Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
Iamnotthe1 · 16/06/2021 17:33

Given the latest guidance sent directly to school leaders, transition events may be changing. Whilst they are allowed, the host school must find a way to keep existing bubbles intact and away from their own current students. I'd keep an eye out for any communications as some of the schools people have referenced on here as going full steam ahead as normal will now be in breach of the new DfE advice. They might choose still to do it but they leave themselves vulnerable if they do.

motherrunner · 16/06/2021 17:33

Well Yr 7 are almost Year 8 now. Ours did exams last week and they are where we would expect them to be academically so I think they’ve cooed just fine without seeing us for a day last July!

motherrunner · 16/06/2021 17:33

*coped

MsAwesomeDragon · 16/06/2021 17:37

We've just had official confirmation that our transition days for year 6 will be moved to virtual. We'll do the same activities, but beamed via Teams to their primary school. We physically can't do it with the current restrictions as there are too many feeder schools and we can't keep the bubbles separate. I believe we've invited each of the primary schools to come with their teacher for a tour of the school but it has to be after school, so the primary children don't meet the secondary children.

It's the right decision for our circumstances, as we have several groups of pupils isolating at the moment.

skinschool · 16/06/2021 17:50

@DrMadelineMaxwell what council is yours please?

CeCePlus · 16/06/2021 17:56

@Robostripes

I’m gutted - my DS is in reception and I haven’t been allowed to see inside his school building or classroom the entire year. His school were planning sports day and class assemblies for parents but the latter are off and the sports day will go ahead but without parents. Missed out on first Christmas concerts/nativities too.

😢

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 16/06/2021 18:06

Many y6 last year had an awful time transitioning to secondary because of the lack of transition event.

One day of transition barely makes a difference to be honest. 20 years ago no one did transition and it was fine. The kids have found this year difficult because they spent a lot of time under lockdown from March - Sept. Social expectations and routines were lost.

Mumof3girlsandaboy · 16/06/2021 18:08

My son is going to junior school and we have been told that no transition day but instead their new teachers will come and spend the day in the classrooms and chat with the children. I’m just lucky enough I know the school and for my other children all the sports day will go ahead but parents are not allowed to watch and school leavers assembly will be recorded.

Iamnotthe1 · 16/06/2021 18:15

Many y6 last year had an awful time transitioning to secondary because of the lack of transition event.

Our main secondary has said that the current Y7 has been their best transition ever as a result of the coronavirus measures they've had to take (not setting, Y7 only on one building, not mixing with other years, etc.). This year had had their lowest incidence rates in bad behaviour, bullying, anxiety, etc.

chocolateisavegetable · 16/06/2021 18:19

I work in a Junior school. Sports day going ahead but without parents. We had an email today cancelling one event and saying that transition and other events are being looked at.

Faffinator · 16/06/2021 18:41

Piping up to say that transition day is not a new or unnecessary thing. I had transition day more than 30 years ago. It was standard then, at least where I live. And I still remember it.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 16/06/2021 18:47

[quote skinschool]@DrMadelineMaxwell what council is yours please?[/quote]
Flintshire

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 16/06/2021 18:48

I don't think any one has said it's unnecessary. In an ideal world it would happen. However right now the world isn't ideal. Why would you mix hundreds of students from different schools? Far better to have Y7 in school for one day by themselves at the start of term in September.

Petitefiloute · 16/06/2021 19:26

It's totally ridiculous to say "I didn't get one and i was ok" as if you resent children for getting something you didn't get 25 years ago Hmm And of course the kids who struggled in September didn't struggle just because they didn't get a transition, but it was part of it. Everybody is the pub, watching the football, socialising indoor, their dc are at football practice, language schools, music lessons, rugby, dance, gymnastics... school is the only place there is no mixing.

motherrunner · 16/06/2021 19:29

@Petitefiloute

It's totally ridiculous to say "I didn't get one and i was ok" as if you resent children for getting something you didn't get 25 years ago Hmm And of course the kids who struggled in September didn't struggle just because they didn't get a transition, but it was part of it. Everybody is the pub, watching the football, socialising indoor, their dc are at football practice, language schools, music lessons, rugby, dance, gymnastics... school is the only place there is no mixing.
Don’t think posters are saying this as they “resent”children. More to prove the point that no-one’s education was destroyed by missing one day at their new school.
Petitefiloute · 16/06/2021 19:32

@Iamnotthe1 well that's great for the current year 7 however the current y6 won't have that next year, I don't expect there will be such measures in place. They also have only seen the school on a virtual open day, whilst the current year 7 had tours prior to the lockdown. Summer school will be the only opportunity, for those lucky enough to get a place.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 16/06/2021 19:33

school is the only place there is no mixing

I wouldn’t call approx 30 children, no masks or much SD, as not mixing.

skinschool · 16/06/2021 19:38

@DrMadelineMaxwell Thank you, I was hoping it wasn't Bucks as we've not heard they've been cancelled yet.

Namechercanged · 16/06/2021 19:40

Ours didn't get tours pre lockdown. Not sure where that happens.

I don't resent students, what a bonkers notion! One day of transition isn't going to lead to failing secondary school, it's just one day. If you're really worried about a particularly vulnerable student, speak to the school. They will probably offer you a 1:1 tour.

CallmeHendricks · 16/06/2021 19:49

"Resent" children for getting something we didn't years ago?! How old are you, fgs? Why on earth would you think that?
My point was, that whilst it's a nice thing to do, and is preferable, it's not going to kill the kids or scar them for life not to do it.

catsjammies · 16/06/2021 20:42

Ds going into reception in Sept and the school have just cancelled her stay and play afternoon and our meet and greet with her teacher.

Iamnotthe1 · 16/06/2021 20:56

[quote Petitefiloute]@Iamnotthe1 well that's great for the current year 7 however the current y6 won't have that next year, I don't expect there will be such measures in place. They also have only seen the school on a virtual open day, whilst the current year 7 had tours prior to the lockdown. Summer school will be the only opportunity, for those lucky enough to get a place.[/quote]
Actually, there are many schools that are working to keep some of the positive things that have taken place this year. And, I have to say, whilst I'm desperately hoping that next year is run entirely as normal with no coronavirus restrictions, it's not a given.

What specifically do you feel the damage of no physical transition would be?

Passthesauce · 16/06/2021 22:45

@skinschool I'm in Bucks and am not very optimistic that transition days will be going ahead. Think it is was already looking dubious before Monday's announcement.

Christmasfairy2020 · 16/06/2021 23:09

Ours is fine.
3 day transition soon and a week in August.
Leavers event planned for a Friday to gullivers for overnight free of charge and a day at an activity centre next week. They need to lft before the residential

Mummylovesyouxox · 17/06/2021 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.