Pupils have become less anxious during lockdown school closure

I totally agree with you Luckygirl I am not the slightest bit surprised by this finding.

Sometimes our education system seems that it is being designed to deliberately take all the enjoyment away from learning.

I hope that the experience of this pandemic will be taken as an opportunity to re think how we do lot of things, including education our children, to work towards a better system, and not be afraid to change.

That's interesting Luckygirl. Certainly not every child is cut out for the classroom and anything that can reduce the current stresses of education, particularly for adolescents, must be welcomed. I like the idea of imaginative, spontaneous teaching. Stuff the split diagraph nonsense my 6 year old GD was trying to master last year. We don't want to turn them all off school by the time they are 10, it's too late then.

One of my granddaughters aged 14 loved not being at school. She was well organised and did all the homework set by the school in good time. It left her free to do her work outs, cooking and helping her younger brother aged 10 to do his school work. On the other hand, her older brother aged 16 was very miserable and as a result did little school work.

I think then, it totally depends on the young person concerned. Some thrive and others really suffer.

Split diagraphs. They used to be called magic E that changes the sound of the vowel. Apparently Gove decided to change the name. It’s just making life more difficult for little ones to understand our language.

I imagine there is some truth in it, I think I was less stressed in some ways in lockdown (I am aware I was one of the fortunate ones) no commute, no getting everyone up and out for school, no rushing to activities, etc.

It s completely the opposite in my opinion teens I know have struggled with working at home Some have had to share computers with younger siblings some have had to shut themselves in their bedrooms while parents are working in other rooms The lack of social life (even school has a social side) has been dispiriting and very bad for children we are not made to be loners
University has been totally messed up for those older teens no freshers weeks no going round visiting No proms, no end of school group photos, so very much missing that will never be retrieved for these poor young people

I would like to know what teenagers they spoke to I do know some that have loved it as they ve been out at the skate park and beach every day
I think the wording is important less anxious, less anxious of what? less anxious of school work, less anxious of bullying less anxious of Covid itself by being at home

I think it’s depended on your outlook on life. I don’t think we can ever generalise about anxiety and it’s causes.

I’ve come across frustration and relief depending on the students particular mindset. I’m sure adults working in school have been likewise in their experience.

Split digraphs. They used to be called magic E that changes the sound of the vowel.
How have I got to my age without hearing about them?!

I've just looked them up and they are not what I thought they were. I'd assumed they were something like Greek or Latin dipthongs.

Our children have been far less anxious and enjoyed their long time off school. It's when they all start that the anxiety and tantrums start, they don't enjoy it one bit.

I'm guessing the minute the uniform comes out of the wardrobe and those clompy school shoes are produced, there will be meltdowns. Hopefully the thought of going back to school will be worse than the actual deed for those who are anxious. Teachers will have a tough job on their hands.

The home learning that the children have done has been freed from these edicts and has been more imaginative; and more like real education.
That may be true of younger children, but Year 10 teenagers are tied to a GCSE syllabus which doesn't leave much room for imagination. My GS, 15, told me one day that he had done 14 pages of maths and he was asking me about Macbeth. His school didn't give them nearly enough work to get their teeth into whereas his quite academic GF, who attends the local Girls' School, said that they had far too much! Parents working from home, as DS2 has been, couldn't spare much time to help out. As far as I can see, younger GS, 12, has had very little work sent on line and is a child who really needs help and support. DS2 has done his best but lacks the special skills needed as does his partner who is out at work all the hours God sends. Sadly, I am too far away to be any use.
Teachers have been freed from the requirement to provide endless statistics and have been able to use their imaginations and professional skills to make learning more interesting and stress-free. Really? I'd like to see the evidence for that.

I don't think that many parents are cut out for engaging their children in home schooling.

I don't think that many parents are cut out for engaging their children in home schooling.
And neither should they be quizqueen. It can destroy the relationship between the parent and child at home.

The children I know who were able to go to school, either as children of key workers or when their school year was allowed to return, without exception, loved it.

The children I know who were able to go to school, either as children of key workers or when their school year was allowed to return, without exception,lovedit.
That's good to hear eazybee. Many of those children really enjoyed school because the teaching was less formal and more relaxed than usual. They were allowed to play outside as much as possible and do practical activities. This confirms the OP's feelings about the current school curriculum.

My Y10 GS had three days in school during which the teachers mainly had to try to bring students up to date with their GCSE work. GS was quite annoyed that some of his peers had not attempted to do even the small amount of work set and had to be brought up to date. Yes, he was pleased to be back in school but the few days were not enough.

It is interesting to try and unpick the reasons behind these results. I hear what Bluebelle is saying about some older teenagers feeling more anxious; but I do wonder whether this was because they missed school itself or were frustrated by the absence of social contact with their peers.

But I am aware that teachers have been freed from the data- gathering that rules their normal lives at school and this can only be a good thing. Teaching needs open thinking, not the closed thinking behind data collection.

I am aware that some grandparents have had different experiences of schools' responses to home learning - I have GC at 3 different schools in different parts of the country and their schools have been absolutely diligent in providing work, as has the school where I am governor.

I know I am not qualified to comment on this thread.........but I have 3 school aged grandchildren 14,12 and 10 . Only one of them is desperate to get back to school . The other 2 hate school although they are both very bright children. 2 have had a little contact with their school and one has had none whatsoever .

Much as I hate Gove he can't be blamed for split diagraphs they came in with the National Literacy Strategy under Chris Woodhead. Strangely enough children love them, particularly when you play a game where 2 are the diagraph and 1 is 'e' and parts them.

I know I am not qualified to comment on this thread......... "qualified" doesn't mean you have to have passed examinations in education gillybob to comment. I'd say life's experiences qualify you just as much as anyone else.

I would add bullying to the reasons many pupils have preferred to be at home. It's a problem every school hides and denies, but I'm willing to bet that there isn't one school in the land where there isn't some degree of bullying.

I accept that some pupils have found lockdown very difficult, but apparently thousands pf parents have de-registered their children from school and will carry on with home schooling.

I^ would add bullying to the reasons many pupils have preferred to be at home. It's a problem every school hides and denies, but I'm willing to bet that there isn't one school in the land where there isn't some degree of bullying.^
That is so very true, and sadly is happening at a younger and younger age. Any school which says it doesn't have any bullying is lying. I sometimes heard teachers say they knew there was bullying going on, but didn't realise the negative effect it was having on the child. That is a disgrace, children can't deal with it on their own.

Strangely enough children love them, particularly when you play a game where 2 are the diagraph and 1 is 'e' and parts them.

Unless it's The Aeneid I haven't a clue
And that was a long time ago too.

Lockdown, home education and social isolation has meant different things for different people whether old or young. . According to her dad one of my grandchildren has enjoyed being able to “freely embrace her inner geek” i.e. she worked hard and genuinely enjoyed producing good quality work with no fear of sneering from her peers.