Year 6 - Learning? Wot? Nah Miss!

[Year6Woes]

I have the enviable task of teaching Year 6, and whereas usually we wouldn't see them switch off from learning until late May because of SATs, they have switched off much earlier as no SATs this year.

Many are not interested, just seem to be waiting out their time until secondary, with lots of "What's the point?" or even just outright refusing.

Whilst I can accept things have been tough for them having been in lockdown, not seeing mates and socialising, I obviously can't have kids just sitting around doing nothing until the usual Yr6 transitions of PGL, school play etc (if these go ahead).

How do I get them motivated in what is left of the curriculum? Any advice?

Our Year Six children are still sitting SATs. They are just being marked by me instead of externally and will be used to inform their attainment levels for secondary school rather than national comparison / external target setting.

On the first day back, we discussed the purpose of education and what they were actually here for. We normally frame things in terms of secondary school anyway, with the end of KS2 assessments forming part of that, so it was a bit easier. I've told mine that they aren't academically ready yet and will find Year Seven more difficult than they need to if they decide to waste the time we have left. So far, they all seem onboard.

Mine are the same. I've been a bit brutal with some of the worst and showed them their previous work compared to this weeks. They have nil stamina, nil resilience and no manners. Most of them didn't get off the ps4 all lockdown and only those that were in with me read anything.

Today we did an arithmetic paper purely so I can show them what they were like compared to now. It might sound horrid but their whole attitude is terrible, very much as you describe. All the vulnerable kids with issues were in, this lot were very entitled at home and left to do whatever they wanted. I rang 8 sets of parents this evening. All of them complained about their behaviour at home too but were glad they were back at school to sort it out. Therein lies the problem.

I have stuck a manners and effort chart, bought a load of sweets and am fiercely rewarding those that are trying hard.

Atrocious behaviour from my year 11 today. Similarly, no motivation now. Apparently I will just be "giving them grades anyway and the sixth form will let everybody in, just like last year". Sympathies

I wish I had some advice - I’ve been teaching a long time but this is the first year I have counted out the weeks until the end of the year ....
They just don’t want to be in school, don’t want to do anything or put any effort in. It is going to a a tough 15 weeks getting them ready for year 7. I know the High School usually has a zero tolerance approach and fear there may be exclusions ahead if we can’t get back on track with behaviour.