My DS' (Y2) Primary School Confirmed Not Going Back Before September

[roses2]

My DS' school confirmed today that because of the class size restrictions they can only accept back Yr, Y1 and Y6 and the other years will not be back before September.

I am absolutely devastated for his lack of contact with friends and loss of education. I thought the plan Boris had announced was that all primary would be going back at least for one month. Six months no school (ok some of which was holidays) is a huge amount of time with little social contact with friends for a 7 year old.

The school have also been pretty shit at setting homework. They issue a weekly program but all this does it link us to various websites. There is no marking by the teacher.

Anyone else in the same boat?

I think many of us are worried about our kids at this time.

It sounds like your school has not been doing a very good job. That sounds frustrating. I understand that state schools in England can't do online lessons for safety reasons, but they ought to be setting a program of work, marking it and giving feedback.

Can you recreate at home some of the stuff that you were hoping would come from a return to school? If the school doesn't set any proper resources, can you get your own textbooks and workbooks? Is paying for some online tutoring at option?

Remember that England is coming out of strict lockdown and people will start gradually mixing with other households again. Perhaps you could talk to some of your friends who are in the same boat and pick one or two families to socialize with in a low risk way (outdoor meetings, masks etc.)?

The problem your school most likely has is that they only have enough staff to cater to those year groups. If staff are self isolating because they are clinically vulnerable then they won't be able to come into school.

I thought the plan Boris had announced was that all primary would be going back at least for one month.

His 'ambition' was that all primary would go back for one month. How did you imagine that would happen if schools have to keep to classes of 15 children?

How would you like your school to mark your son's work? Contact them and ask them to. I would love some parents to email me some work that I could mark. As far as I'm currently aware I'm just shouting into the void - and taking about 6 hours a day to do the shouting.

We are in Ireland and our schools are all off until September for everyone. My 7 year old is however getting work set weekly by his teacher. I send it back daily and she marks it and always has encouraging messages/ corrections by return email. She has actually increased the work load she sends to include more subjects and while he says he hates doing it he generally does it willingly and I think likes the routine,

Boris talks nonsense at the best of times. Why did you put any faith in him and his government?

Its a bit brave to say they wont be back because advice /guidance changes all the time. However as the current guidance and advice stands, many schools will not be able to have all of the children back in school.