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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Why the need to wind down so early...

54 replies

Bookeatingboy · 08/07/2016 17:42

For two weeks now our YR3's have not been doing normal lessons and we still have another two weeks of this to go.

My children are coming home fed up as they seem to be doing lots of craft stuff, word searches and playing with Lego, whilst the teaching staff are clearing classrooms of this YR groups stuff and getting ready for next year.

Whilst I appreciate that they need to wind down and prepare, surely 4 weeks of it is way too much? They are about to get 6 weeks off!

Would be interested to know what other schools are doing.

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MilkRunningOutAgain · 08/07/2016 20:19

Not so at DD's state primary, they have done end of year tests this week in all subjects, and have rehearsed and performed the end of year play. They are finishing their project too, which is building a motorised theme park, each couple making a separate ride. She is yr 5. I expect they will start winding down at the end of next week, which generally involves lots of playing outside.

Sirzy · 08/07/2016 20:20

Ds school is still working as normal! He is year 1

jennielou75 · 08/07/2016 20:21

We are only just winding down next week. We will still be doing maths and making picture books from our role play drama this week. We will keep going as long as possible whilst not stressing out my very tired class.

EarthboundMisfit · 08/07/2016 20:25

Mine are still hard at it! Previously winddown has begun about a month ahead, not sure what's changed!

user789653241 · 08/07/2016 20:27

Yes I agree, why they do this in England?
I went to primary in 2 different countries. Both didn't do this.
England has way more holidays/days off compared to other countries, and before Christmas wind down and before summer wind down.

Spottytop1 · 08/07/2016 20:28

This is unusual! We usually get the last week off timetable but that is it!

Sometimes we have a few 'topic weeks' where we do a more creative curriculum but it doesn't involve word searches and Lego!

Are they moving buildings or having renovations to the school?

Marthacliffscumbag · 08/07/2016 20:31

Same here, my year 3 son has been on wind down for 2 weeks with still another 2 weeks to go. DVD watching, trips to the park, strawberry picking, afternoon tea for parents, waterfight on the playground, the list is endless. But God forbid you use this wasted time to take your children out of school and on holiday! Then holy hell will rain down on your head, instead, I watch holiday prices triple while my child regales me with tales of another day at school where 'we did no lessons, just played all day'.......

Sleeperandthespindle · 08/07/2016 20:32

I am not winding down at all and nor is anyone else in school. In fact, we're busier than ever, trying to make sure all is completed this term and helping prepare for next year.

Special school - if we attempted to wind down we'd certainly pay heavily for it.

A little hint of accusing teachers of being lazy?

rollonthesummer · 08/07/2016 20:37

I'm not winding down with my y1 class. We will have some fun activities the week starting 18.7.16 (we finish on the 20th) -we will be planning/making the food for then eating a picnic/watching the leavers' play and visiting the new classes etc but it's business as usual until then.

BertPuttocks · 08/07/2016 20:39

My two at primary school (Reception and Yr5) are still doing their usual work. Today they both mentioned maths and literacy. They did some art but it was related to their class topics.

The winding-down doesn't usually start until the final week.

Ankleswingers · 08/07/2016 20:40

I agree op, this is what's happening in my DS class , who is in reception. Seems as though the academic year has been wrapped up already here.

Banana99 · 08/07/2016 20:42

It's started at my school - no reading books to bring home. 8 days to go and suspect the last 3 days they will do nothing at all

Original poster

Bookeatingboy · 08/07/2016 20:42

I might have a word with the head on Monday. It just seems way too early, two weeks of wind down is more than enough, four is just ridiculous. They may as well not be in school.

There is no building work during the break. We've had a big school production on this week in the evenings and some sporting events out of school, both of which have staff involvement which may be a reason.

OP posts:

ellaballoo · 08/07/2016 20:46

No winding down for my Y3 , although no homework from next week . Enrichment week , normal week the following week and then a few days winding down . Would rather stay on timetable until the last day .

Celticlassie · 08/07/2016 20:49

That's shocking. In secondary I keep my classes working till a day or two before, albeit sometimes finishing off / illustrating bits of work. We're certainly not allowed to stop working with our classes before then. I know from a friend who is a primary teacher that they wind down for longer, but even then it's just the last week.

coragreta · 08/07/2016 20:51

DVD watching, trips to the park, strawberry picking, afternoon tea for parents, waterfight on the playground

This sounds amazing. I don't know why your complaining. They are y3 for Christ sake it's not like they are doing their GCSEs. Let them have some fun!

Original poster

Bookeatingboy · 08/07/2016 20:56

Glad I'm not being a grump.

elleballoo We haven't had homework for 2 weeks and no maths or literacy either...

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Sleeperandthespindle · 08/07/2016 21:01

I agree with coragreta - isn't it great that your children are experiencing so many great activities. And there WILL be learning going on. It doesn't all have to be ticked off and linked to the national curriculum. Any class team building will be beneficial, contributing to memories of the current class or building confidence ahead of the next class.

YorkieDorkie · 08/07/2016 21:09

It's very lazy. My year 1 class has proper literacy and numeracy lessons right until the last day - admittedly I might do some extra fun things in the afternoon in the last week but not before!

Sleeperandthespindle · 08/07/2016 21:14

Why is it lazy?

Feenie · 08/07/2016 21:17

England has way more holidays/days off compared to other countries

Nope, not so:

www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/school-holidays-map-shows-difference-in-dates-and-duration-around-europe-10515771.html

user789653241 · 08/07/2016 21:22

Sorry, Feenie, my 2 countries aren't European countries, but my statement was incorrect.

Original poster

Bookeatingboy · 08/07/2016 21:37

They have 12 weeks holiday a year plus week-ends to have lots of fun and frankly two weeks wind down is more than enough for any child. IMO 4 weeks is way too long...

I am probably feeling more wound up since ds1 has ASD and loves the school routine and routine in general so hopefully some of you can imagine how 4 weeks of this is affecting him. Not to mention the fall out at home for all of the family!

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Original poster

Bookeatingboy · 08/07/2016 21:39

To add to this, other parents are telling me that their children are equally out of sorts.

OP posts:

sunnydayinmay · 08/07/2016 21:42

Normal routine for my year 4 son. They have had maths tests this week, and normal "time table", but with some time rehearsing the school play.

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