Not using half term to catch up am I wrong?

[CatAndTheChild]

NC for this.

DD is 6, year 2. I am a single parent and she is an only child. She also has some health issues, although I am furloughed.

School do 1x live lesson a day for maths or English, then 1x prerecorded maths or English (they alternate so one day it’s Maths with A Class/Bubble and the next it’s English with B Class/Bubble). Then the other topics/subjects are set a task and/or worksheet to complete. Live lesson is uploaded in the hour after the lesson to watch back/again at leisure. All worksheets/tasks are uploaded to an online system at the end of everyday for the next day. School are also good at printing anything off in advance and posting it through letter boxes/letting you collect from school.

DD is about 2 weeks behind with maths and English and 3-4 weeks in all other subjects. She’s had zoom medical appointments during this lockdown which take much longer than normal in clinic appointments so those days she’s done 1 or 2 tasks rather than the recommended 5-6, and she’s also had a few days of doing nothing as she’s needed to attend blood tests or go to the actual hospital/clinic for tests that can’t be done at home (they’ve closed all the local clinics temporarily and keep sending us to the big hospital 25 miles away so a simple blood test can easily take all day when I’d usually be able to pop with her to the clinic in my town and it take an hour).

Teacher called me today and very apologetically told me that DD will need to use half term next week to try and catch up. She fully admits that if DD were at school she’d be having extra support to get her through and she’d also be setting much less work in school because she’d be able to assess the childrens understand and adapt tasks.

I do feel for the teacher, she’s doing her best. But I don’t want to use half term to catch up. Selfishly I was looking forward to some time with DD where I don’t have to consider her schooling for a bit, she has no appointments so it’ll be my time to run around with her, bake, play games etc. I am happy to play maths or English related games with her.

My DD doesn’t have an EHCP as she doesn’t really need one (class TA can keep her up for now) so doesn’t class as vulnerable. But she is getting a really raw deal atm, she has me teaching her, no siblings to play with and is still battling her medical issues. We’re spending all day 9-3 working on schoolwork and sometimes still not getting it finished. Even cutting out other subjects and just focusing on Maths and English there’s just too much to do.

So do I use half term to catch up? Or just pick up where are at when the new half term starts?

Sort of update and now I'm a bit confused.

So TA turns up today with a Home Star of the Week certificate (they do two per class atm, one for in School and one at home). Obviously DD is thrilled she's never had star of the week before so she was lapping up the attention.

TA tells me the teacher rang other parents with the same message about catching up because the head is stressed as they're due ofstead any time so wants to be on top of home learning.

I didn't ask whether that means we actually have to use half term to catch up. Does anyone know?

It hasn't changed anything for you, you need to do what's best for your child not what's best for the school/Ofsted.

It does sound as though the school is trying to make sure they are able to say they've identified those who are falling behind and given them clear instructions on how to catch up.

Your daughter is spending too much time on maths if it's taking from 9am until lunchtime. I wonder if it might be helpful to ask her teacher to specify how much independent time should be spent on tasks and make that the end goal for your DD rather than her feeling as though she needs to get through everything?

Stick to your original plans. Tell the teacher without a hint of apology that you won't be using half term to catch up. Do the lovely things together that you were planning. It will be a well needed change and break for the two of you.
When you have a child with a health condition I think you have to be even more mindful about making sure they get those regular breaks to switch off from school completely as many holidays can be taken up with illness or appointments.
If she can catch up in one week only, then she is so insignificantly behind her peers as to not bother about. Have a rest! If she can't catch up in one week, then it's a nonsense strategy anyway, and will make very little difference to her education overall. The time off will be more valuable.
Sometimes you have to let go of the teacher's idea of where she 'should' be and accept that where she is is actually okay considering what life is throwing at her right now. Don't under estimate the pressure and stress she might be feeling from unrealistic expectations to catch up.
I'm sure you will be reading stories to her, doing real life maths as you bake, and chatting to her which will all have more value than sitting her down with worksheets.
Please please please have a break from school. It can only do you good!

Have a break. You are not obliged to explain yourself to school/ ask their permission/ tell them your plans.

I hope they have considered Ofsted may mark them down if they talk to parents and find out they have been suggesting they work through the holidays which are designed to give the kids a rest

Lots of sensory stuff.

Baking maths and pizza fractions and writing your name in the snow and yes Valentines cards.

No desk work

Both my kids schools have actively told us to take a break over half term

Can you get some of those orchard games to help her practise what she doesn't understand?

Our school has set homework for half
Term for our six year old. We will not be doing it. We have school breaks for a
Reason and we all are ready for one in this house.

I am hoping that with the break from all the juggling and stress we can regroup and push through the two weeks until they hopefully go back. I think the fact there is a possibility it could be longer means you should take the break.

We are all just doing our best. I cant
Manage it all and the full time
Job in my house. You sound like you are doing plenty and that even when not learning DD gets plenty of attention and stimulation. Go easy on yourself.

There will be no level playing field on return to school and the teachers are going to face a nightmare of kids with wildly differing levels. Which they won't be able to level out by the end of the school term. Due to every families situation being different. Your child will slot in amongst all of that. She is not going to be an odd one out.

It sounds like you do need to apply for an EHCNA. If DD struggles even with TA support/1:1 help from you she isn't coping now.

Trust your unstinc and let her have a rest.

*instinct

Two things are standing out from your posts - firstly is the work being sent home properly differentiated to her needs? For it to be taking so long it doesn’t sound like it is.

Secondly why are you doing adult YouTube videos for the physio? Has your physio not set your own program for you suitable to where she is at? That would save a lot of time!

I'd give her a good break until at least Wednesday, then see how you both feel about picking an activity or two from school.

I think the teacher is being unreasonable. This must be impossible for working parents.