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Original poster

What does this mean for schools?

201 replies

Shakepineapple · 14/06/2021 18:46

Trying to get my head around what the delay to reopening means for the activities that usually go ahead at the end of the summer term.
Will parents be able to attend sports days? End of term productions? Will transition days go ahead?

OP posts:
TheDukeissoHot1 · 15/06/2021 06:41

Those who are saying transition day is cancelled as of last night - are you teachers or parents?

If parents, have your schools been in touch with you since the announcement or had they told you beforehand it wouldn’t happen if lockdown easing was delayed. My kids school is generally very slow with communication & I’m amazed how fast some other schools let you know what will happen!

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 15/06/2021 06:43

lazy

Do you have any idea what schools have done this year? Grading year 11 was a big enough task, with no extra pay, time and whilst doing the rest of our job.

Logistically having groups of 30 in the hall doesn't work. They wouldn't see the school aside from the hall. It would also take up hours of teacher time. We have no spare time, transition is done over 2 days and usually when y10 are on work experience (not happening this year). We physically can't staff more than 2 days of transition and even that would be a push this year.

If you think your child is vulnerable and needs the extra support, ask for a 1:1 tour.

MrsHamlet · 15/06/2021 06:44

[quote BunsyGirl]@MrsHamlet when did you decide to cancel?[/quote]
I didn't.

Iamnotthe1 · 15/06/2021 06:47

@TheDukeissoHot1

Those who are saying transition day is cancelled as of last night - are you teachers or parents?

If parents, have your schools been in touch with you since the announcement or had they told you beforehand it wouldn’t happen if lockdown easing was delayed. My kids school is generally very slow with communication & I’m amazed how fast some other schools let you know what will happen!

Our main secondary cancelled the primary to secondary transition last week. The guidance they received from the DfE said that, if they do transition, they need to:
  • keep all primary children away from all secondary children at all times,
  • keep all primary school groups away from all other primary school groups.

That means that, even if they went ahead, children wouldn't be able to meet their new forms, new teachers, have a tour of the school, experience the busy nature of the hallways and canteens, etc.

Ultimately, it was pointless to try to carry on: the day would serve no purpose.

ColourHex · 15/06/2021 06:51

My ds had a transition meeting last week. The secondary are doing one primary school at a time and after the school has closed. So basically meet a few teachers and have a tour of the grounds. Not the same as a full day but better than nothing. They have another planned in a few weeks

Iamnotthe1 · 15/06/2021 06:58

Colour
That's what we are going to do: take our current class up after hours for a guided tour of the grounds. They aren't allowed inside the buildings.

For those worried about transition though, it's worth remembering that it's a relatively new thing. 15 years ago, it was very rare for children to go up to their secondaries ahead of starting in September. They might have seen the place once during the autumn term of the previous year. They managed well enough then and will manage well enough now. Secondaries may also make adjustments to September too. Our main one is going to run guided tours for each form on the first day, for example.

MsAwesomeDragon · 15/06/2021 07:04

We've got a 3 day transition planned for y6-7, but I don't think it will go ahead. It was planned based on things being more relaxed after 21st June and I don't think our plans meet the current guidance. Not when we've got so many different feeder primaries.

Dd2 is in year 6 and selfishly I'd like her transition day to go ahead, but I'm aware it will probably be moved online and accept that. We might have to ask for a 1-1 tour though, to ease some of her massive anxieties about it.

blahblahblah321 · 15/06/2021 07:25

@catmandont

No transition days, no prom - cancelled tonight.

A whole summer of sporting events (regional level junior sport not spectator events) that have been the only focus for the kids for 18 months of missed opportunities, cancelled tonight. Devastated for the kids.

We have worked so hard to keep them engaged with it all and for national competitions to potentially be off for a 2nd year in a row is going to be the final straw for some. Teenagers are hard to keep in sport, so many will not bother coming back.

@catmandont , why has the sporting stuff been cancelled? Has that not been allowed recently? I don't have a clue, only know about youth rugby and we were back travelling to other clubs with a couple of usual bits missing
shouldistop · 15/06/2021 07:40

In Scotland parents haven't been allowed to attend sports days, nursery graduations etc - even outdoors.
Ds1 is starting school in august and will get 1 30 minute visit to the playground that I'm not allowed to attend. Have to drop him at the gate, he's 4 and has never met the adults I'll be leaving him with Hmm Good job he's a confident wee thing.

3asAbird · 15/06/2021 07:46

I guess our transition day maybe cancelled its city centre school so doesn't feed from 1 big primary it fees possibly from 100 different primaries from every corner of the city.
But my 11 year old so anxious she needs it.

Theres 1 day activity day we missing as we on holiday instead residential.

Year 10 arranged no work experience for her.
Shes also given up on idea doing doe bronze.
Her year usually go theme park last week term activities week I assume that's jot happening.
No trips have happened this year.

funtimefrank · 15/06/2021 07:47

I am impressed that schools have already communicated some of this stuff. Nothing from school or council.

