Stop the doom narrative and campaign to plug the gap.

[SmileEachDay]

The constant narrative from groups like U4T, the wider media AND (if MN is representative) individuals that children now are “a lost generation” and that they will “never catch up” is tremendously damaging.

They may well not be at exactly the (completely arbitrary) age related expectation. Perhaps they aren’t quite at the (complete arbitrary) progress point at secondary. Yes, the GCSE and Alevel students are having a difficult time, and their results will be reached in a different way.

But...

We won’t motivate children or families if we tell them it’s a lost cause.

The EEF are estimating that on average children are two months behind where they “should” (based on an arbitrary measure) be. It’s worse for children from a disadvantaged background - as it has always been.
Rather than claiming they’ll never catch up, would it not be more helpful to:

Tell kids that yes, it’s been tough but that they’ll still reach their potential AND then plough our time and resources into really closing the disadvantage gap. That’s going to mean government funding for educational support services, SEMH services, support for families, literacy support where appropriate, Surestart, youth mentoring - and that’s just off the top of my head.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow
I would have moved heaven and earth to keep educating our kids. Public spaces used so that class sizes could be split. Church halls to community centres. I would have ensured all vulnerable staff kept at home. Used student teachers to fill the gaps. People with highly vulnerable st home would receive blended learning.

I would have thrown everything I could at education

Yet this is the opposite of U4T who you claim to support.

For what it’s worth, i know many people who support them including me. I believe schools should be completely open even if that spreads the virus. Yes I believe other restrictions are required.

So many contradictions,

The constant narrative from groups like U4T, the wider media AND (if MN is representative) individuals that children now are “a lost generation” and that they will “never catch up”

Shaiva - that’s from my OP. If you’re not someone who is peddling this narrative, then I’m not talking about you. I don’t think it’s helpful, I think our time is better spent pushing for changes that will support children.

I don’t know why that makes me hostile 🤷🏻‍♀️

You should stop saying people didn’t give a shit before because they did and do it was just that they were unheard too.
I don't think they're saying nobody gave a shit, but there is absolutely no avoiding the fact that for years our country has voted for governments who don't invest in education.
There's also no avoiding that CRG and the political backing of U4T have a track record that shows they don't care about children and families or disadvantaged people.
There's also been very few threads outside of the education boards discussing educational inequality before this year, so whilst some people will undoubtedly care about this topic there has been a sudden rise in people claiming to care whilst being quite against most suggestions that would help.
There's also no escaping the fact that on here there's dozens and dozens of posts claiming to care about educational inequality that go something like this:

1. I think A should happen. A is best and think of the disadvantaged children. If you don't agree with A then you support educational inequality
2. Replies saying A has its place, but it isn't always the answer. A might further disadvantage students so B C D E F are all good ideas to consider if you want to tackle disadvantage.
3. Poster shows their true colours by saying "but A is best (for my privileged child) and it's not fair to hold everyone back just because some families are poor".

Aka they never cared about educational inequality. They just wanted to hide their demands behind a mask of compassion to try and get support.

On several threads recently I've seen some posters doing the same old thing where they claim to care about disadvantaged, claim teachers want schools closed, have a go at various teacher posters on here for apparently not having solutions, and when solutions and suggestions are made the same posters deny any of them will work / argue that the posters with suggestions are being stupidly optimistic / argue there isn't any money so the posters with suggestions are stupid.

Yes, there's people who care in politics too, but I don't buy for one minute that lobby groups and politicians who were happy for children to starve and have voted to cut services for years care about children's wellbeing. They've realised that if they pretend to care then they might get some support for their 'back as normal asap' agenda that is all about their financial interests.

@noblegiraffe

Good email, Chloe.

What is heartening is that the Catch-Up Tsar agrees with you on the sport and outdoor activities.

One thing to consider about extending the school day with compulsory activities is that it will push out the paid-for non-compulsory activities. The swimming lessons, music, dance etc. This private sector is desperate to get up and running properly again and would be killed - tying them to a school wouldn’t work.

In secondary, extending the school day would have an adverse impact on those with a long commute who already get back home late and then have to squeeze in homework.

Would it have to be tied to a school though? What about if there were vouchers for disadvantaged children to do an activity with a private provider?

If private providers are desperate for money maybe they would be able to come into schools once a week? I know my dc2’s primary had a private football provider which parents needed to pay for a couple of years ago.

Could homework be reviewed so for a child doing say one dance class after school a week, they don’t have to do a piece of homework? Or the school day extended once a week per child. My DC in year 8 already finishes at 2.30 twice a week.

They just wanted to hide their demands behind a mask of compassion to try and get support

This is it exactly Lola - then teachers are cast as obstructive/negative for giving a wider perspective.

What about if there were vouchers for disadvantaged children to do an activity with a private provider?

This is a great idea - it would support children in lots of ways. That would be a good thing to include in a letter to an MP.

