If it would help I would delay my vaccination to get children into school.

Bloody hell only got a couple pages in and read about older people having nothing more to offer (or something along those lines!) I'm in my 60's, working, helping with childcare and helping older neighbours with shopping etc. My AC are working and oldest gc is still in nursery when not with GPS. I still have a lot to offer and have worked hard all my life to get to my work position and to be able to enjoy non work time. Selfish or not I can't wait for my vac although will be a while yet. As for children not catching up, some countries children don't start school until 6-7 and they do better than UK so I'm sure most will catch up.

Re education x totally agree with you growstuff well said.

growstuff

Ellianne

All lower classes should simply repeat the school year that began last autumn when things return to normal.
That is one suggestion grandetante but what do we do about all next year's Reception children who are due to start in September? Do we make the age of entry to school rising six? I can't see parents being very happy to sit around for another 12 months before their child starts.

Some children are almost a year older than others in the same year group anyway. I don't think they need to repeat a year. Any half-decent primary school teacher can adapt to children at different stages.

There is absolutely no reason set in stone anywhere (apart from the national curriculum) that children at a certain age should be able to do x, y or z. I think parents have become obsessed with those progress books they are given when a child is born stating that a toddler of 12 months should be able to do certain things. Real children aren't like that.

Your last paragraph is so true, different children, different sexes, different backgrounds and individuals' different ways of working all contribute to being able to do things at very varied ages.
The awful SAT's were set up to ensure that schools were enabling children to progress at a "normal" rate and were there to test the schools, not the children - but the result has been an awful pointless competitive trial for children and teachers rather than schools.
I'm convinced that children won't be harmed by "missing" a year of school. They will (hopefully) be learning different things at home and can learn what they need to when they return to school.

I actually think that in the majority of cases children will not suffer from missing some schooling. They will catch up when it is safe to do so. Surely they will benefit from having quality time with their parent(s) who are usually at work and having no time when they get home. This time to me is more precious.

All school staff with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality and those over 50 are already in one of the priority groups.

I think it would be only fair to vaccinate teachers before the schools open again. And I'm not sure how sensible it is to vaccinate first, us older ones who can stay at at home. I'll be glad to have my vaccine, but if I could I would give it to my teacher daughter if she has to go back into the classroom.

I’d happily give up my place in the queue to someone younger who was vulnerable,or a younger person who has to go out to work.

I would gladly gift my vaccination to my son-in-law who has a severe heart condition. He is 45 years old and deserves to prolong his life longer than I do.

I can’t say I’m really worried about my elder Gdcs missing out, but then they’re only 4 and 5, so in reception and year one.
In some countries more formal education doesn’t start until they’re 7, when their brains are presumably that much more ready for learning.

overthehill

Deedaa

My son in law sent me an article by a woman who went to Australia as a 13 year old after having no schooling from the age of 8 because she was living in Bosnia during the war. She arrived speaking no English and at 33 she has a university degree and a good career. It can be done.

?? Should this be somewhere else

No.
It should be here. It's follows the thread and comments made by easybee and lucca.
“ Education is as important as life itself; these children cannot make up the lost time”
"Do you know I think they could. It’s not ideal but possible."

I picked up what education I had missed out in the early 1960s. I started to study again at the age of 29 up to O and A level standard. Then at the age of 32 I took an Hons Degree (2.1).

Bluebelle
How fortunate in your view and in your own words, To have had your life ?Life is full of experiences and if there be the oportunity to observe my grandchildren grow up and make a success of their lives, then I want to be there.

No worries wouldn't mind a teacher or health worker having mine.

Vaccines are not licensed for children.

Gwyneth

Lucca I am a retired teacher myself so I’m not ‘teacher bashing’ as you state. However, I do know from colleagues still in the profession that not all teachers are as committed as you suggest. Those who still are working with the children of key workers etc yes I agree but others are definitely not providing marking and feedback that is satisfactory. This observation came from a friend who is a department head in a large secondary school. It would be interesting to ask parents whether or not they found the educational provision during lockdown satisfactory.