I have 2 yr 6 kids. There are 3 main secondaries kids go to around here and 2 have had their transition days already. Mine have not - we have had a date but that was it and I am guessing that will be cancelled in person at least.

The other thing is the residential. It was cancelled for yr 5 last year and they are beyond excited for this year. Literally counting down the days. It didn't occur to me yesterday that it may be cancelled but they will be mixing bubbles (they have a class and a half per year).

We'll know today I suspect but I am praying that they find a way to make it happen as it's all that's keeping m 2 going......

BunsyGirl · 15/06/2021 08:03

@funtimefrank My year 6 has already had his residential, as have a number of other schools in the area.

BunsyGirl · 15/06/2021 08:05

@MrsHamlet When did your school cancel it then? Or did they decide not to arrange a transition day?

Petitefiloute · 15/06/2021 08:06

@funtimefrank bubbles can be year groups so fingers crossed for you. Children in local schools have been going to residentials in the past months so I can't see why it can't happen now.
I really can't see why schools aren't moving events to the last week of term, when restrictions will be lifted.

Pinkandpink · 15/06/2021 08:12

We have sports day but no parents, primary 7s will be visiting the high school in groups. They will also have a leavers fun night, disco. Other stuff will be online. We are Scotland

catmandont · 15/06/2021 08:25

@blahblahblah321
"why has the sporting stuff been cancelled? Has that not been allowed recently?
I don't have a clue, only know about youth rugby and we were back travelling to other clubs with a couple of usual bits missing"

It's netball. Individual games have been allowed with rule changes, but no spectators, even outside (unlike rugby & football) but tournaments not allowed.

Our region only offering tournament rather than league, then the regular summer tournaments. So they've been training, knowing their opponents in other regions are getting regular matches, and now it looks like the summer is off. ☹️

blahblahblah321 · 15/06/2021 08:26

[quote catmandont]@blahblahblah321
"why has the sporting stuff been cancelled? Has that not been allowed recently?
I don't have a clue, only know about youth rugby and we were back travelling to other clubs with a couple of usual bits missing"

It's netball. Individual games have been allowed with rule changes, but no spectators, even outside (unlike rugby & football) but tournaments not allowed.

Our region only offering tournament rather than league, then the regular summer tournaments. So they've been training, knowing their opponents in other regions are getting regular matches, and now it looks like the summer is off. ☹️[/quote]
Oh that's pants Sad

Passthesauce · 15/06/2021 10:35

@funtimefrank Residentials have been permitted since May, as have school trips.
Think they'll be fine in a bubble from school, it seems to be more having parents in that's the issue.

My DD in Y6 is scheduled to leave on 21 Jun so I have everything crossed that goes ahead as planned. The only thing I can see being an issue is if there's a covid case in their year, which would be typical as they haven't had any at all in school to date.

Fairly sure the LA is about to pull the plug on transition days, though. They have been fairly cagey and not confirmed details to date but I can't see it going ahead. For those who are concerned about children starting reception, my youngest started in September and they handled transition brilliantly - staggered the children in and, although it was a bit of a pain in that they didn't do full days straightaway, they settled really well.

Still hardly know any of the other reception parents, though!

Passthesauce · 15/06/2021 10:36

Leave for her residential - not leave completely (that's 21 Jul and I have even
More fingers crossed.....)

LeafBeetle · 15/06/2021 11:13

Most primary schools around here have gone ahead with the Y6 residential (but some have cancelled).

D of E bronze has gone ahead - my DS did his.

MarshaBradyo · 15/06/2021 11:15

@LeafBeetle

Most primary schools around here have gone ahead with the Y6 residential (but some have cancelled).

D of E bronze has gone ahead - my DS did his.

We had PGL tg

Really appreciated in a sea of cancellations

randomlyLostInWales · 15/06/2021 11:35

We were please the college been in touch and it's having small groups in to show round and talk about transition to A-level work.

Y11 at DD1 school got an leaving zoom assembly with them all in their classrooms and to leave slightly early.

Last year DD2 was Y6 - they did an asssmbly with no parents - there weren't any transition days but the transition to secondary went smoothly for that year group.

It appears from the e-mails DD1 started getting the college is dong trips aboard - but their secondary isn't and TBH I'm worried they won't re-start them at all - bar the cousre work ones that will have to do.

KipperTheFrog · 15/06/2021 11:39

DD’s school had already said no parents at sports day.
The transition for new reception children is happening - all kids for each class going in to meet their teacher.
Just waiting to hear if holiday club is going to be open over summer holiday. It’s not been running all year so far.

thelittlestrhino · 15/06/2021 11:39

Sports day in bubbles - no parents.

Leavers assembly - in playground and filmed for parents.

School trip in bubbles - all outdoor/ranger led activities.

Transition day Friday - whole day, classrooms extra cleaned and 'bombed' on Thursday. Transitions to high schools managed according to need; enhanced transitions have had 2 or 3 extra opportunities to visit. Lots of transition activities done via Teams with our cluster schools.

BunsyGirl · 15/06/2021 13:18

Just heard that my DS’ transition day is going ahead, the only major change being that parents are not allowed on the site. So happy!