Return children to school in the same year that they left

My suggestion is that when children return to school, they return in the same year that they left. This will reduce the pressure on parents to maintain an unrealistic level of schooling during lock down when they might also be working. It also gives a bit more freedom on the time that we have for children to go back to school without "falling behind". Additionally it would enable the transition pupils some time to transition in a more typical way.

I think this could provide some additional benefits:
- teachers could be freed from delivering homeschooling in such an intense fashion during lock down and instead be called on to collaborate on the issue of vulnerable children falling through the cracks/not attending hub schools
- once back in school teachers would not have to worry about how to catch the children up/all of the logistical challenges of moving the children up a year as well as settling them back in and reestablishing a routine
- children and parents would not have to worry about "being behind" and can instead focus on mitigating the psychological effects of this period

My idea does have some knock on effects:
- educational policy would have to be changed so that children start school a year later (on account of there not being space for P1 in the coming year)
- modifications to childcare provision for early years would need to be accommodated and funded in order to facilitate this later start of schooling across the board
- support would need to be provided to allow working parents to remain at home until school does eventually return
- accommodations would have to be made around those children who had planned to take exams this year - again maybe a task force of teachers could collaborate on this
- there would be no intake for university in autumn 2020 - I don't know what funding problems this would pose.

Why the contribution is important

Essentially to provide some space. Space for everyone to manage lock down without worrying about children's education suffering, space for teachers to consider the best way to reintegrate everyone into school, space for a longer time away from school if needed (should it prove that we cannot relax restrictions until we have a vaccine).

Additionally I think there might be benefits to children starting school later in general.

by DrLJC on May 10, 2020 at 05:57PM

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Average rating: 2.7
Based on: 15 votes

Comments

  • Posted by miaod1111 May 10, 2020 at 18:37

    I understand the thought process behind this but the kids had finished the syllabus before schools finished and really it was revision and exams they missed. To repeat that year in full now would lead to repetition and I think demotivate then as well as have a knock on impact on when they can leave school. Instead they may have to look at delaying the exams next year by a month and putting more focus on coursework than exams.
  • Posted by cazmcnally May 10, 2020 at 18:59

    I completely agree, this is essential to education.
  • Posted by mummywebb May 10, 2020 at 20:49

    Nonsense and don’t use this forum to further your own agenda regarding starting school at an older age. If school are providing adequate home schooling and if this government actually desires to safeguard children and their education and get them back as soon as is safely possible then there is no need to repeat the year. My daughters both started school at 5.5 and there is no way I would want them repeating a year. And no intake of university students will almost certainly bankrupt universities .... Let’s not sacrifice one national institution for another please
  • Posted by Louise33 May 10, 2020 at 21:29

    This would work for those due to set nat 5s next year. Everyone is so focused on this years exams but next years will be far more affected with the reality being 1.5 terms to cover syllabus before prelims in nov/dec (in our region) P7s have had no transition for high school and this can not done at start of the year....
  • Posted by Hamiltoes May 10, 2020 at 23:21

    My child had only just begun to be settled into primary one, so I would support this.

    My oldest was P5 when lockdown started so no real need to repeat the year... but I do think it would be hugely beneficial for the younger one to do so. She has regressed so much over the weeks. Scared of her own shadow. Irritable, emotional, angry. I worry about how she will settle into P2 after the summer.
  • Posted by Glasgowresident May 11, 2020 at 09:01

    Having spoken to my three children, I think this would be demotivating for our young people. My twins have missed their NAT 5s, but have taken this on board and are now working towards higher. My other child is in P6.

    Why not ask those who were are making a decision for? I think the mental health implications Of Covid19 for our young people are big enough, without adults making decisions without their input.
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