Can schools actually take any measures against parents who fail at home-schooling

[emptydreamer]

I have a couple of friends who have received messages from the school that online attendance / registers will be monitored and failure to engage will be escalated accordingly. My children's school also chased on a couple of overdue tasks and online lessons (both KS1), hinting that there will be consequences for not coping well.

This seems to be a complete u-turn to the previous messages from same schools - mental health is important, we're in this together, just read, bake, play and you'll be fine etc.

My question is whether schools actually can take any measures against parents who are late with submitting work / struggle with organising online attendance etc.

I don't want this to turn into a teacher bashing thread, I'd probably explode myself if I had children at home AND I had to teach other people's children at the same time as well. But it does feel like maybe the guidance for schools has changed at the top level?

If you are having problems accessing home learning because you aren't IT literate, don't have a device or have a poor internet connection, then should let your child's school know so they can make alternative arrangements. Teachers and TAs are happy to teach parents how to use the necessary software and websites, and we can even provide Chromebooks on loan. If connectivity is an issue, then we can also provide paper packs.
I am IT literate (if software development counts, of course), we have devices and an internet connection. That's exactly the patronising attitude from the school that feels a bit like a slap in the face - as if I must be stupid, uneducated or wilfully ignoring my children's education just because I am EVIL.

I need to work 10-12 hours a day in order to pay my mortgage and feed everyone here. If I decide to block out 3 hours x 2 to supervise my two KS1 children who can't do work independently, no one is going to employ me, it is as simple as that. I lost one contract already at the beginning of the lockdown, I cannot sleep at night now at the thought that I will lose my current one due to underperformance.

Well the curriculum was paused last time. Now parents are supposed to morph homes into schools and workplaces. We have special superpowers that allow us to simultaneously teach multiple years groups alongside professional jobs.

As a teacher I feel huge pressure to make sure my students are accessing the home learning I am providing but as a parent I am struggling to get my own children to fully engage! I feel really bad checking up on parents but I have been told to by the senior leaders and I have to prove I have done it. The senior leaders themselves are under pressure to ensure that the online provision is good and that students are engaging with it.

The key word is 'accountability'. There were complaints last lockdown on the quality, quantity and consistency of the home learning provision so therefore this time there is an increase in pressure from above. That means this pressures ends up being passed down the line to the parents.

I'm a teacher.
My eldest was told by her Food Technology teacher -that those not making the Chicken Biranyi would face emails to their parents and sanctions.

I'm waiting.............

I'm waiting, because so help her (the teacger), should I get a email putting my DD in detention or other for not making a chicken curry her teacher gave her 3 days notice to make, the email response I will not be able to hold back. We don't eat the above and I'm not going to tesco to get ingredients when we are ECV and I'm not wasting food. So let her email...........we go once a fortnight and it is for essential shopping.

Oh god I hope they can't, I'm looking at you our youngest child!

Chicken curry.😂😂

We managed 3 days with ours but Google classrooms is a mess, slides don't work, general tech issues.
That's with me not going to work.

Anyone rings me up being snotty will be told to sod off.

Oh god it's a complete nightmare. As a teacher (secondary) chasing up work is taking up most of my time. But there are so many who have genuine issues with it.

My best suggestion is to communicate with the school. Email everyday if you have to at the end of the day saying this is what we did/didn't manage today. It will stop them chasing you and you might get some empathy! Sorry you got told off.

@Randomschoolworker19, what is your answer to children being unwilling to work and struggling to engage? Because that’s our problem. We have a laptop we can prioritise for our Year 1 child, and a table he can work at. We managed to arrange this week for DC2 (aged 1) to be out of the way in the mornings. So we have the tech, it works and we have one engaged parent who is able to give DC1 their undivided attention while the other works. (And I am under no illusion as to how deeply privileged this makes us.)

But he won’t focus. He won’t or can’t concentrate. He doesn’t want to work. He wants to play. (And we can have the TV off but we can’t possibly hide all his toys - there just isn’t the space). He isn’t interested in the topic. He needs a snack. He needs a drink of water. He doesn’t understand what the teacher on the video is asking. He can’t remember how to write a capital F. The postman’s just been! Is there anything for him? Oh. Now he needs a poo. It’s too hard, anyway, and he can’t do it. Can he have a break now?

I mean, literally, he could distract himself in an empty room. He will not focus unless he is in the right mood and he just isn’t in the right frame of mind at home. We end up with procrastination, whining, tears, outright refusal, tantrums - you name it, we’ve had it. It’s become A Thing because he has twigged that we want/expect him to do it.

So what’s the answer to that? I mean, I feel like a complete failure because if we can’t manage it, how the hell are those in less privileged positions expected to manage, with multiple children, or minimal space, or trying to work at the same time, or all of the above and then some?

During lockdown 1 the national curriculum was suspended.

I teach year 1 and I've been asked to monitor which children attend zoom meetings, which parents answer welfare phone calls, who submits work and who attends 1:1 sessions over zoom.

I had to file 4 confidential reports today about families disengaging with home learning. What the head does with that information is up to him. I provide the work, teach over zoom, as well as teachingy keyworker bubble in school. I record videos, give links to useful online content, assess work that is uploaded and give feedback, phone parents, offer advice, refer to other avenues of support but I can't be there at home in person to teach the child.

I suppose if children are not doing work at home and consequently not then in attendance, would the head then escalate that to those people who issue fines?

