Is Some Better Than None

[teacake44]

Don't see the big problem with getting kids learning again. Why not for the time being just get a rota system going, have some classes come in on a Monday, some on a Tuesday and so on, and each time they come in set them some homework for the rest of the weekdays that their not in. This has got to be better than continued none education. Or is this to simple to even consider for this idiotic government.

[Neveracrossword]

Most Scottish schools finish up in June, so I think it was always less likely that students would return to finish the year. They also start back earlier - mid August.

[Prudie]

I don't have school age children and don't know if I'd think differently if I did but the risks are so minute the soonr they are all back in school the better. The 2 meters will probably be reduced very soon anyway. What I do think is it makes a total mockery of the rule of fining parents for taking their kids out of school in term time for a holiday they can afford because it damages their education. I am an ex-teacher and 2 weeks out would have zero effect on their overall learning. That needs reviewing come normality.

[bednobs]

I absolutely agree prudie - local authorities will not have a leg to stand on when it comes to fining people for non-attendance

[New Judge]

//The Prime Minister said the most disadvantaged children would have access to tutors through a £350 million 'National Tutoring Programme'.//

As I understand it the vast majority of children have been locked out of school for three months and look like remaining so for another three. So why is it that only "disadvantaged" (whatever that might men) children are being provided with these facilities? Are these the same children who have been failing to do sufficient school work at home:

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-2-3-million-children-have-done-almost-no-schoolwork-in-lockdown-study-finds-12007649

"It also suggested disadvantaged pupils were falling behind their peers with only 11% of youngsters who receive free school meals spending more than four hours a day on schoolwork, compared with 19% of those who are not eligible for FSMs."

Just what is it about the eligibility for free school dinners that makes those recipient children apparently unable to learn in the same way as those who pay for their meals?

The schools closure (or more accuratey, their failure to reopen), is a national disgrace. Their reopening should have been mandated by the government and the head teachers and staff told to make it happen. As I've said before, if the supermarkets had behaved in the same way as the schools we'd all be dead by now.

[dannyk13]

Just on Global news, the teachers unions have welcomed the £1 billion scheme.

[dannyk13]

NJ //Their reopening should have been mandated by the government and the head teachers and staff told to make it happen.//
This is the responsibilty of the local authorities.

[teacake44]

You can but many barriers and objections up for not acting on many problems, and make mountains out of molehills, you can also throw money at such, but sometimes you just have to act, and iron out the problems as you go, the school problem is one that just needs to be acted on NOW regardless. People who keep using the excuse of school holidays starting in a months time, sorry but such holidays have just been taken, 3 months worth, I have to wonder if some teachers are now enjoying their paid time off?

[bednobs]

"with only 11% of youngsters who receive free school meals spending more than four hours a day on schoolwork, compared with 19% of those who are not eligible for FSMs."

In primary school at least i'd be very very surprised if ANY children do more than 4 hours "schoolwork" a day. They are only there for 6 hours anyway, and once you take off lunch, breaks, assemblies, PE and so on there aren't enough hours left to fit 4 hours of "work" in

[dannyk13]

TC //, sorry but such holidays have just been taken, 3 months worth//
Rubbish, it is hardly a holiday having to cope with Covid 19 precautions.

[schoolster]

I work in the Sixth Form of a large secondary school, and at the moment I am emailing students with lessons that they have been timetabled to do. It's been a bit of a nightmare for the staff involved to arrange, what with one way systems around the school, staggered starting times, arranging skeleton staff to coordinate the students when they do come in, and also make sure that they are adhering to the COVID H&S policy etc. and that's on top of the usual work that has to be done. To try to do that for 1700 students would be nigh on impossible.

[schoolster]

'People who keep using the excuse of school holidays starting in a months time, sorry but such holidays have just been taken, 3 months worth, I have to wonder if some teachers are now enjoying their paid time off?'

Are you freakin kidding me?

The naivety of that comment is unbelievable.

[teacake44]

12.10Where there's a will there's a way, is there not?

[teacake44]

12.11 Someone needs to ruffle some feathers, because Boris seems afraid too. You can't be that busy if your on here.

[jim360]

It's the Government's responsibility to organise education nationally. Leaving it down to the schools would be to abdicate that responsibility.

[bednobs]

While I can see where you are coming from Jim, I believe the school should have some say over things.

[jim360]

Some say, of course, but since different schools have different resources then there would be a postcode lottery in the extreme if it were left *entirely* to the schools to sort things out.

[ichkeria]

If the will was there a way would be found.
The tuition scheme is not going to be for everyone plainly

[retrocop]

These are already back.
https://ibb.co/N6jF43r

[schoolster]

'12.11 Someone needs to ruffle some feathers, because Boris seems afraid too. You can't be that busy if your on here.'

I'm have a lunch break if that's alright with you.

[teacake44]

If they carry on trying to find the perfect way back to school it will never happen. It should just be left with each school to do the best they can, with some guidance from government. Just get on with it and stop pussy footing around, with the sticky tape.