Schools - why are they doing this?

[Scrooge89]

Why are the media preparing us for school closures? They simply can’t do this to us…

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-59673271

Not to my children. My youngest struggled so much at home and was one of the 25% who couldn’t go to school (although I saw how much some people fudged the key worker card I may have to do it).

@MammaMacgill87

As an update I've just received an email from two of the schools confirming a staggered return and possible home lesson sessions starting again when they return

Where abouts in the country?

@MammaMacgill87
Where in the U.K. you are?

Quick @MammaMacgill87, Us4Them need to get their emails sent off to their friends at the DfE asap, they need to know where to complain about 🙄

secondary schools are doing staggered returns due to testing. I am not sure I believe there are schools telling parents they might be doing home learning. More info on where please.

@MrsHamlet

*the phonics screening is to help schools identify which children need additional support with phonics.

That's a good thing, surely?*

I'm pretty sure teachers already know which of their children need additional support.

Yep!

One more time-sucking, box-ticking exercise learning time must be wasted on.

Sorry guys just seen the replies, I'm in Scotland and that was emails from both primary and secondary school, no word from the nursery so far

More info on where? In my email inbox from a primary and secondary school in Scotland is where, why would I need to care if you believe it or not, I'm sharing relevant information as it's been passed on to me in line with the context of the thread?

Very well said appu

The phonics screening isn't exactly 'time sapping' - it's 5 minutes with each child.

Having seen a number of 'good readers' in Year 2 fall to bits in KS2 pre-phonic screening as they had learnt to memorise words rather than decode them, and all the emotional and behavioural fall out from that, phonics screening seems about the only statutory screening that has any purpose.

Given the disruption to schools and teaching with sickness even more so. Some Y2 classes around here have had a constant stream of supply/cover teachers due to staff sickness.

I completely agree Apuskiduski. The curriculum wasn't fit for purpose before the pandemic and is now even more so. Expectations were too high and too rigid before the pandemic, ditto.

I'm not sure what you mean by this @Twitterwhooooo

Having seen a number of 'good readers' in Year 2 fall to bits in KS2 pre-phonic screening as they had learnt to memorise words rather than decode them, and all the emotional and behavioural fall out from that,

It's 5 minutes with good readers and much longer with others. But that's beside the point. It's still a waste of time.

Children whose reading was 'good' by the end of KS1 because they had memorised words, rather than learnt to decode.

Memory for new works tends to run out in Y3 or Y4 and the child doesn't have strategies to use to read unfamiliar words.

It being identified in Y1 that they aren't actually using phonics to read isn't a waste of time for these children.

@Twitterwhooooo

Children whose reading was 'good' by the end of KS1 because they had memorised words, rather than learnt to decode.

Memory for new works tends to run out in Y3 or Y4 and the child doesn't have strategies to use to read unfamiliar words.

It being identified in Y1 that they aren't actually using phonics to read isn't a waste of time for these children.

I understand all of these things and would identify children who are struggling with decoding in my lessons and assessments.

I don't need to do the screening to help me.

Wondering how people managed to learn to read before phonics...

@TheHoneyBadger

Wondering how people managed to learn to read before phonics...

Shhhhh, we can’t talk about it! We have always been at war with Eastasia.

@TheHoneyBadger

Wondering how people managed to learn to read before phonics...

Seeing as phonics is the traditional method that has been around for centuries, I doubt anyone knows

The experimental methods of the sixties have been repeatedly shown to have less good results. Phonics produces more competent readers, more quickly, than any other method or combinations of methods.

Phonics is evidence based. Children without any particular barriers will probably pick up reading by any method but those with Sen need evidence based approach. My child has significant dyslexia and passed the phonics screening at school. Bright children find all sorts of ways to get round their problems. The school actively want them to pass. Is it a good assessment in all cases? I’m not so sure, I can’t actually see how they passed. I can assure you that even at 6 years old they know they struggle, there’s no hiding it and they’re incredibly aware that they are ‘failing’ to meet expectations. They may not show it at school but my goodness the anger, frustration and misery vents itself at home. We need to stop setting kids up to ‘fail’ it’s so damaging to their mental health

No, it's not a perfect screening tool, but none are.

But it does play a role in identifying children who haven't learnt to decode, which is the foundation of fluent, independent reading for most children.

Yes, the language of pass/fail is dreadful for children (probably for everyone) and is one of the horrors of the current UK education system.

One of my kids has got to year 5 without being identified as dyslexic as passed everything and sitting pretty in middle of the class. She must have been busting a gut to do that. I hate phonics.

That's not the fault of phonics!