School have announced today closed until September apart from some contact for 4th years and lower 6th

[happilybemused]

Anyone else had this ? Or know what shape contact with 4th years and lower 6th is likely to take ?

I thought years 1 and 6 were going back in June; I've just had a email from school confirming this

I think the OP's school is secondary and independent.
It would sort of make sense as the independents finish in June or early July so they haven't really got time to do a rolled out reopening

Years 10&12 are supposed to go back in early June iur school have said most likely years 7-9 will go back in September

OP is talking about Y10 and Y12, some schools have different terminology.

I don't think the Government guidance for Secondary schools as been published yet, because you don't need much time to sort out a Secondary school before 1 June! What the Government has said so far is very wooly, face to face contact.

This is what Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, said the other day in Parliament:
"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"

Hopefully schools will get more guidance soon. Does look as if they are hinting at a schedule of work for over the summer holidays.

Sorry I should have made it clear secondary and Independent.

Thanks for the statement. Sounds as if they could be setting work for over the school holidays.

Haven't got a child in year 6 as mine are older but no idea why they ate going back.

DS 1 did absolute nothing after his SATs !

All state secondary’s near me are same and have already confirmed years 7-9 off til sept

I agree year 6 is pointless

We’ve had a school email this morning. Year 12 back w/c 1st June for 2 weeks. Short days and not every day. Year 10 w/c 15th for 2 weeks, short days, not every day. Rinse and repeat. Years 7-9 September.

Schools won't be open over the summer holidays.

Some year 10 and 12 face time before the end of July is suggested by the government document issued earlier this week to teaching staff.

Our Head has sent us teachers her proposal for the face time with teachers, and it is extremely limited. A few hours a week will be offered.

There will no Year 10 all in at once and back to lessons as they were before lockdown.

And this will only go ahead, if the five tests have been met - and at our school it is starting later in June.

Schools will differ depending on pupils, size of site, etc. But one thing has been made absolutely clear, state schools will not open over the long summer holiday.

That's interesting thanks for sharing. I guess I'll expect similar for my year 10.

Going to be a logistical nightmare getting him there though as unlikely to be school transport!

DS's school breaks up on 2nd July and is providing really good remote learning. I would much rather he stayed at home doing that than part-time in school. He is in Y10

I wasn't suggesting schools will be open over the summer holidays but I am wondering whether the pupils will be provided with some holiday work

The government announced an aspiration for years 10 and 12 to have “some” face time with teachers before the end of term. I read that as meaning that years 7/8/9/11/13 definitely won’t barring God descending from a cloud tomorrow saying “Aha! Now you have understood my test and learned the true meaning of neighbourliness, I will remove the plague”.

Pretty much all secondary schools will be doing this.

It is basically what Boris said in his Sunday speech and related briefings.

The Govt were just very careful to frame it as two school years getting teacher time vs shutting the rest of secondaries.

@happilybemused Yes, should have said no school transport running, school confirmed.

@IDefinitelyHaveFriends I laughed at that comment!

@ineedaholidaynow, if your DS is doing ok at home and you're reluctant for any part time learning, you will be able to continue as you are, no problem. Do whatever is best for both of you. It's been made clear that it will be an offer from schools (the face to face thing) but isn't compulsory. We will contact parents/carers to find out what they intend to do beforehand, and then we will have an idea of amounts in school and teacher/room allocation. There will be no fines for parents who don't send kids in. This is in the guidelines, so please don't worry.

I don't know about different schools setting holiday work I'm sure the school will clarify further down the line. We are working to strict term times for work - so our students were not expected to work over Easter, and won't be over the half term that's approaching. Of course, there is always work they can access if the choose too - but it's up to the students. If no work is set for the summer break, and you're concerned, I'd suggest emailing the teachers and they will advise of any reading etc., to get ahead for year 11.

@ineedaholidaynow that is exactly how I feel.

My year 10 son is fortune enough to be getting really good remote learning.

I'd also prefer that than going in and out of school part time.

His journey takes 30 mins there and back .

Should add I do appreciate it was entirely my choice to send him to a school some distance away !

That’s what the school I work at (secondary, independent) are doing. I think that’s the plan for most schools, because those year groups are having to be separated into many small classes, so there’s no way to have other year groups in at the same time.

@happilybemused I have exactly the same issue with transport too, and a slightly longer journey, again our choice.

DS is getting full live timetable, work is being marked including homework, he has chance to work collaboratively with some of his peers on some topics, all remotely of course. He is finding the structure really good, in fact I think he is working harder than when he was actually in school!

I am assuming he could have a virtual face to face with all his teachers. His is a small school so social distancing would probably be feasible, but as the system they have is currently working I would rather they continue that than to have to faff about getting something sorted in school that would possibly be part-time.

@ineedaholidaynow exactly the same here. Full timetable and I do appreciate how fortunate we are.

Also would prefer say a couple of skype calls from his Tutor and continue online.

We probably send our children to the same school 😂

I was thinking that @happilybemused

I also am very grateful for what his school is providing, especially as many of his teachers will also be working hard on getting the grades sorted for Y11 and Y13.