This is such a sad thread. 5 pages of us4them and about 4 posts of potential ways to narrow the gaps.
I think a lot of people do give a damn about disadvantaged children and always have but not enough to do anything (or at least enough) about it unless it directly impacts them. Or raises issues for them. I include myself here.
Health, social and education services have been cut to the bone. So whilst I may care, bang on & on at the door of a service trying to get help for a family, I may not be heard. That service doesn’t have capacity to help my long list of vulnerable & disadvantaged families. School attendance seriously helps those disadvantaged kids. Yes, they still need other services but school provides so much more than education. Whilst teachers know this, I’m not sure the general population do. Its not just about passes GCSEs etc. Yes I want schools open but I don’t want vulnerable kids, teachers or their families to be ill/die if it can be prevented. There absolutely needs to be mitigation. Again, there’s a belief (possibly from those without children) that because vulnerable kids are in school and those out are being educated online, that all is ok. Yet, children in general are still missing out on all the other attributes school provides.

Schools capture all children (or the huge majority) and can access them like no other service. Whilst it absolutely shouldn’t be a ‘teachers’ responsibility to be MH expert or provide the needed service, school itself can be hub for other services to access those kids. That’s what needs to happen. Tons of funding for services to be in the schools. I know nothing of forest schools, but definitely more funding for b’fast clubs, fsm, reading, literacy, sports, in school counsellors, safeguarding specialists, school nurses, education psychologists, SEN provision, safe spaces. Some schools have one or two of these but nowhere has everything. Every school should have what services they most need and a large budget to ensure continuation. Pre-school programmes are essential too, surestart programmes increased, adult education, including maths & literacy and within maths (budgeting). Tons of money should be thrown at the poorest and most disadvantaged. But wisely. Evidence based. Non-judgementally. Every parent wants the best for their child and sometimes that fact is forgotten when services are being ‘delivered’ so engagement can be poor.
I’m afraid I’m not clever enough to work out ‘how’ this happens but it doesn’t take an Einstein to see the ‘what’.
And to all your teachers... thank you. Ignore any bashers, they’re far and few between (just a bit loud). 99.9% of people do absolutely appreciate all your efforts. And don’t pay any heed to to us4them idiots. I think you give them way to much attention.

Voluntary after school clubs would be lovely. However, as a parent I provide clubs, social meetings etc for my children. It’s just that we’re not allowed at the moment. Most of the mental health problems will be cured by seeing friends and being able to do the things that they enjoy again. As a parent it’s my responsibility to provide these things, I don’t think it’s down to schools. I agree there is a need for a better system to refer in to when children have mental health needs which can’t be solved by parents and schools.
I think it would be incredibly helpful if government actually listened to parents and teachers about what they need, not a few ‘experts’ who claim to represent them.

I like the activity voucher idea and/or free places for disadvantaged kids.
Some schools have late stay. Could this be a homework & tea club? Like bfast club? Sandwiches & juice. Not necessarily teacher supervised as the homework idea is just time to get it done rather than assistance. Free to the premium/fsm kids but payable for others.

@BungleandGeorge if their MH probs are going to be cured by seeing their mates they’ve not actually got MH problems they’re just missing seeing their mates.
It’s great that you take your kids to clubs and social events but not all parents have the ability to do this for a multitude of reasons. Is the disadvantaged we are talking about here.

Schools have a huge role to play here, but without extra burden on the teachers.

@NotDonna what is your definition of disadvantaged?

If private providers are desperate for money maybe they would be able to come into schools once a week?

It depends on what the classes are. Swimming teachers obviously can't. My DD goes to a dance class that has different ages on different nights and some nights a 'competition class' for less casual members. Sure the provider could come in one day a week to do a general club, but then the whole structure they have built up would be ruined as the competition class members (who go to various schools) wouldn't be available on a different night as they'd be doing compulsory forest school.

I like the idea of vouchers BUT am a bit hesitant because of the issues with childcare vouchers not being enough to cover the actual running costs of childcare, and prices having to be hiked for everyone else or the business going under (this is what happened to a pre-school my DD attended, the government vouchers made it financially inviable). Better a card loaded with actual money that could be used at swimming pools and quality providers that register with the local authority (to avoid people setting up dummy providers just to skim the money).

@NotDonna

I like the activity voucher idea and/or free places for disadvantaged kids. Some schools have late stay. Could this be a homework & tea club? Like bfast club? Sandwiches & juice. Not necessarily teacher supervised as the homework idea is just time to get it done rather than assistance. Free to the premium/fsm kids but payable for others.

This is just wraparound childcare though.

What I would like to see as part of the catch-up is not just a focus on the academics, but also not just a focus on sport and physical fitness.

I think the arts have a large part to play here. We are going through a global event and the arts have always played their part in helping people to process their feelings and express themselves in a healthy way. Music, poetry, painting. Things that have perhaps been pushed out of the curriculum in favour of more maths, grammar and computing. There's definitely a place for workshops in schools by people who know what they are doing (i.e. not me in a PSHE lesson or tutor time as it's really not my area).