It’s very worrying.

@Bluewavescrashing

During lockdown 1 the national curriculum was suspended.

I teach year 1 and I've been asked to monitor which children attend zoom meetings, which parents answer welfare phone calls, who submits work and who attends 1:1 sessions over zoom.

I had to file 4 confidential reports today about families disengaging with home learning. What the head does with that information is up to him. I provide the work, teach over zoom, as well as teachingy keyworker bubble in school. I record videos, give links to useful online content, assess work that is uploaded and give feedback, phone parents, offer advice, refer to other avenues of support but I can't be there at home in person to teach the child.

Thank you. Do you think that families you filed reports about are genuinely neglectful in the current situation? I have no doubt that you are doing your best.

@Laurendelight there won't be fines, but other agencies like EWO may get involved to see what the issues are and to see if any help can be offered

I have questioned whether the responsibility for progression in learning now falls to the parent. If a child in my class didn't make progress in normal times I would be held accountable. But now, if I'm throwing everything possible at these children, in some cases they have an ipad on loan from school (bought out of the school's budget as the Dfe don't fund laptops or ipads for KS1 children), in some cases they receive a very substantial food parcel in lieu of freeschool meals (unlike theuch publicised substandard parcels), what else can I do?

Every family is different. Some have both parents WFH long hours, high pressure meetings, many siblings sharing tech etc. Some don't. Home learning is extremely challenging for all concerned and there are no easy answers.

@justanotherneighinparadise

Well the curriculum was paused last time. Now parents are supposed to morph homes into schools and workplaces. We have special superpowers that allow us to simultaneously teach multiple years groups alongside professional jobs.

Apparently so

However parents can actually do as much or as little as appropriate to their situation.

The school now needs to provide work. Though nothing will happen if it is not done. (Obviously other than the child possibly fall behind).

@Laurendelight

I suppose if children are not doing work at home and consequently not then in attendance, would the head then escalate that to those people who issue fines?

It’s very worrying.

No. All that is suspended due to there being a pandemic.

Only the school will get in trouble if they don't make an effort.

No. Secondaries will monitor attendance on live lessons but primaries can’t do much. Most of us understand everyone is just doing their best.
I’m a teacher and am trying to wfh and sort my kids home learning out and we aren’t doing everything they’ve been set. It’s impossible!

@Bluewavescrashing

I have questioned whether the responsibility for progression in learning now falls to the parent. If a child in my class didn't make progress in normal times I would be held accountable. But now, if I'm throwing everything possible at these children, in some cases they have an ipad on loan from school (bought out of the school's budget as the Dfe don't fund laptops or ipads for KS1 children), in some cases they receive a very substantial food parcel in lieu of freeschool meals (unlike theuch publicised substandard parcels), what else can I do?

Every family is different. Some have both parents WFH long hours, high pressure meetings, many siblings sharing tech etc. Some don't. Home learning is extremely challenging for all concerned and there are no easy answers.

Good question

Interested to hear the answer

I hope not. If the teacher and the school are meeting all requirements from their end

I sent my DC teachers a message in the first week. DH and I are both key workers working full time. We are fortunate enough to be able to have some weekdays where DH is off and doing school work with the DC. We do the rest at the weekend when I'm off work. I told the teachers we will do what we can when they can.

If they wish to object, then DH and I will just have to send our DC into school to get the work done to their suiting.

As far as I'm aware they can't sanction you but can request you put your dc back in school if they feel they are vulnerable. I stress this wouldn't be aimed at parents going a bit off piste with the home schooling, more at families aren't doing any learning

This thread is so hilarious. As if two parents both WFH can engage with every bit of 'home learning'!!! What planet are people on that they are expecting this? Of course kids will be parked in front of the TV for hours per day if there are meetings and calls to be done. -Nothing has changed since the last lockdown when the curriculum is suspended, in fact it's even harder to motivate the kids. Parents are not miracle workers.

@BabyYodaYada
I did the same, but I was told that registrations (two daily for each child, different times, 30 mins each) and online lessons are not optional, and engagement with them is compulsory. I understand that if you miss one of the registrations, the child will be marked absent for a half day following that registration.

That is ridiculous @emptydreamer. Can you get in touch with the board of governors?

@BigGreen
In my case there's only one hands-on parent... interestingly enough, no one calls their dad to remind that colouring-in worksheet was not uploaded on time.

Today I was told that I could be fined.

I have three teens, two are coping okay, the youngest (14) not at all. She is completely disengaged, unmotivated, depressed, never comes out of her room, doesn’t talk much, is generally furious, and is doing no work.

She is supposed to go into school tomorrow and all of next week and will then be allowed to learn from home again if she gets back into the work.

At the moment she is saying she won’t go in, but I have told her she has a to.

Her school are also looking into her having a mentor but I don’t know how long that will take.

In the middle of my conversation with her tutor today he told me about the new guidance which sees parents responsible for their children’s online attendance and the EWO involved in the usual way - similarly to if that child were in school.

Another DfE brainwave - to add stress and fear to what is already a very stressful and frightening situation for all of us.

I can’t see an end to it.

@BigGreen

That is ridiculous *@emptydreamer*. Can you get in touch with the board of governors?

That's probably what I will do, even if just to protect myself in case if there is any further action taken. I understand that it is not easy for the teachers either though, and that the pressure I am feeling is just a trickle-down from the pressure at the top.