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Original poster

What online provision is your primary giving?

229 replies

WhatWillSantaBring · 05/01/2021 14:28

My primary is stating that it is complying with DfE minimum guidance. We are getting worksheets and lesson plans uploaded, links to online lessons (from third parties) and one zoom call a week.

Am i being unreasonable to expect more? The KS1 lessons need almost permanent adult support and the lesson plans are really hard for me (as a non-teacher) to follow.

If it makes a difference, we're in an affluent area, the school is a pretty well funded faith school. I know we're on day 1 but I want to know whether we should be asking for better.

OP posts:
Bluewavescrashing · 05/01/2021 19:55

@Nikhedonia have you actually asked the school for more work?

And also, this is day 1. We spent a lot of time today dealing with software issues, having zoom meetings about safety in school for critical worker children and vulnerable groups, safeguarding training, setting up accounts for children to access home learning, doing timetables, getting rotas sorted etc. Tomorrow you might find things are more comprehensive. Give them a chance.

Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 19:56

I think it's a bit soon to be outraged about an entire profession because some schools haven't hit the mark on the first day.

It's day two for us and DD's school have stated that it will be worksheets on google classroom. No indication that this is an interim measure and will be improved upon. No indication that the teacher will be in contact with us to discuss her progress or provide feedback.

Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 19:57

[quote Bluewavescrashing]@Nikhedonia have you actually asked the school for more work?

And also, this is day 1. We spent a lot of time today dealing with software issues, having zoom meetings about safety in school for critical worker children and vulnerable groups, safeguarding training, setting up accounts for children to access home learning, doing timetables, getting rotas sorted etc. Tomorrow you might find things are more comprehensive. Give them a chance.[/quote]
Yes, I've emailed DD's teacher. I tend to get a response to emails from her about two weeks later, so fingers crossed I get some more work early Feb.

ArosAdraDrosDolig · 05/01/2021 19:57

One primary. A few lane links to Twinkl worksheets and ‘why don’t you read on Bug Club?

Other primary is a living nightmare. Twice daily zoom sessions and four tasks a day on Google classroom.

TrickQuestions · 05/01/2021 19:58

@Nikhedonia

I think it's a bit soon to be outraged about an entire profession because some schools haven't hit the mark on the first day.

It's day two for us and DD's school have stated that it will be worksheets on google classroom. No indication that this is an interim measure and will be improved upon. No indication that the teacher will be in contact with us to discuss her progress or provide feedback.

Like I say, in the first lockdown it took my DD's school a couple of weeks to find their feet. They went from crap to amazing in that time. Hopefully your dc's school will be similar.
lavenderlou · 05/01/2021 20:02

I can guarantee that there will be at least one other parent in your DC's class that will be complaining about there being too much work. Grin

lavenderlou · 05/01/2021 20:03

Oops, sorry that was in response to the post upthread saying the work was too quick to complete.

Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 20:04

@lavenderlou

I can guarantee that there will be at least one other parent in your DC's class that will be complaining about there being too much work. Grin
Which is why I think it's easier to just leave the school to doing what they want to do. I'll do the worksheets with DD and get a tutor in so she's actually excelling. I can't be bothered to try and force the school to provide sufficient work.
Bluewavescrashing · 05/01/2021 20:04

A typical day's work in my school, for year 1, looks like:
30 mins English - a video and/ or PowerPoint, independent written or practical activity
Maths- as above
Phonics- 20 min video and activity
Handwriting--15 min video and activity
Foundation--eg geography or science or history or design technology- 30 min activity
Story time via zoom - 30 mins live with the class teacher
Reading via Big Club- 20 mins on an individually set book and 20 mins answering questions
Spelling on spelling shed-15 mins

I really think that's more than enough for a 5 or 6 year old.

MotherForker · 05/01/2021 20:05

If you are working one to one with a child they would be doing 5 hours learning a day. An hour I so max, would be the same as a while day in a class.

And also, they've had 12 hours notice to convert in person lessons to online, and sort through KW place applications, etc. New risk assessments have to be done because of new strain too. Give them time.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/01/2021 20:05

Our school seems to have worked really hard to put a realistic timetables in place for KS1 & KS2, as well as paper packs to supplement than can be collected before the end of the week. Unfortunately we'll struggle with the online aspect, we can just about juggle enough devices for the 4 of them but we're rural & although we have the best broadband available it isn't great so I can't see it'll cope with 3 or 4 of them trying to log on to Google Classroom at once. That's not schools fault though, I've sent them an email to let them know, we'll try it tomorrow but if it doesn't work I'll get 1 or 2 to do it one day, 1 or 2 the next & so on. I'm sure they'll be understanding.

