Want to know more about supporting your child as they return to school? Ask the GDST’s expert Heads - £100 voucher to be won

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We know lots of you may be apprehensive about your children going back to school. The GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust) would like to know what concerns you have – and any tips you’ve discovered to reassure your children about their return to their classrooms. Three expert GDST Heads will be joining this discussion in a few days to answer your questions and address your apprehensions.

Are you anxious about your child’s safety back at school? Are you curious about how teachers will get children back up to speed? Have you got thoughts or questions about how to help children re-adjust to the formality and structure of school after the many months of home learning? Maybe your child’s teachers have absolutely smashed it so far, and you’d like to give them a shout-out; maybe your child is approaching a big transition in their education and you’d like to know how best to support them for public exams, or transition to a new school or college.

Here’s what the GDST has to say: “The GDST is a family of schools where girls learn without limits. We are the leading group of independent girls’ schools in the UK, with 23 fee-paying schools and two academies.

We know that parents want to support their children. Now, we’re working with Mumsnet to provide reassurance, advice and guidance to parents as we look ahead to the new school term."

Want to know who will be responding to your questions and comments? Find some information on the GDST’s experts below:

Claire Boyd is Head of Wimbledon High Junior School.
Claire has experience of teaching at every level of Junior education, including Reception and Key Stage 1. Before joining Wimbledon High, she was Head of Sydenham High Prep and, prior to that, Head of Lower School at Ravenscourt Park Prep School. Claire is dedicated to educating children to be the very best they can be, but always ensuring first and foremost that they are having fun and are happy.

Nina Gunson is the Head of Sheffield High School for Girls.
Nina studied Molecular Biology and, after a short stint as a recruitment consultant, trained as a teacher. She began her teaching career as a biology teacher, before becoming Head of Careers, then Head of Science, and rising to Assistant Head. She was Deputy Head at Sheffield Girls’ before moving to lead Wakefield Girls’ High School, and then returned to Sheffield Girls’ as its Head in 2018. Nina aims to instil a ‘can-do’ approach into everyone in the school community.

Emma Pattison is Head of Croydon High School
Emma hails originally from Lincolnshire, and is a Modern Languages specialist. A teacher of both French and Spanish, she went on to become Head of Year 8, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, and then a Deputy Head before joining Croydon High as Headmistress in 2016. Emma has led the school through a period of positive change and growth and is now facing the challenges of Covid-19 with the same energy and proactivity. Emma leads by example, with a caring approach and a commitment to help each student achieve their best, creating a nurturing environment in which they can flourish.

Whether you’ve got a burning question or a useful technique to share, let the GDST know by posting on this thread and their experts will join the conversation and try to address some of the queries raised.

All who post a question will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

@BellaVida

I have read several reports of the negative impact of the pandemic and lockdown on children’s mental health. As a family we also experienced some tough times in the last few months, including the whole exam debacle and traumatic loss of a family member. Now the new term is about to start, one of my DC, who is in secondary school, has said they preferred homeschool, 2 were happy to do schooling online and seem equally okay about going back and the youngest is a little apprehensive about how it will all work, but still really excited about getting back in the classroom with all her friends.

What is your best advice for parents and schools to support the mental health of children and teens returning to a formal school environment? How can we offer reassurances to male them feel safe and confident moving forward, when there is still so much uncertainty?

Dear @BellaVida,

This sounds like many of the families with children at our school. Some struggled with the independence associated with home learning and really missed the interaction with their peers and teachers, whilst others actually enjoyed it and worked well and may find they need to readjust to the hustle and bustle of school life. So, I suppose, one of the reassurances is that children will all cope differently with the return to school this week and will each have things they are looking forward to or feeling a little anxious about.

The staff in schools will be prepared for this and there will be lots of support to help the students settle back into routines. Listen to your children's concerns, you don't need to provide solutions but listen and let them share how they are feeling. One of the best ways you can support their mental health is to normalise the way they are feeling - whatever it is. Not the same as dismissing their anxieties - but reassuring them that they have every reason to feel worried and that others will be feeling the same can really help. Ask them what they need from you - even if they can't tell you anything specific, it will help them to feel safe, knowing that you are available and will provide whatever support they may want.

The first week or two back will feel the strangest, but they will quickly re-establish routines and, I hope, enjoy being back amongst their friends.

-Nina

Thanks Nina. That’s makes total sense. I think my greatest worry aside from that is how do they reconcile having lost a family member and not having seen them for a couple of months before their death and then not being able to attend their funeral or even memorial service due to overseas travel restrictions. They have said it doesn’t ‘feel real’ that they have died. Obviously we have talked about it, they have cried, but I don’t think they have really processed it.

I’m sure there’s lots of helpful advice on here but as a mother of 2 sons bit disappointed only GDST heads have been invited to talk on this very important subject.

My child just started a new school (14+ school year 10) and 6 months later; lockdown. Now they are going back but it's year 11! Exam year. How can they sit exams with only 6 months (less with holidays) of the new school curriculum. How do we make the best use of my child's short time there?

@Catapultme

How are you going to ensure the smart well-behaved kids who kept up with their school work over lockdown aren't going to be penalised by being made to repeat work whilst the children whose parents couldn't or wouldn't support school work catch up?

