Year 11s shouldn’t have finished school early

[solarlights]

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/03/schools-should-not-send-exam-year-pupils-home-early-says-ofsted-head

My DD went on exam leave on April 31st only attending school for the exams that were supposedly cancelled —but not—
They finished completely on 24th May despite missing months and months of school over their GCSE course, so what’s all this about? Our year 11s have been totally let down.

This sounds like something a parent would come up with as an idea to get their child out of the house, not something a Y11 would actually turn up to.

Lazy argument again. Yes there are kids that won't turn up to anything now. But I see this from 2 other viewpoints. One, my DD and her friends. High achievers. Not depressed. But motivated for new experiences. They absolutely would attend anything offered by school - like A Level bridging, team building, anything. I am not saying teachers should offer it but I am saying some kids would welcome it. I can't even be bothered to respond to yet more suggestions of baking cakes and doing the garden as an alternative.

My other perspective comes from the 16 - 19s I work with in college. Many are from the most deprived wards in the city. Some have lost their way completely and wouldn't come in if you paid them. But others would come in for the opening of an envelope, because they've got nothing else.

I do think that parents can be concerned at how year 11 has ended, and how this isn't good for SOME kids, without this representing a personal attack on year 11 teachers.

@ChloeDecker local primaries here that we have approached for work experience are not taking anyone (due to covid). But thank you for the other links which we will check out.

but I suppose I’m struggling with the concept of how little time she’s had at school.

That’s completely understandable and all the more shocking why OFSTED have only just mentioned this now when most schools have already said goodbye to their pupils as per the information they had at the time.

However, to say that they have been completely let down does negate some of the huge effort and work many members of schools staff have out in to them, even if it has not always been completely obvious. I mean, even the schools that didn’t provide enough live lessons have still had to put in all the extra work and admin for their year 11s for no extra overtime pay or even recognition by some.

@Piggywaspushed

Oh OK hoping thanks. Perhaps they are doing their induction for sixth form. We couldn't possibly accommodate ours because all the year groups roll up.

No, there’s no 6th form at the school. It’s a Private school so maybe they are making sure nobody asks for a refund! DD isn’t happy about it as all her friends from other schools finished a week or more ago

All valid points foosterin but you have not at any point acknowledged the additional huge workload of TAGs and when you think all the moderation and submission etc of that should be done with year 11s on site or the date,set by Ofqual, of 19 June for submission.

hopping I think you hit the nail on the head there re the refunds...

I would just like to pipe up that is it true that in some more isolated/rural/semi rural areas there are no jobs and no WEX, unless you have transport.

But that does not mean I think year 11s should come back just because Amanda says so.

I am not saying teachers should offer it but I am saying some kids would welcome it.

Whereas on this thread for others it certainly seems to be the implication that some kids would welcome it therefore teachers should offer it.

@piggywaspushed actually yes I have acknowledged this if you read my previous posts. I've also stated that I wouldn't expect the teachers to do any more. Kids at DC's school were very grateful for all the support they had and brought cards and gifts for all the teachers.

But I maintain that Ofsted have a point, even if their timing is unhelpful.

Ofsted are ridiculous for the timing of this and I imagine most heads around the country are shaking their heads in disbelief.

The curriculum is finished. Let the year 11's have a break after a year of total uncertainty about whether their exams were on or off.

They wouldn't be returning to school for teaching after half term anyway, they would only be going in for exams which have been cancelled by the Government.

There is no joined up thinking in this country.

I agree that Ofsted are out of order releasing pointless statements such as this one and at this point in time. It's pure shit stirring and a distraction from the incompetence of their own office and the dfe.

By the way I did mean totally let down by the DfE not school or teachers. I am in absolute disbelief at how badly they’ve handled this.

@mrshoho

I agree that Ofsted are out of order releasing pointless statements such as this one and at this point in time. It's pure shit stirring and a distraction from the incompetence of their own office and the dfe.

Timed to coincide with Sir Kevan Collins' resignation you think?

@mrshoho

I agree that Ofsted are out of order releasing pointless statements such as this one and at this point in time. It's pure shit stirring and a distraction from the incompetence of their own office and the dfe.

Absolutely this.

It's always a "look over here" article where this incompetent government are concerned.

What worries me is we're never going to get "we've fucked up. We are going to improve by ....."

Even their own Tsar had to resign because they talked the talk and then when the time came refused to deliver.

Some more ideas/information for current Year 11s and their parents/carers to explore:

A good starting place:
www.studentladder.co.uk/work-experience/

Also a good site to research and some of these internships would not be available to Year 11 students if they were still attending school:

www.e4s.co.uk/docs/internships.htm

This is useful if you live on Scotland:

www.myworldofwork.co.uk

And for those living in Northern Ireland:

www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers

A very useful website, even if it is just to help those Year 11s do some research in their summer holiday and get their drive back:

successatschool.org/careerzones

And lastly, for those in areas where travel to jobs and work experience is not easy, here is some information of virtual work experience that would not have been possible to year 11s in previous years and is an ideal opportunity for this year’s year 11s:

www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/post/virtual-work-experience

@solarlights

By the way I did mean totally let down by the DfE not school or teachers. I am in absolute disbelief at how badly they’ve handled this.

Thank you for clarifying OP.

I always assume people live in bigger more affluent areas than me so the fact my children and all there friends have managed to get jobs has been skewed by that. So I will admit to being a dick about that. Also they probably don't need the long break in the same way previous years have. But ofsted are being entirely more dickish about their position.

My yr11 son has had to join Google classrooms for the subjects he wishes to take in 6th form. There will be weekly tasks set for them there so although he's at home he will still have a lot of work to do

I've also stated that I wouldn't expect the teachers to do any more.

How would that work then?!

I see why you're frustrated but this announcement is shit stirry and you know it.

It's truly ridiculous they are saying it now when they have had ages to be part of a solution and give schools actual guidance on what they want. Schools have had nothing, there has been no forethought or planning just reactions by this government. What have ofsted been actually doing this year I wonder? Not that we want to see more of them of course but just curious if anyone knows.

My Yr11 DS has been despondent because he's tried to get a job and can't and has slipped into that routine of bed in the early hours and afternoon waking with gaming since finishing school on 21st May. His mates have girlfriends and he doesn't yet, so has not had his usual crew to hang out with.
We have a community shop in our village and I encouraged him to go and see the lady in charge. He's just got back from an hour's trial and been accepted for volunteer shifts for the summer. Although at 16, he's all trying to be cool about life and all that, I'm so excited for him to learn new skills and get a bit of routine back. He won't admit it, but he's happy about it too! He told me he's already learned the till!
It would have been nice to earn some money, but he'll get a reference, new skills and a confidence boost which will hopefully help him for the future.
We're suddenly more optimistic that this summer will be a good one now- I must admit I was worrying that 3 months+ of him doing nothing would drive us all nuts!

Your son rocks Eaumyword! So pleased for you and him and well done for your encouragement.

Thank you so much! I'm ridiculously excited for him, woohoo!
He seems unfazed by being managed by old lady volunteers, who are looking forward to being in charge of him and getting him to sort the heavy shop deliveries, lol!!