Reluctant to send daughter to summer "catch up" school.

[Definitelymaybeee]

I know there have been a few threads about this already but now the plans are becoming reality, how is everyone feeling about sending their children to school in the summer holidays?

My daughter is starting secondary school in September and we have just been told that all new Year 7s can attend summer school for two weeks in the middle of August. It is being sold to us as a great way to help them catch up with their Maths and English, start to build friendships and have a "jump start" to Year 7.

So, my question is what happens to the kids who can't attend? We have already booked a holiday for August. Should I cancel or risk her being disadvantaged? I am particularly worried because she has no friends moving up with her and I hate to think of her feeling even more alone in September when other children attended have started to form friendship groups.

Am I the only one who thinks that the kids and teachers deserve a proper summer break so they can start the new school year refreshed? I just don't know what to do.

I’d love to have it as an option but have heard precisely zero.

The secondary dc1 will be going up to in September is running one in the first full week of the holidays. She's really keen on the idea as it will be mainly team building with her new tutor group & getting to know the site with 2 quick 15 min sessions of maths & English each day, as well as a trip at the end. It's not compulsory so if she didn't like the idea I wouldn't be pushing it but she can't wait. I'm hoping knowing her way round will help her feel a bit less 'new' in September.

The bit about her not knowing anyone else aside, I’d ask a few questions (of yourself and the school).
What will they be covering?
What happens to those who cannot attend?
How long per day?
Who is doing the teaching?
Did your DD’s school offer lessons (recorded or live or Oak Academy) during lockdown?
Did your DD do the work set during lockdown?
Did the work set cover all areas of maths and English (or just sums/ reading)?

I teach yr6, some of my class really need any catch up offered, some need the break. I’m pretty certain that the lists I’d come up with, aren’t the lists that will actually happen.

FWIW, if DS weren’t in yr11 I wouldn’t be sending him in- he attended all lessons and completed all the work on time and to the required standard during both school closures. He needs a summer away from a textbook.

Thanks, that's a really useful list @QueenofLouisiana and your insight definitely strikes a chord with me. I like the idea of them having time to settle in but anything offered right in the middle of the holidays will only leave those who could attend at an advantage and the rest having missed out. Hardly a fair start.

Honestly? I'd go with your gut instinct. I bet plenty of children won't go, and as she doesn't have friends going up already actually I think it gives you more freedom in your decision; ie won't be case that they are going and you feel obliged. Plenty of time during secondary school to make friends. Similarly if you think it would be beneficial (you know your child best) then sounds like a good idea.

I haven't heard anything about this other than it was being talked about. Could she go for some of the days perhaps? Or just the first week maybe?

Yes, the odd day might be the answer. I need to check because I heard a rumour that it's all or nothing.
I will definitely hold onto the fact that she certainly won't be the only one who can't go and hope any setbacks will be temporary. It's good to be reminded to go with your gut!

DD is moving up to Y7 this summer and her new school are offering this. It’s the first week of the holidays.
DD will be going, for her the chance to find her way around the building, meet people who will be in her tutor group outweighs the negatives.
However, if it was the middle 2 weeks of August I might feel differently as that’s when I have my time off work.

If my DD gets offered it she’s not going. She needs holidays doing stuff, not two weeks more English and maths which will make zero difference if she is actually ‘behind’ anything. And the poor teachers who need holidays even more than the DC

@Definitelymaybeee

Yes, the odd day might be the answer. I need to check because I heard a rumour that it's all or nothing. I will definitely hold onto the fact that she certainly won't be the only one who can't go and hope any setbacks will be temporary. It's good to be reminded to go with your gut!

Nothing to stop her just not going in for a few days though.

We have a week before term starts.

Ive said DD will attend a couple of days but not all as one of the days is my birthday, one her friends birthday and its my last time off before Christmas!

The school aren't to happy about that but tough. I'm sending her a couple of days to meet people more than anything.

Please if you are signing your child up for this, be straight with the school about what days they will attend. If a child does not turn up the school will not get funding for them for that day & will probably lose money if they have already committed staff to it.

A local secondary school is offering the new year 7s a week - I assume it'll be teambuilding and sports/art rather than a lot of actual teaching as they are recruiting sixth formers and paying them £10 per hour!

I would much rather it was simply starting a week early, the middle of August makes it feel a whole lot worse. Thanks for your thoughts everyone, it definitely helps to hear that it's not just me that thinks it's not right for their DC.