Summer school for secondary school

[Liveandletlive3]

Just read this and it seems to be mainly aimed at children transitioning from year 6 to 7. Is this looking to be compulsory or down to personal choice?

My son will be moving to secondary school in Sept. I just mentioned it to him in passing and he doesn't seem too pleased about it, he's been working hard all through lockdown and has been doing 95% of his work . I feel as though kids need a break too, enjoy the summer and get out and about and have fun.

I haven't seen it, but it sounds the sort of bollocks the govt waffled about last year with catch up plans and all that nonsense.

They won't put any funding in, and nothing will happen. It certainly won't be compulsory. Who would teach it? Teachers are not paid in the summer holidays, and the govt will not be prepared to pay other people to do this.

My first thought was..... and now lets see you sell this to the kids, who have been having a lousy childhood and working throughout and will need and want their holiday. And the families with holidays already booked. And who's going to be doing the teaching of all this?

More to the point to fund tutoring and staff for small groups intensive work as needed in the new school year.

I have a DC in year 6 and another in year 10. I haven't heard the details yet, but just going from your post, is this really true? I simply don't understand why my year 6 child needs it more than my teen sitting exams next year??

No. .....think teachers and kids need a break.

My son is also moving from year 6 to year 7 this year. Last year the secondary school he is moving to put on some summer school events for the new intake but it was voluntary and more like the kind of orientation activities they missed out on. So given a map of the building and having to find certain class rooms. Playing dodge ball in the sports hall etc. If its like that then I would send my DS as they will likely miss out on transition week again this year.

I don't see how it can possibly be compulsory without a change of law. The guidance says that schools will be asked to target it at 'those children who need it most'. That said, if it's done by the secondaries for the Year 6 children, I can see a possible benefit for children more generally in the sense of a bonding/transition thing?

The headlines are misleading as normal. The government are giving school some extra money (probably not enough). Summer schools are a suggestion of how to use this money. That is all. Schools have been given free choice how they use it. Which is good because every school is individual and has different issues.

Have they said how it will be staffed?

Who is actually going to be doing the teaching? I won't be sending my kids in, and my husband will not want to be teaching over summer.

I'm a teacher and a parent and can't see how this will work? As a parent, my children won't be attending as they haven't fallen behind and have no gaps to fill, plus at the end of the summer term they're knackered. The last year has been so crap that they can't wait to do 'normal' things.

As a teacher, the kids (most) will be knackered and not want to engage, most will be there under duress from parents. I appreciate I am well paid, have generous holidays and I love my job, but how are the Government intending to change contracts and terms?!! If it would be down to tutors/staff bought in... How will they know what gaps need filling?
I feel for the parents of KS4 as the unknown is ridiculously stressful for all concerned but I am confident with adapting the curriculum and hard work I can catch up year 10 far better in the time we'll have once they're rested, rather than a sports coach or tutor at the end of a long term.

My DD moves up to Year 7 in September. I'm disappointed if this is the extent of the summer catch up plans as I was hoping for summer term dates to be adjusted permanently, for primary as well (have two DC younger). Also support extending the school day or even everyone repeating the year.

However we'd take up this summer school offer if available to her. Not sure how valuable it would be in terms of catch up but could help her settle in to her new school.

There were summer schools a few years ago, for pupils that hadn't met National Standard...but the govt stopped funding them properly, so they mostly stopped.

There’s been no official guidance yet. I suspect it’s just a headline that’ll go away soon. I teach secondary and we certainly have no plans to make them come back; they’ve worked exceptionally hard in both lockdowns (but particularly this one) so there’s no need for the majority. And the majority of haven’t engaged need nurture, warmth and support, not enforced extra lessons!!

I won’t be sending my kids in as still primary. I’m a teacher and happy to do a few days at my normal salary (or more). I won’t do it for minimum wage.

Ds is moving to high school. No chance of summer school. He's been listening to my gcse and a level lessons, so good only knows what he's picked up.

Yr 7 is often repeating skills anyway, as kids come from various primary schools and need to adapt to the brave new world of secondary. I'm more worried about ds surviving the older kids at his high school than any academic catch up.

I would also not want ds kept after school forever. Learning new stuff is hard on the brain. I can work a lot longer than I can concentrate on learning. Adult courses don't tend to go on for hours and hours. And they always knock off early if you forego the afternoon biscuits.

It's on the government website along with a lot of other funding schemes and possible provisions through the school tiers.

I think some fun activity filled orientation type sessions would be good. Can't see academic sessions being very successful.

No, mine won’t be going if more years are invited. They have done the work so aren’t behind and deserve a break. I don’t want their teachers to have to give up their holidays either.

Parents and a teacher here. I’m off on holiday on the 24th July. My children and I will be ‘catching up’ on sun, fun and adventures 😊

I'm a parent and a teacher. I doubt it's worth my while now after I factor in childcare but it might be something I'd have been interested in doing before my kids.

I don't think this will be enthusiastically received by either children or teachers, who both need a break.

Although it maybe that not many of us will be heading overseas (who knows).

My hunch is that there are initiatives that might work, alongside existing lessons, but this would need to fit well with regular term-time provision, would need to be very carefully thought through & targetted and might need more of a long term organisation and funding commitment.

I know in the past secondary schools have offered 'summer schools' for their incoming year 7s. My DH was involved pre ds1. My DH was grateful for the money and the kids had a fab time - it was mainly DT and ICT.

As an optional extra for kids and teachers it was a lovely idea.

Many of the special schools I have worked at have always run summer play schemes. Respite for the parents and welcome money for some TAs

The key thing is that they are optional (for both kids and staff) and about social and emotional support- fun!!

I doubt this will happen but y6 to y7 seems very odd to target it at. I would have thought its most needed by those in y10 to 12. Think it should be optional though and open to all if it does happen.

Heard a radio programme about this today. It won’t be with their teachers as they will be on holiday but would be run by charities and volunteer organisations.