Drowning in a sea full of tiers

[Cismyfatarse]

Next thread. DD's birthday so can someone link.

yes, there is a big list from the FCA - i'm on it but obvs don't need it but they need to ensure that payments get out to people, bereavements are processed etc and then that there appropriate oversight etc so actually includes a lot of roles.

I requested part time furlough to reduce my days from 5 to 3 as my DD is only 3 years old and DP is KW and was declined.

I started a thread and it seems very few companies are furloughing this time when they did at the start I just wondered why

The first time round furlough payments included NI and pensions. This time they don't. That might not sound much but it adds up quickly especially for companies who will have no income.

I'd technically fall in the FCA keyworker list too - but most people who will be making the "are you a keyworker" decision won't really understand why and the way the Scottish version of the summary is worded most places won't be thinking "oh this includes FS"

Just a thought on Higher level exams / courses.
As long as the kids are given reasonably well calculated grades, it get into College/ Uni does it matter if they don't have the all knowledge that a previous student with a A would have?

I'm thinking say Higher Maths - anyone who uses that stuff beyond the exam has probably gone on to do Engineering or something so the subject is probably recovered it in College or Uni?

Or am I missing something?

I just think 2 terms is a lot to miss from school, but I don't think repeating the year is the right answer. So trying to think of implications of it.

I think even the next 2 or 3 years the exams are going to have to reflect the missed opportunities for kids.

I wouldn't assume that the missed knowledge will be covered - especially with the variety of courses. Off the top of my head, higher maths content useful in engineering, all sciences, economics, accounting, business, finance, actual maths (obviously), probably many medical courses, teaching...

Repeating wouldn't be the right thing for everyone. But I think it should be on the option list, along with doing a year in college, going straight to uni/work as planned. Different kids have been impacted in different ways and I don't think there is one single solution.

This time as well, there's the review 1 feb commitment, so maybe there's a hope it's 'only' 3 weeks.

Absolutely - sending people into degrees without full coverage of highers content etc will increase drop out rates and worsen outcomes - how big the effect will depend on the individual and their particular ability to make up ground.

Going into a degree confident is important.

The neighbours I saw taking part in Thursday night clap last year were the ones caught having parties with friends in their homes. Police had been called (not by myself on this occasion) and fines issued. Not all genuinely clapping for NHS, for many it is an empty gesture unfortunately.

@anon444877 I love your optimism 😂

Just call me Pangloss!

On the subject of gritting the roads and pavements, I’ve just got off the phone to my DM and this is the lowest she’s been.

She cannot leave her building due to the icy pavements.
She’s out there putting down table salt at the entrance to the close.

There are gritter bins in the area but apparently not one of the able bodied folk in her close or indeed area has the wit, initiative or community spirit to get out there and clear the path or the pavement to the main road.

I honestly can’t get my head round it.
I’m so frustrated and angry for her.
I remember my DDad and neighbours out clearing snow and ice in the winter.
In the same way we manage to do it where I live now.

Do people just wait for Nicola to tell them what to do ?

I think i agree @Lockdownbear, as long as the estimating is fair so that some DC don't miss out against their peers because of stuff outwith their control. Once in Uni they all have to prove themselves against the standards of the course. They may end up struggling and dropping out as they haven't the relevant grounding or struggle with exams if they've never sat any and I guess the worry is that Unis end up in the same boat where they are having to estimate or delay graduations etc.

There is also the fact that DC not attending Uni or college might lack the skills for the workplace even though they are cabable of a B and were awarded a B, the reality is that they missed some of the course so haven't got a breadth of background even if they have the potential and capability?

I don't know what the answer is but whilst there is an impact on everyone, I think there has been a disproportionate impact on young people and the elderly who are missing out on crucial years of living. I moan, but i'm mid 50s so each year is pretty much like the next. That's not the case if you are 2 or 5 or 12 or 18 or 21 or over 75/80. Or missing out on a first year of having a grandchild etc.

The Clap is back? Shoot me now.

Our street were out banging pots and pans and every kid in the street was out with a recorder or triangle or ukelele. It was hideous.

What you'll find is drop out rates increase, alongside students asking for interruptions and repeat years in their degree. Repeating a year at university probably more expensive for kids than repeating a year at school.

