Why can't secondary schools do lessons via zoom?

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

I know not every child will have access to a computer or be able to log online but I'm surprised our school has not attempted it or even pre recorded lessons like the online oakwork academy. I know most private schools are setting up lessons via zoom. I really hope the government and schools take this into consideration for our children especially those coming up for GCSE's next year. It's just seems our children will be disadvantaged.

We had a letter from LEA stating that remote provision for children ineligible to return might reduce further. Like you, we have had no online lessons.

Had an email from Headteacher last night with lots of quotes from parent survey he sent out with lovely positive comments about the education we have provided to their children via Zoom and portal for submission of work. Feeling so happy at the positivity -is making the hard work worthwhile.

Zoom works in phones and tablets...show me a kid that doesn't have that. Microsoft teams does as well which is more secure

Neither of mine have a tablet.

Phones are not good for actually viewing work on or completing work.

I teach kids that do not have smart phones and/or the space on phones to add stored material or apps and/or have very small screens.

Not everyone is affluent.

Firstly I wouldn’t want to video myself multiple times and give it to the hands of teenagers, I don’t put anything of myself on social media so I wouldn’t be comfortable.

Secondly there needs to be some kind of deployment and consistency to remote learning but this has to be developed by the government, the government already underfunds education.
This is not the teacher’s fault.

I wouldn’t be able to mark 270 pieces of work a day . On the computer , it’s too hard and takes too long.

I have been really dispirited by the state school lowest common denominator approach. Some don’t have screens - no lessons for anyone. Some aren’t going back this term - no proper lessons for anyone or its “not fair”. If dd weren’t in year 6 I’d go private and I hate saying that as we both state educated and are real supporters.

Also why are schools focussed on providing food for vulnerable chaotic families? Surely that’s social care for social workers they should be educating? I’m alright Jack as pay for private tutors and can do humanities and languages myself.

Zoom works in phones and tablets...show me a kid that doesn't have that. Microsoft teams does as well which is more secure

50% of the children in my school do not have access to a suitable device and/or WiFi.

Well pretty much all of dds classmates do and surely ones without can go into school or be lent devices?

Have you heard of the cuts to social care? I agree social care should be ding this. But they aren't.

And it is the government who has , over many years, decreed that schools are there for more than just to 'educate' children with cuts to other services. I am glad your realise now how much pressure schools are under to do more than teach.

I have been really dispirited by the state school lowest common denominator approach. Some don’t have screens - no lessons for anyone. Some aren’t going back this term - no proper lessons for anyone or its “not fair”

That’s the whole state sector is it? Thanks a bunch.

Also why are schools focussed on providing food for vulnerable chaotic families?
Because that’s part of our job. What would you suggest we do? Not bother?

Surely that’s social care for social workers they should be educating?
Nope. We’ve been picking up lots of other support jobs since other services have been repeatedly under funded for years.

I’m alright Jack as pay for private tutors and can do humanities and languages myself
So you just commented to make teachers feel shit? I see.

Teachers are the ones that are told they don't live in the real world!

Our 1600 pupil secondary was granted 8 laptops by the DfE !

We don't have any more to lend out to pupils.

I very much get the impression that you don't care about the have nots.

@MsTSwift

Well pretty much all of dds classmates do and surely ones without can go into school or be lent devices?

You know them all personally? Or you you know a handful and are basing your generic statement upon it?

You don’t know them all and have no clue what provision is a available in each household.

Would it be ok for a teacher to set work that was wildly out of your daughters ability range and then tell you well most of the other children in the class are brighter than your daughter so this work is the work we’ll set.
Teaching doesn’t work like that, thank God.

Well pretty much all of dds classmates do and surely ones without can go into school or be lent devices?

Vulnerable children can go into school. KW children can go into school.

Not having a device and/or WiFi doesn’t qualify. Which is why my school, amongst many others have found a different way round this.

“Lent devices” from WHERE?

Teachers are repeatedly explaining the issues, why are some on here insisting that zoom or similar is the only way to do things??

Saying this isn't possible simply isn't true. It has been up and running in Italy for weeks via Microsoft teams and has been working very well for secondary students. They have even done P.E. and music that way. We live in a very remote village and although there are always a few tech hitches, on the whole it works. The authority has helped to provide some equipment to those who didn't have anything, but in general everyone already had a phone or a laptop or a tablet. I believe some help has also been given for people without broadband. The decree also made attendance obligatory. It just takes a commitment on the part of the govt and local authority to make it work.

Just saying what I see.
State primary. One email a day
No marking
No lessons
No feedback

My friends a governer she’s frustrated by the attitude. Elder dds state secondary doing really well. I draw my own conclusions thanks.

It just takes a commitment on the part of the govt

And there you have your problem.

better to fail all kids than some kids

It actually probably is.

Otherwise all the kids with IT access will do well in their GCSEs because the grade boundaries will be at normal levels. But if all students have had an equal lack of teaching the grade boundaries will be lower next year and every child will get the grade they’d probably have got anyway. It’s just the boundary for the grade will be lower.....which affects nobody.

Rather than having all the socially disadvantaged kids fucked over even more while the middle class kids (I know I’m generalising) Aren’t affected. This way hopefully nobody is affected.

Also, we are not in Victorian England. Even the have nots have got mobile phones these days. Internet penetration in the UK in 2019 was 93%. In Italy is was only 85%. And yet are doing these lessons already and it works really well. Please guys, start to expect more of your government.

It just takes a commitment on the part of the govt and local authority to make it work.

Ahhhh you see, there’s the problem.

Call me.old fashioned @jacobreesmogadishu, but education isn't about GCSE grades, it's about, you know, education.... The grades show you how much education you have had. It's better that some people get some education than no one gets any. All for equality but not a race to the bottom. How is it fair that secondary kids in Italy are getting an education but children in the UK aren't?

I’m not blaming teachers. I am aware of their instructions from the government. Their remit was Childcare for key workers and support for vulnerable families. That’s it. Nothing about educating the majority! I find that shocking for anything longer than a short term measure. They are schools that’s the whole point surely or have I missed something ? !

plucked those figures are for the adult population. Broadband penetration, on the other hand, is very poor.

How are we to expect more from our government? When we raise issues we are told we are militantly unionised and should just 'crack on'.

Since you seem to be in Italy plucked it is only fair to point out that Microsoft Teams etc. also not unique to Italy. Most schools in the UK are using MT or Goggle Classroom or some other platform, contrary to what you might read on here.

This is a different debate to the ideas of live , video lessons and the Zoom enthusiasts!

Teachers who are doing social work are masking the problem. Why do unions who are so gong go about forbidding tea gets from doing the work they are paid for -ie setting g lessons/teaching/marking and yet happy for them to do other people's jobs.

I have been really dispirited by the state school lowest common denominator approach. Some don’t have screens - no lessons for anyone. Some aren’t going back this term - no proper lessons for anyone or its “not fair”. If dd weren’t in year 6 I’d go private and I hate saying that as we both state educated and are real supporters.

^

This

I really do believe at this point that either schools stop making excuses, start finding solutions otherwise open schools fully.