Child's education screwed. Repeat the year?

[KaysKey]

My son is in year 9. Online homework hasn't been that great, he is missing out on so much, socially and intellectually. It makes me very sad. Message to Boris, why not just reset and let kids repeat the year. 2020 is dead

@Blackbear19 I totally agree. I can't believe the naivety to think parents can homeschool their children... Ignoring basically the fact that we still have households working full time from home or out of the home, having multiple children, SEN, parents whose English is not the first language... The list is endless.

I think it's a possibility.

If we have a second wave in the autumn-winter and the schools shutdown for a considerable time, then I think it's a huge possibility come September 2021.

** Not to mention the fact that some parents aren’t academically able enough to teach the content from upper key stage two (year 6 maths takes some thinking about even for me, a person with two degrees). My mum has always had a mental block with maths and couldn’t help me at all when I was growing up. Lots of people would really struggle).

@BrutusMcDogface I agree just wait until we are still in the same situation at the end of the year with schools potentially closed and let’s hear all the parents then. I agree with you. Some of us WFM must have a more intense job because I don’t see how others are doing it with 3 kids and more and holding down a job too. Something has to give..

If you are feeling fragile...dont go on mumsnet aibu.

It's not AIBU! But I would say if feeling fragile avoid mumsnet altogether at the moment.

Or if they stay in (probably developmentally unsuitable) childcare, where do the babies go?

They can wait and start at 5 like we do in Scotland,

MintyMabel your missing the point, if nurseries/ preschools don't move kids up they'd be no space at the bottom for babies / toddlers to start.

There is only 6mths between Scottish children and English children starting school, 1st March to 1st Sept.

My conclusion is primary kids should be able to cope, other countries start later and fit in the same amount of learning.

High Schools and exam years, is where the issue really is. I think you have to allow kids to make their own decisions.
The top will move up, the bottom repeat. Those in the middle, some will move up some will repeat, some might decide gamble on moving up in the hope they'd be less competition later for uni and jobs.

The govt could do something if they wanted. Investing in good online curriculum and improving access to devices and internet is a start and investment for future pandemics.

Consider getting tuition for topics where a child is really stuck? Govt could run summer school/after school teaching for disadvantaged kids - targeted at specific topics where they struggle (so not a regular thing, kids are only referred if they have a specific difficulty in the topic)?

Even before pandemic - wouldn’t it be better to give kids the option of taking 1 extra year for gcses?

Hi OP.

First of all, try not to worry. If your son is doing the work set by his teachers, and you are helping as much as you can given your other responsibilities, then you are doing just fine. Nobody can ask either of you to do more than your best can they?

You are probably imagining everyone else doing so much more but I'm a teacher and can guarantee that they won't be - mostly they'll be doing as much as they can, just like you.

And remember that this is impacting every single Year 9 Pupil, so behind the scenes his teachers will be planning for the eventual return to school and ensuring that essential knowledge will still be taught.

In many ways, you are lucky that he is not in an exam year, or sitting exams next year, although contingencies will be made for those pupils too.

Socially, yes he may be missing his friends. It is a shame, but we all are. I think something like half the planet is or has been locked down. It is weeks out of his long life, and he will recover. Does he talk to friends in other ways?

Try to keep some perspective. If schools are back in September, he's missed a term of his school career, that's all.

And mostly try not to let your worries transfer to him. I'm sure you don't, but I see it so many times - parents fretting aloud and passing their concerns to their previously-oblivious kids. If you tell him to enjoy his unexpected term at home, and that he'll catch up just fine, he'll believe you.

It’s difficult in the current climate but it maybe other ways the time can be made up. For instance shortening school holidays, at the moment we are looking at about 8 weeks, if you take off the Easter holidays and possibly consider lengthening the school day.

Pixxie, but who would teach them in the school holidays? I love my job but I don't get paid for the holidays. I'm not sure many people would work for weeks, unpaid, would they?

I understand what your saying but this could possibly be negotiated, I am not suggesting all school holidays but shortening may be a way forward. They could consider bringing back recited teachers as they did with the nhs or teachers due to qualify. Just a thought.

I think it might prove expensive to recruit, train and pay even retired or student teachers tbh but an interesting idea.

Hi Op, your child won’t be the only one like this many are going to be in the same place. Teaching will have to adjust to that.

I think the government should have changed the academic year. The current school year should continue until December with new one starting in January. Think the current system is a bit outdated set up for farming/harvesting or something I believe. This would give all pupils a chance of returning to their setting/class for some time before moving on. This would be the case for all settings so GCSES,alevels etc next year Would occur Oct/Nov time like resits are available at this time already. Other countries around world do this already. Unis would also start in Jan/Feb time. Children who already have a place for primary,secondary would take it up in January and future parents would apply for a yrR place if their child is 4 by 31st Aug 5months before they start in the following January meaning all children will be at least 4.5yrs. Summer hols should be 4 weeks in July/Aug and 2 weeks in early summer and 2 weeks early autumn. School terms should be divided into blocks of 6/7 weeks. Apologies rushing as I’m off to work hope I’ve made sense!