AIBU No going back to school I’m furious.

Chardy I think you're right. They won't be resits because the students didn't take the exams in the first place. The only ones who will take the exams are the ones who aren't happy with the grades they've been given by their teachers.

It could be to the advantage of some ex-Year 13s who missed out on university places. However, there are likely to be extra places available this year because approximately a fifth of students have decided to defer because they don't want to have to pay for online lectures.

I lost 8 students overnight when lockdown was announced. They had all been preparing for GCSEs. Two want to continue to A level, so I've been doing preparation work with them. It's been lovely because I've not been limited to the specification and we've done work they've really enjoyed.

Two of my younger pupils have made excellent progress and have told me they don't miss school at all. They've been able to concentrate better and have really got stuck into work which interests them.

Exactly growstuff. Most of my students have enjoyed online lessons. There are a minority that haven't functioned as well with it, but some of that is because they're not participating.

I can't speak for A Levels, but I'm a GCSE (and other qualifications) examiner. I'm on furlough from the exam board all the way through to October. It doesn't sound to me as if there will be any exams anytime soon. Although I'd be happy if there was. Even with furlough, I'm still quite out of pocket.

Teetime

I read that one expert said a child is more likely to be hit by lightening than to contract coronavirus. He went on to blame 'militant teaching unions'. Its a good time to extract more money from the government though which schools have been asking for ages so of course it will be used as a lever. Pity its the children who will suffer but as you say they can go to the zoo.

That is now proved to be untrue. A new study has shown that
school age children and teenagers are about as likely to contract COVID19 as adults but may have very mild symptoms or be symptomless.
They could, however, pass on the virus or some could go on to develop Kawasaki disease.

On average 49 people get hit by lightening each year in the UK.

Scottish schools - "How will the new school term look in your area?" www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53049048
When pupils return to Scotland's schools from 11 August they will experience a new term like no other. From the playground to the classroom, everything will look and feel different. BBC Scotland asked each of the country's 32 local authorities about their plans for 2020/21.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53049048

growstuff
"It's been lovely because I've not been limited to the specification and we've done work they've really enjoyed."
....... marvellous! And therein lies the key to the right type of education. Innovative teaching not bound by a prescribed curriculum, enthusiastic pupils who will take that learning way beyond the classroom because you have made it more interesting for them. It is time for a whole rethink.

Elegran I will watch this return with interest.

In other words they haven't any proper plans yet in most cases.

Wales seems to be the only country which knows what it's doing so far.

But they are working on it. They can benefit from reports of how England and Wales get on and adjust their plans accordingly.

Ellianne That's only possible because I have motivated students, with whom I work on a one-to-one basis. It wouldn't be possible with a class of 30 sometimes disruptive students.

We overlook a school where children of key workers attend. I have to say that it's lovely seeing them out at play. It seems well organised but seeing children of various ages running about, kicking a ball around and just laughing and laughing is very refreshing. They seem so happy and relaxed. I only wish my DGSs could be out having such fun with friends.
There's more to school than learning facts and figures. The social side is vital too. Will we now have a generation of shy kids with poor social skills? Personally, I doubt it, children will be children, but the continued closure could have a long term effect socially for some children.

Term dates are different from the rest of the UK so I have realised the school year ends next week.

Having thought about Scotland's term dates, supposing at the beginning of all this England had said it would make part of June and all July the summer holiday, could the schools have reopened properly then in August? At least children would have received a good few months' schooling before a possible new wave in October/November.

I have been working on some English homework with my grandson and it is more than dire, the stuff sent from school. Enough to put any child off. He and I have migrated into poetry!

A letter from paediatricians today asking for a government plan to open schools. I notice much of the media is headlining it as them saying "schools must open" when in fact they recognise the efforts of school staff and just want a government plan. I hope none of them are holding their breath! www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/open_letter_re_schools_reopening_2020-06-17.pdf

It makes me so angry too. The foster son we care for is classed as vulnerable as has SW and attends special school. His school has not opened so he cannot attend. Now I got a phone call last week asking if we wanted to return to school. I said yes. Then school told me he would not be taught if he went back just child minded. So I told them I would keep him home and teach him myself, being an early retired secondary teacher it is not a problem for me. Unless all children get back to school in September the economy will tank.

Oh well! We'd better prepare for a tanked economy, unless the infection rate in the community comes right down.

The government is already preparing for a tanked economy post-Brexit, so it just needs to bring its plans forward a few months.

The big gap in children's education will begin to be obvious as the doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, entrepreneurs etc retire and their potential successors are playing video games and hoping for a job in McDonald's.
Get education back ASAP. It's been managed in difficult times before. Surely if people put their minds to it it can be done again. The next generation need education and socialisation.

Northern Ireland has reduced social distancing for children and young people down to 1 meter in order for schools to open.

Isn't it time that the rest of the UK to change their guidelines, all children need to be in school learning, socialising and getting back to some sore of normality.

Judging by this thread, If the government are expecting or hoping that the inspiration, enthusiasm and innovation will come from those working in the education sector to bring schools to full operation, then many children will not be returning to school this year.

The education establishment would do well to take good notice of the growing anger among parents in regard to the situation in schools.

Grandad1943

Judging by this thread, If the government are expecting or hoping that the inspiration, enthusiasm and innovation will come from those working in the education sector to bring schools to full operation, then many children will not be returning to school this year.

The education establishment would do well to take good notice of the growing anger among parents in regard to the situation in schools.

Totally agree

Really you can see why teaching is such hard work when you read this thread. Some of your pupils will grasp things quickly, some will need more repetition but some will not latch on, no matter how many times you go over things. Still being teachers we continue to explain, hoping that each time a few more will grasp the point.

trisher, in regard to your post @17:50 today, I believe it is becoming obvious that many more parents each day grasp the point that those in the education establishment have no interest in seeing the Schools return to be fully operating for ALL children.

Along with the above, teachers and ex-teachers "talking down" to all others will most definitely not improve the above.

But I suspect you do approve of people in other industries (such as safety regulations and practice in the road haulage industry) talking down to teachers, Grandad43.