I'm sure you know as well as I do that there always some teachers who claim that nobody else in the school works as hard as they do. I expect every organisation has similar people.

If they are going to go hell for leather and vaccinate as many as possible over the next 12 weeks, does this mean that if you haven't had your vaccine by the end of March you will have to wait until at least July? And so on ..... January 2022 for older teachers?

Not that I have been called yet but even though I have several health problems and so has my husband we would prefer all front line workers including supermarket staff to be vaccinated and then people who are required to go out to work and are not able to work from home. We both feel having retired and at the moment being able to get a delivery slot for our groceries that we can more or less shield so are less likely to be exposed to the virus. I feel at 69 nearly 70 that my life is far less important than someone younger trying to feed a family. Just my opinion and I don't expect other people of my age to have the same view.0

Who is teacher bashing Iam64? Schools are closed to all except the children of key workers and those who are vulnerable or did I mishear the Prime Minister yesterday?

We don't need teacher bashing. Schools are not closed. They are open, providing face to face for the children of key workers and the vulnerable children. The vulnerable who don't make it in to school get phone calls and home visits to make sure they're as ok as possible.

I'm with lemon grove and others who say the way the vaccine is being given is probably the correct procedure. Older people who have complex health needs are more likely to be hospitalised and overwhelm the NHS. To say we older people don't contribute is disgusting. Most people in their 80s didn't have easy lives, worked hard and deserve the best care we can give them now.

Many of us in our 70's were the backbone of free child care, continuing to contribute. I was told to shield so haven't been able to do that since March. I also have scarcely seen my loved ones. Bring on that vaccine.

Lucca I am a retired teacher myself so I’m not ‘teacher bashing’ as you state. However, I do know from colleagues still in the profession that not all teachers are as committed as you suggest. Those who still are working with the children of key workers etc yes I agree but others are definitely not providing marking and feedback that is satisfactory. This observation came from a friend who is a department head in a large secondary school. It would be interesting to ask parents whether or not they found the educational provision during lockdown satisfactory.

I'm with Lemsip, the sooner the better! I feel as if time is suspended until we're all vaccinated. I don't know why the army isn't deployed already, while the nhs gets on with their daft form filling.

Not a popular opinion with everyone as you will doubtless find out.

Not a popular opinion Sarnia, because it wouldn't achieve the aim many think it would. Many posters have explained this already in this thread.

Don't get me wrong. I'm well aware that many children benefit from school in many ways which have little to do with academic achievement. They won't ever be able to "catch up" on the lack of socialising and I know some families will find it more difficult than others to provide an alternative - often through no fault of their own. That's why I think there should be additional founding (as was promised) for pastoral mentors for this group of children. I was reading the contributions to a teachers' forum over the weekend. teachers were discussing what they would do, if a lockdown were announced. Many said they would set some work at the beginning of the week and then spend most of their time ringing/emailing parents to find out how pupils were getting on and offering support. Obviously, that's very time consuming, which is why I think it would be helpful to have other people involved.

trisher

Just that really. I know my risk is higher but I'm reasonably healthy and staying safe, so if it would help I wouldn't mind teachers and older children being vaccinated before me. It might help save some children's education and let the exam years get more support. What do others think?

I posted a similar thread on the coronavirus forum at the end of December. It makes sense to me to vaccinate those who can get education and the economy up and running again. Not a popular opinion with everyone as you will doubtless find out.

Gwyneth

Why not reduce school holidays this year to help children ‘catch up’. If the teaching Unions care so much about education surely this has to be a consideration. Schools closed until half term and then we have half term! Why can’t Easter and Summer holidays be shortened this year?

Gwyneth I feel sure you must have read time and again that teachers are not on holiday !! Schools are open to many vulnerable children, teachers are conducting zoom lessons and sending out online lessons, having the work submitted to mark etc etc
I really thought we’d stopped hearing teacher bashing.

Why is it on the few occasions I put pen to paper, it's almost an essay?