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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Have most secondary schools ditched paper planners now?

51 replies

mebbie · 18/09/2021 17:59

When my 16yo was in year 7 he had a paper planner in the form of a little notebook, to record his homework. A year or two later the school rolled out an online homework application, so kids and parents could see all the homework set. The school still handed out paper planners the following year, but I don't think they were used much. Eventually they ditched them completely. Have most other schools gone down the same route? I'm asking because now my youngest son is in year 7 and one of the other mums is making a big fuss about the fact that there is no paper planner, and the fact that her son might need to remember login details. I know it might be difficult for some families if they're not tech savvy, but surely this the world we're now in and the sooner kids learn to use tech in their daily lives the better. (And of course, she could just buy him a planner herself if it's such a big deal Hmm).

OP posts:
HighRopes · 18/09/2021 18:01

My Y9 dd was disgruntled not to get given a planner this year for the first time, and popped into WH Smith’s on her way home on the first day, to get herself a suitable notebook.

maddy68 · 18/09/2021 18:10

They are ridiculously expensive as they're tailored to each school apps don't get lost or soggy sounds like a good move

RedskyThisNight · 18/09/2021 18:13

DD still has a planner. I am actually not sure why as absolutely everything is online. she does use it for writing notes to herself, plus it has her timetable at the front and maps of the school (which I guess are useful for Year 7s).

Original poster
mebbie · 18/09/2021 19:14

DS's timetable is on the app, but no good in school as they can't use their phones. Instead he has a paper copy in his blazer pocket, which he was given on the first day. If he loses it he can ask for another or print it out at home (whereas if he'd lost his planner he would have had to pay £5 for a new one, and then ask for another copy of the timetable to stick into it).

OP posts:
Clymene · 18/09/2021 19:27

Our school still uses them. I wish they didn't.

Kindlingwood · 18/09/2021 19:28

All schools up here have supply issues. They’re on their way, eventually

WhiskeyNeverStartsToTasteNice · 18/09/2021 19:39

DD year 10 has never had a paper planner. Surely if you were that concerned about it you'd just buy your kid one yourself, but seems like some parents like to complain about anything and everything 😉

ChicChaos · 18/09/2021 19:44

DD has a paper planner and SMHW for online homework/timetable - as a PP said they can't use their phones only at break times and the paper planner has to be signed by a parent every week as well.

Badbadbunny · 18/09/2021 19:44

Pretty pointless having it online when many schools have banned use of phones in school grounds!

Like when they have "cover" teachers who just tell them to do homework during the lesson, but the kids aren't allowed their phones to access the homework!

MrsHamlet · 18/09/2021 20:48

We have a paper planner with general info in, and teams for homework.
We try to teach them not to write passwords down.

onemouseplace · 18/09/2021 20:52

DD has just been given a paper planner. I think it's brilliant as she can make a note of anything she is told when she is told it, as she's not allowed her phone on during the school day.

Original poster
mebbie · 18/09/2021 20:55

@MrsHamlet

We have a paper planner with general info in, and teams for homework. We try to teach them not to write passwords down.
Writing down passwords is one of the reasons the obnoxious year 7 mum is giving for needing a paper planner! Hmm
OP posts:
Bitofachinwag · 18/09/2021 20:57

It isn't " what the world is like now ". It only is if we want it to be. If you want paper planners ask the school about it. Adults who grew up with no tech can use it fine, children don't need to use "tech" for every single thing to learn to cope as adults. It'll be different then anyway.

Personally I think paper is better. We should encourage young people to spend less time on screens, not more.

MrsHamlet · 18/09/2021 20:59

Writing down passwords is one of the reasons the obnoxious year 7 mum is giving for needing a paper planner!
It's one of the default pages that we remove. Writing passwords down gives the computing teachers apoplexy.

MrsHamlet · 18/09/2021 21:00

Paper planners cost us thousands of pounds. I am really not convinced that's a good way for us to spend money.

JaffavsCookie · 18/09/2021 21:00

We ditched paper planners nearly 10 years ago, but every kid in the school has a school issued iPad. I do think it’s a bit off of the school to not give a paper planner and not issue a device.

BikeRunSki · 18/09/2021 21:01

DS(Y8) has a paper planner, and homework apps.

RomainingCalm · 18/09/2021 21:22

DC have planners. Apparently they are useful as makeshift table tennis bats at lunchtime.

Original poster
mebbie · 18/09/2021 22:03

@RomainingCalm

DC have planners. Apparently they are useful as makeshift table tennis bats at lunchtime.
Grin
OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 18/09/2021 22:06

DD's old school consulted pupils on whether they wanted paper planners a few years ago. The response was overwhelming in favour of getting rid of them.

autumnboys · 18/09/2021 22:09

Our secondary has a paper planner and an app. Much angst for DS3 last week when he lost the paper planner and had to traipse all around the school looking for it. I was on the verge of giving him £5 for a new one when his form tutor had it handed in. My other two never lost theirs once, but neither did they really use them. DS2 in particular never wrote in it, but I was still supposed to check and sign. DS3 is autistic & dyslexic and could do without the stress, frankly.

I think they’re a waste of paper.

FatAnkles · 18/09/2021 22:13

DD has a paper planner AND an app. It causes confusion. Some of the older teachers set homework only in the planners. Others use the app, exclusively.

I hate the app, because some teachers set homework in the evening a couple of hours AFTER school ends, for the next day, when DD is already snowed under. DD writes all the app homework in her planner anyway.

MrsHamlet · 18/09/2021 22:20

Staff are required to set all homework online in my school. I'd kill the paper planner if it was up to me but it's not.

EvilPea · 18/09/2021 22:25

Yes ours is the app. Which doesn’t work on older iPhones. After spending £700 on uniform, i was thrilled having to buy an iPhone, and then not buying a new enough one. So that’s inclusive. bring it up with the school and they say to use the school computers (which aren’t accessible because of covid) or to use the website. If you use the website you have to keep checking for any new work.

tiredanddangerous · 18/09/2021 22:28

My dc have planners and the school I work at hands them out too. They are compulsory and parents are expected to pay for them Hmm