Hello @Catapultme,

There is no doubt that pupil experience during lockdown will have been varied; some pupils will have received significant levels of support at home, whilst others will have been left to tackle learning independently and others who have done very little for the duration.This will mean that the differentiation strategies usually in place to cater for a mix of abilities and curriculum engagement will be more important than ever.

Whilst each school will decide upon an approach to best suit their pupils, it is very likely that you can expect some form of benchmark assessment to take place in order to ascertain exactly where each pupil is with their learning. This data (formal or informal) will help determine intervention programmes, deployment of differentiation strategies and inform which aspects of the curriculum will need special focus. Every school will be keen to meet the needs of each child in their care; be that maintaining momentum created in lockdown or closing gaps for those who have ground to make up. I would encourage you to speak to your child's school to find out more about their plans. I hope the start of term goes well for your child.

-Claire

@CrocodileFondue

We have been shielding for 6 months and are now faced with sending our 4 year old to reception, he has various issues and from what I've read from the school, I won't be able to talk to the teacher at all, just drop him off and leave, same at pickup. It's making me quite anxious, I don't want to be "that parent" and make a fuss but is it out of order to want to know how my child is doing?

Dear @CrocodileFondue,

Please do not worry about "that parent'! I meet so many parents who feel scared of being labelled in that way and always do my best to dispel the myth that schools and their teachers view parent interaction in that way; they really don't! I would absolutely encourage you to contact your child's school before the term begins (if it has not started already) to arrange a video meeting or call to share all the information you think it is important they know in order to support the settling in process. It may be that there are some virtual or socially distanced events for new parents to meet the staff and catch up on things like this already planned but, if not, it is vital you seek a platform for this to happen.

Whilst conversations at drop off and pick up are unlikely to be possible for the coming term, other contact points are reasonable to request. Close, positive partnerships between parents and schools are very valuable and I am confident that you will be able to get the reassurance you require from your school if you contact them directly and ask what the best way of meeting would be. Starting school is a precious milestone and I hope that it is happy transition into Reception for you and your son.

-Claire

@farmfreshmilk

Hi! Another happy GDST parent here! Just wanted to thank you all, DD has been fully engaged in the excellent at home provision since day 3 of lockdown. The staff clearly learned and improved techniques over the first period, and I genuinely believe her education hasn't been impacted at all!

Thank you so much @Farmfreshmilk. It is wonderful to hear your experience has been so positive!

-Claire

@Cotswoldmama

The only thing I'm anxious about is what might happen if there's another lockdown. I'd like to know what they plan to do so I don't need to worry about it and being thinking of all the what ifs

Hello @Cotswoldmama,

I am sure you are not alone in trying to imagine all the different 'ifs' that may come into play over the coming weeks and months that may occur as a result of managing and responding to Covid-19. Whilst there can not be any absolutes, given the unpredictable nature of the situation, the Department for Education have published guidance on a 'tiered approach' to dealing with future lockdown which aims to only close schools as a last resort.

Proposals for primary and secondary schools are quite different. In the main, the plan is respond to the needs of local communities rather than taking large-scale national measures like we experienced with all schools closing in March. Schools are in the process of getting ready with plans to ensure continuity of education moving forward and this should absolutely be a source of reassurance to you. Do speak to your child's school as the new term begins who I am sure will be able to give you clearer steer on what they think will be feasible for them.

-Claire

My kids really look forward to the school Christmas fair and concert. This is a huge marker in the year and really keeps my kids motivated during the long winter term. There are loads of activities and preparation associated with the events and the kids get to do drama music and craft. Provisionally this has been cancelled in its current format, which of course is totally understandable. Do you think there might be more creative ways that schools can celebrate important markers in the year and show case the children's work?

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the excellent advice I received. My ds started high school yesterday and after using your advice it went really well (he even slept all night the night before).

Your thoughts please...
My son, 16 SEN school. Usual school protocols ref. Covid, staggered start times, no school transport, bubbles etc. We live in one of the highest incident Covid areas.

Second day. “We’re going to the pub for lunch” When I object I’m told that “the school have done a risk assessment...“

Is this a rational or responsible school trip?

Thank you to all of you who took part in our discussions, and sorry we weren’t able to answer everyone’s questions – we were making sure that everything was ready to welcome all our pupils back to our own schools.

Yes, there are new routines and one-way systems and other measures in place that we didn’t have before. But there’s still the familiar buzz and feeling of vibrancy and enthusiasm around the place. It has been lovely to see so many smiling faces in our classrooms again. We’ve loved having the children with us. We've missed them so much!

We hope your child is enjoying being back in school too.

Best of wishes from all of us

• Claire, Emma and Nina

Would it not put parents minds at rest to test all pupils on a regular basis?

My daughter was due to go on her year 6 residential trip with school next month. Do you think that's going to be a possibility at all in the next say 6 months? Assuming it wont happen really.

After 6 months away, how do we convince children that its now okay to return to the classroom?

We all know about masks etc and handling paper, but what about school uniforms which get as much contact as the above?

Thanks all for your questions! The winner of the prize draw is @BellaVida