Year 11 half term - in school?

[Ohgetreal]

Is anyone else's year 11s being asked to go in during half term?

Our school are pushing for them to go in and are even buying in a company to run seasons. My child is adamant that no one will be going and it's a waste of time.

Urrgh reading this (and similar threads) it shows the GCSE system really is awful. To much to learn in the time given, constantly going over and over the same thing (aka "revision").
It's just horrible. So horrible.

It depends upon the subject. I've been at holiday classes where kids have needed 121 tuition because for various reasons, absolutely nothing has gone in and stuck. Sometimes their behaviour in class has prevented learning, but the prospect of free food and help has meant they've come in and worked hard without distractions (and having breaks) to achieve understanding and consolidate knowledge that wasn't there a week before.

Also a lot of the extra sessions DS went to were about exam technique which he found very helpful.

They tried doing this when I was doing my GCSE's way back. I didn't go in and guess what? I had a lovely week off, relaxing, which did me far more good than sitting in a classroom revising for yet another week would have done. I came away with excellent GCSE results.

Sometimes kids need a break more than they need anything else. There's already way too much pressure on kids these days to achieve the best at school, way too much homework from a very young age, constant pressure from teachers and many parents.

The teachers and pushy parents will totally disagree with me, but I think a week off is exactly what most kids need. Time to just be kids and forget about their upcoming exams for a short while. They can come back to the hard slog when term starts back up.

Those poor teachers! Do people on here know that the teachers providing this (unless external providers are brought in) are not being paid extra for this service?

Schools that provide this often put huge amount of pressure on teachers to go the extra mile - run an extra lesson after school every week, booster breakfast club, give up their holiday (which is fixed when they can take it, no toil). Then there is the hidden time, every revision session needs planning and preparation, marking and administration.

Given teachers are routinely working 45+ hours a week, adding on hours/ days on top of this is totally unreasonable.

Plus, students need a break, they need to time to see family (and possibly travel to do so), spend time with friends and just time to chill. That isn’t to say no work at all, but give them (and teachers) a break.

At my DS school, sessions in school give a chance to children who don't have the space, time or inclination at home. Some work better in the school environment.
Those who think that revision is just going back over and over are not thinking of children with low attendance (for whatever reason) who has missed sections of the course or children who find a particular topic hard. Or maybe a high flying child who wants to ask the teacher a question.
DS school had a record number of 5s this year across the board - many kids who may have failed or scraped a 4 did better. We're not talking 8s and 9s (although school did offer "predicted 7+" sessions as well), we're just talking about giving a lift to those who really need it.
Take the break if that is best for your family, especially if you have an independent learner - most schools start ramping pressure after Christmas rather than October half term.

No, my DD's school isn't doing this. I've not heard of it happening round here. Like the idea of them being required to attend just a few sessions but also having time to relax and spend time with friends and family outside of that. I can't imagine her school would have the budget for it though

They don’t need much budget (heating and lighting). The teachers would be guilted into attending - do the the best for the students. They don’t get paid extra.

I'm assuming it won't be every day during half term or full days?

If it was my dc, I'd most likely give them a nudge to go (and we are a family that usually travels across the country every holiday to visit family).

Teachers don't get paid for this but some schools do give toil instead. Our HOD used his last year so he go to his daughters sports day and other things he normally wouldn't get to do as working during term.

It's great that the teachers will do it though.

You misunderstand me. This is patching up a system not fit for purpose. Time to stop the insanity, and the unrelenting pressure on young people, and their teachers.

I think if they’ve got Mocks after half term they need to be working now. Well that’s if they want to do their best in their GCSEs. Most kids actually do, and 5 GCSEs at 5 or above is something to have. They can have Christmas off, then it’s the final push until May. Revision Feb half term and Easter, but time to chill as well.

Doing revision is still less intense than a ‘normal’ school day with the whole school in. Sessions are shorter and small groups and teachers often provide tea/hot choc/snacks. It’s quite a pleasant atmosphere, like conference. And there isn’t the rest of the school to deal with.

Year 11 is the real thing. Exam year. They’re not babies anymore and can stand a bit more work. I do agree younger children absolutely need their short days and long holidays and I absolutely don’t believe in holiday homework for younger years.

Would I go in as a teacher? I’ve done it in the past, but I would say that now, with my own teenagers, they’d have to pay me.

My children, Y11 and Y13, study at home. My son’s school offers ‘paid for’ Revision courses but he’s doing ok so doesn’t need it. My daughters school don’t offer but if they did I’d consider.

I don’t see the issue? Do it or don’t do it, but don’t moan about it.

It's part of Covid catch up provision possibly - this is the last year of that