Toastybutt · 05/01/2021 20:06

@ArosAdraDrosDolig
Prime example- you don’t like either option. So what do we do? Some parents want 9-3 live lessons, some just want to be left alone with nothing. Most somewhere in between.
We are expected to give about 3 hours work as stated. Most schools will try to tailor this to the majority of parents in their school.
We cannot win. But agree a couple of Twinkl worksheets is crap and not appropriate.

Kljnmw3459 · 05/01/2021 20:06

Ours have taken to consideration that many kids will need to share their devices with siblings or parents. So we have pre recorded lessons, independent work and a virtual live lesson with a teacher once a day.

Parker231 · 05/01/2021 20:07

The teachers were in school teaching a normal day up to yesterday, when do you think they have had time to prepare home schooling material?
The BBC material starts next week so no shortage of classes will be available.

LoLo2020 · 05/01/2021 20:08

Year 3 - two teacher/ class video catches up per day plus online videos, worksheets for maths, english, handwriting and a specific topic to research and write about. Seems pretty thorough at this stage

3littlewords · 05/01/2021 20:10

@Bluewavescrashing

A typical day's work in my school, for year 1, looks like: 30 mins English - a video and/ or PowerPoint, independent written or practical activity Maths- as above Phonics- 20 min video and activity Handwriting--15 min video and activity Foundation--eg geography or science or history or design technology- 30 min activity Story time via zoom - 30 mins live with the class teacher Reading via Big Club- 20 mins on an individually set book and 20 mins answering questions Spelling on spelling shed-15 mins

I really think that's more than enough for a 5 or 6 year old.

More or less exactly same as my Y1. I think he will need supervising alot with this especially getting to grips with the technology etc. I can imagine this to be a nightmare for parents who need to work at the same time
Icenii · 05/01/2021 20:10

Well it looks at least some schools have managed to sort it out.

starrynight19 · 05/01/2021 20:11

Really pleased with both my dd school. Some teething problems getting on to live lessons but expecting them to be ironed out. A mixture of live lessons and work set. A form registration each morning and an expectation to log onto google classroom each lesson for instructions of what to do.

starrynight19 · 05/01/2021 20:13

@Icenii

Well it looks at least some schools have managed to sort it out.
I would say most from the posts on here. For those who aren’t happy you do need to contact your school. But it’s early days yet.
Nikhedonia · 05/01/2021 20:14

@Icenii

Well it looks at least some schools have managed to sort it out.
Exactly. Lots of schools have been preparing and are providing a brilliant education considering the circumstances.
ArosAdraDrosDolig · 05/01/2021 20:16

Toastybutt

Who said I didn’t like either option? I’m very happy with the first school who leave me to it.

But I appreciate that others might not know where to start and want more guidance. I don’t mind the second school providing that level of input but I don’t like them expecting me to deliver four different curricula to four children.

Hollyhead · 05/01/2021 20:18

I’m surprised how many of you welcome live lessons. There’s no way I could manage them for two children alongside work. We get 3 robust activities a day and it’s fine - much easier to slot in. I personally think teachers reading end of the day stories is a total ease of time - loads of free audiobooks/CBeebies bedtime stories available.

ArosAdraDrosDolig · 05/01/2021 20:19

toastybutt I have teachers in my close friends and family. I know how hard they are all working. I wouldn’t mind at all if they hadn’t set anything up at all today. I have teacher friends who have been in tears at work today.

But I’d love it if the school could cut me some slack too as we get to grips with it. And trust me to know what’s best for my children.

mynamesnotsam · 05/01/2021 20:27

How long do we need to give schools to sort it out? So far all we have is the daily scheduled lessons on Oak Academy.

Parker231 · 05/01/2021 20:29

Ofcom estimates 1.8 million kids don't have access to a laptop, desktop or tablet.
-even if there's a phone to hand 11% of the population don't have home internet access
-880,000 kids live in homes with only a mobile internet connection.