Granddaughter is disengaged from schoolwork

Absolutely agree with cabbie. So sensible and wise. Good for you. Not many of us around.

Must be a nightmare in current climate. One of mine, long before covid, did similar. Three sixth forms, three unis later, he got a first. And a great job followed. Some of them take longer to get there, no matter how much you try to support and encourage. Just keep the faith!
Wish I’d known it at the time. He’s why I’m grey!

It’s difficult, I have 16yr old twin boys who are adopted and one is mildly autist so has a TA. Bizarrely the one who is autistic is really motivated the other one is a nightmare in ordinary times to get up for school. He is amazing at art and really clever but will put no effort in at the best of times despite me being on it all the time. I gave them a chance to work from home - the autistic one logged on all prepared and the other I made sit in the living room so I could check regularly and I found him logged on, sound asleep! Thankfully both qualify to be at school because of circumstance and my work, so after one day I took them in. I’m 63 so it’s a slight risk to me but one I have to take. They are only doing the same classes online but at least they are at a desk and supervised by a TA. I really sympathise about your granddaughter - some are just not mature enough to be self motivated. Let’s hope the vaccine gets us out of this soon!

With her situation I think she should qualify to be in school, I would be requesting she goes in as she needs the extra help.

If she won’t engage with the school’s offering, you might usefully point her towards the Oak Academy lessons. She can access these and work on her own, and they cover the GCSE syllabus in many subjects. They are free for the duration of lockdown. www.thenational.academy/

I took part in an online "Teams" meeting recently.
I had no desire to appear on screen so I taped a piece of paper over my laptop camera. I still showed as registered on the list of participants and I was present throughout the meeting.
Would that work for your camera shy teenagers? I don't know if Zoom works differently.

Thing is I imagine that with best will in the world the online lessons won’t be as engaging as live lessons. You need interaction in the classroom, movement etc.
I do think those who say schools are not providing proper lessons should contact the school concerned.
I’ve heard of kids saying they haven’t got lessons but who are just not turning up for them !

Poor girl, I understand COMPLETELY! I can't go on one of these video calls or whatever they are called. They terrify me to the point of being sick. No reason, it's just a phobia. Add to that your DG is dyslexic, and in not surprised. The school is aware of her difficulties and under normal circumstances would be providing her with support in class. Clearly this isn't possible but there's no reason why she can't try to access the claim a sees with just a little support.
Would she join the class if she couldn't be seen? If so, just angle her screen so t h at she can talk but not be seen, (put a teddy in her place or similar), & could her carer help with lessons?
Whatever the solution, her difficulties should be recognised, and she needs support not criticism

Needless to say, those cameras are not very flattering either

I am not a shallow person at all and I even hate the way I look in those - I am all nose, or forehead, makes your face bigger and rounder than it is...

Dont blame her, tbh

I thought would return with some more positive news I spoke to my GD earlier she had been logged into double math lesson and had turned her camera off she was about to do some math revision via google and sounded quite upbeat and positive about things she asked if she should make a birthday present list of the art stuff she needs so she can add to her portfolio and thought her DT assessment would be on the design and description of the project she chooses. She sounds much more engaged with everything. Thanks everyone for the advice and I hope all of the difficult teens make it through this awful school year.

That's great tanith, thank you for coming back!
She's a very lucky girl to have such a lovely Nan.

Thanks tanith You must be feeling better. Well done both of you.

My son's school allow them to chose whether they show faces on camera or use the mic, if they don't want to they need to join in with typing on chat part at the very least and listen to the lesson. Occasionally his teacher asks one of those who don't have camera or mic a question via the video and they have to respond via typing. It's how they check they are still engaged. He is a lot younger. But I find he puts the camera on for the first few minutes when the teacher is t there to talk to friends then turns it off. He mutes and unmutes the mic depending on what questions he's asked etc.
The work is a little harder to get him focused. He has a meeting at 9-10 then another at 11-12 so while he's still focused I ge think to do one assignment between the two meetings. Then one afterwards while I make the dinner. That just leaves the rest for after dinner. Sometimes 3-4 it's stressful because he'd rather be on holiday s Xbox. Playing games or playing on his scooter, some days it can take all day to get him to finish it. Others hell do them in half an hour