Maybe repeating the year would be better?

[foibles2011]

Ok I understand I'm probably going to get some very heated views from this but I can't help feeling that at this point the best thing for our children would be to repeat whichever school year they are in beginning in September. And no I am not just a lazy mum who can't be bothered to do the homeschooling - I am running myself into the ground trying to educate my two children and their school have been amazing in providing resources/live lessons and more but nothing can replace what they have lost in terms of school experience and then there are those children who are going to miss exams etc. The stress and mental toll that homeschooling brings just doesn't seem worth it when we could all be focusing on keeping our families happy and healthy, keeping our jobs and admit that educationally the last year has been a write off! What do you all think?

[NovemberR]

This has been done to death and it's clear it could not ever be a realistic possibility for multiple reasons.

[DigitalGhost]

@cautiouscovidity doesn't that just pointlessly screw two more years up for kids though. They'd forever be in a class that is far too big putting them at a bigger disadvantage than the kids that have missed a year.

[cautiouscovidity]

[quote DigitalGhost]@cautiouscovidity doesn't that just pointlessly screw two more years up for kids though. They'd forever be in a class that is far too big putting them at a bigger disadvantage than the kids that have missed a year. [/quote]
It was tongue in cheek really but I didn't mean make the class sizes bigger, just the year groups. So a two form entry would have 3 forms for those two year groups and so on...

[DigitalGhost]

Ah sorry! Probably abit sensitive to it tbh as my DD starts in September and she's only going to have just turned 4. Classes are massive round here as it is 😬

[SoupDragon]

B) Split the new intake in two based on age. The oldest cohort would start reception in September alongside this year's reception children who would be repeating, making a year cohort approx 1.5 times its normal size

Where are these amazing expandable schools that will fit an entire extra year in? 🙄

[Nopreservatives]

I think it probably would be the right thing for the children in school but it will mean they start their working life a year late and what do we do with all the children due to start school this Sept?

[SoupDragon]

A) delay school starting age to 5 (turning 6)

Where are all the children who would have taken the pre-school slots going to go?

What happens at the top of the tree with pupils going to university? How are universities meant to cope with a year of very few students? Many will go bust.

[famedThesaurusofTheforgotten]

Children are resilient

My older dd missed 4 years of school due to severe illness she still did GCSEs and is at the same stage as her peers it can be managed that all these children currently being homeschooled aren’t behind. Allowances can be made in future too for these children if necessary

[Cattitudes]

I would build in more flexibility at the top of the system- so the option at 16 of retaking two full years of GCSEs and then going on to A-levels. For much of the cohort this will not be necessary or appropriate, but it gives everyone a chance to come out with decent grades.

I guess it might be possible to have some separate provision for year 6 students who are still not secure in their learning, either in their new secondary schools or in a separate temporary provision, again just for those who need it/ want it. They can then reintegrate next year with slightly more flexibility on class sizes.

[Localocal]

I think this is an excellent idea. Our entire curriculum is too pushy anyway, and education research suggests we start formal schooling too early. This is our chance to push it back a year. So next year's four year olds stay in nursery for another year, and from now on we start reception at five instead. We would need more nannies and childminders and nursery places, but those are quicker to develop than qualified teachers.

As for the other end of the age scale, university students can be given the option of graduating as scheduled or staying on for an extra year, paid for by the government.

Reducing the number of school leavers and graduates entering the workforce this year would give last year's leavers and grads a chance to get jobs, which so many have not been able to do yet.

[HoppingPavlova]

We are not in the UK but did have a period of schooling disruption last year. My youngest was meant to start uni this year but is instead repeating the last year of school. Most kids didn’t want to delay progressing, a few did, there should be options all round.

[Lulu1919]

My children in my class are having 6 lives lessons a day plus a live sports lesson
There shouldn't be anything to 'catch up '
Also where would the new reception children go that are due to start in September ?
There would be no First Years at uni ?
No 16 plus at college ?
Not sure it's that simple ...