Better a card loaded with actual money that could be used at swimming pools and quality providers that register with the local authority

This is a good idea. Agree re the arts also noble

@BungleandGeorge I don’t mean to pounce on you or criticise but I think you raise a point here that somewhat highlights how we do care but not enough until we are affected as individuals.
agree there is a need for a better system to refer in to when children have mental health needs which can’t be solved by parents and schools.
People don’t appreciate how shit other people’s lives are and how dire access to help are either. Until it either effects them or they have their eyes opened in other ways.
For example, the camhs (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) wait lists. A child who is self harming and attempted suicide 3 times is still waiting 6 months later to have a call with camhs. Has had absolutely zero help other than been given a number for Samaritans. The parents aren’t actually disadvantaged / particularly poor but neither can they afford a private therapy/psychiatrist.
Similarly for special needs. The waitlist is years long, years, just to get an assessment. Meanwhile those children often can’t access school.

@NotDonna
And you illustrate my point by presuming I have no personal knowledge of this. there’s loads of us parents getting into debt and spending hours helping our children. Only certain children get help in the school system, look at any sen parents or mental health group. Hence why I asked the definition of ‘deprived’. We should aim for all children to meet their potential.

[quote BungleandGeorge]@NotDonna what is your definition of disadvantaged?[/quote]
Why what’s your definition?
My starting point would be the families termed by cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/measuring-poverty but that’s a very low starting point.
Those kids on fsm and identified as pupil premium children (apologies for terminology).

@noblegiraffe mmm maybe it is wrap around care but it doesn’t have to be ‘just’. It could be a basis for implementing more? More being the types of ideas being discussed but include another meal too. I’m wondering if your concern with this is that it’d also help all children & families and not just the disadvantaged. I understand that. I suppose I’m thinking that if it’s open to everyone there’ll be more take up, less stigma etc. Sometimes targeted intervention backfires. There needs to be both, I know.
Who is asking the families / kids what they need? Ok some kids will take the piss but some will be serious and know.

@BungleandGeorge you were making a point? You’re right I missed it. What was it? That you don’t think schools should do anything and parents should take responsibility for taking them to clubs? Getting yourself into debt by taking your kids to clubs?
Okay.

I’m wondering if your concern with this is that it’d also help all children & families and not just the disadvantaged.

No, not at all. I think that all children need help in coming to terms with the last year, all children need rehabilitation into physical fitness and all children need their academic timetable and curriculum reconsidered to take into account the massive (and ongoing) upheaval of this last year.

I don't think an after-school homework club (which many schools already offer for free, in secondary at least) would be particularly effective in addressing the additional needs the pandemic has raised.

@NotDonna
My post about debt was clearly not about ‘clubs’. You don’t know about anyone’s situation so why be so judgemental. Educational inequality is not just about money. Help should be based on need and not only given to those who meet some arbitrary measure

"Would it have to be tied to a school though? What about if there were vouchers for disadvantaged children to do an activity with a private provider?"

Good idea to have private providers to help plug the gap. Could have sports schemes to help with mental health and private small group tuition for maths/english to help the children that are not at expected levels. Schools just teach as normally then.

@noblegiraffe ok. I think I’m possibly coming from a different angle. Possibly closer to the OPs, I don’t know. I don’t like the doom and gloom that ALL children are screwed. But I think some have been. Undoubtedly. But not by the pandemic.
My focus is not so much what the pandemic has caused but what it has highlighted. The gaps were already there. Funding was already dire. So my posts have largely focussed on rectifying the historical issues we have. I’m concerned that we can easily be side tracked into sticky plasters rather than root causes. I’m very much guilty of this too. I definitely get conned by govts with their exciting schemes that end up being shelved. That’s why I’ve given bungle a bit of a hard time. I find it frustrating that some people can’t see that whilst ALL children are having a hard time there’s still ones that are much much worse off. It’s these we need to help. If that then helps ALL kids then great. What I fear is the topsy turvy of that. Proposals that will help ALL kids and if that happens to include the least well off, disadvantaged, vulnerable etc then good. But it’s not good, the gaps will still be enormous, maybe even more so. I know from experience how difficult it is to employ targeted interventions but that’s what I think needs to happen. A good mix of targeted and universal approaches and interventions.

And I find it frustrating that some people can’t accept that there are children who aren’t meeting their potential and don’t meet an arbitrary measure of ‘deprivation’. Help should be based on need, whether that need is SEN, bereavement, mental health problems, abuse in the home, bullying etc

Schools capture all children (or the huge majority) and can access them like no other service. Whilst it absolutely shouldn’t be a ‘teachers’ responsibility to be MH expert or provide the needed service, school itself can be hub for other services to access those kids. That’s what needs to happen. Tons of funding for services to be in the schools. I know nothing of forest schools, but definitely more funding for b’fast clubs, fsm, reading, literacy, sports, in school counsellors, safeguarding specialists, school nurses, education psychologists, SEN provision, safe spaces. Some schools have one or two of these but nowhere has everything. Every school should have what services they most need and a large budget to ensure continuation
Or local schools could have hub provision for some of those services, perhaps in a similar way that some schools offer enhanced mainstream provision. It would be good if there was, for example, an EdPsyc and SEN team who could work across a secondary school and all their main feeder primaries.