I don't know govt wise whether repeating a school year costs the govt more than a year of university...

In some ways there is capacity for a certain amount of repeat years at university and special circumstances cases but not the volumes that may be seen.

@Rae36

The Clap is back? Shoot me now.

Our street were out banging pots and pans and every kid in the street was out with a recorder or triangle or ukelele. It was hideous.

Christ i would have to move.

I wasn't so much thinking students we repeat a full year, more have an extra semester or 'catchup' classes in the summers or something.

I think I’d rather have THE clap

Kind of the wrong place though, I'd have thought if it's school curriculum that's been missed, schools should be providing it (I am not saying that teachers should do anything not voluntary and for extra pay, or that this can be solved overnight).

Who knows - I'd like to see scot govt saying they're thinking about these questions though, not just pats on the back for early cancellation of exams.

I agree that unis are generally able to deal with more fluctuating capacities so if funding is agreed for extra terms or whatever then it's not expensive from scotgovs pov as they only pay just under £2k and a school place i think averages over £3k? Whether it's affordable from a Uni's pov is different.

It's also about those that aren't headed to uni though, those going into jobs/apprenticeships etc that might not have the breadth they need even if they have the capability.

Lots of the Unis already have Foundation courses for DC who were offered places on widening access criteria. The Sutton Trust also runs support packages for DC in this category to improve school to Uni transition. This includes Summer courses.

The problem is that a lot of the support relies on enhanced F2F and in the current environment that seems problematic.

My 2 DDs are both doing Maths heavy degrees. My DD2 had to do lots of pre-entry tests to make sure she was up to scratch. You do need the Higher material and most have also at least covered Advanced Higher. Even for most social sciences you would need the Higher Maths content. In fact in some ways it is more difficult here as it is assumed as background rather than explicitly taught (think interpreting graphs and stats).

DH uses flexifurlough since it came in, for some of his employees who have childcare issues and tops wages up to 100% Other than those particular employees no other employees have been furloughed.
Its understandable that if companies cash flow has dried up why it’s impossible for them to furlough staff at a cost to the company.
It’s rubbish for both employees and employers who find themselves in such a precarious position.

@MamaTookMyEyebrows

Devastated to note the return of the Thursday night clap.

Well maybe devastated is a little strong. Irked, maybe.

Patronising nonsense.

I'm not clapping. My GP receptionist then my GP snapped at me because I had the audacity to call them because my baby was ill. Mentioned 'infection risk' about 15 times before asking if I'd raised it with the health visitor. Whom I've not seen for well over a year. Last time she called she said she'd call to arrange a visit in August. Still Waiting. Said baby also had an out patient appointment cancelled as there was 'no clinical need' for it. I wonder why they made the clinically unnecessary appointment in the first place.

2 close family friends had cancer treatments stopped in March and subsequently died.

Yes, there are a lot of people busting a gut in the NHS and I wouldn't be them for the world. But not everyone.

In line with Groovee's posts, my father died mid December but we couldnt organise the funeral until this week. We live in a large village and pretty much everyone uses the village undertaker who lives locally. While discussing plans and the gap between death and funeral, my sister wondered where exactly our father's remains were. Teen DS piped up casually " Grandad's in a fridge in Mrs Dow's house."
The image that conjured had us all helpless. ( She is actually a proper undertaker with a full morgue etc, just in case anyone is worried!)

DH is in the financial sector and classed as a keyworker but DD not entitled to a school place during lockdown as I'm not a keyworker. Both parents need to be, I was told. And DD would not be doing much in school anyway. I reckon she'd be less bored at home, albeit without company.

DD wants to do 'the clap' but I am not sure anyone else in the street will.

Absolutely agree wax the question of what's been lost and what can be done for all young people affected needs proper consideration - I've got nephews going into apprenticeships missing content too and now also having the tough start of their course affected. My DSister is very worried.

There's still a higher drop out rate for widening access university students (2 family have gone and dropped out in recent years), and much criticism of the support available for struggling students even in 'normal' times.

I know I've got rose tinted spectacles but I'd love to see our supposedly left wing scot gov stepping up on the skill lag question rather than passing the buck on to unis, colleges and employers.

We've shut down everything in the last year - but somehow education can just cope wi it all by cancelling exams.