op who wanted to put up marquees on school fields and anyone who disagreed obviously didn't care about the kids ????!!!!

@Lala241280 you said earlier you were worried about your dd losing teaching (presumably she will be starting highers) We've started our new courses and I don't think they will be behind at all, I can see the work they send and we can email students (and them us). A practical subject would obviously be more affected.

I welcome the idea! Many children are missing out on education and it's important that they catch up. I think the current y 5 and y9 & y10 would benefit the most.

I don't get why so many teachers on here are so set against it. I know you are all working at the moment. But you are not working to full capacity and many of the children will be behind when they go back... making your life even more difficult! So anything to erase the pressure should be welcome.

I don’t think it will happen. How are they going to staff it for a start. I’ve been working my socks off and won’t be going in in the summer- even if extra pay is offered. My students will also definitely need a break by then. Adjusting the exam system for next year’s students is a much more practical option.

@zaphodbeeble
I think it could be!

@bakingbernie

Do you have children?
If so, have you not done any homeschooling with them?
If not, why not? They are your responsibility after all.

Perhaps MPs could return to Parliament and catch up with all the work they have missed too?

Thought so @LadyPenelope68 !!