School term

Accept that schools are very unlikely to return soon and bring the school holidays forward by a month, ie instead of the break being (approx ) July and half of August, make the break June and half of July. This would potentially give a period of roughly 9 weeks before pupils would return to classes thereby giving more time for the R value to decrease further. However, it would not result in a reduction of teaching time for pupils.

Why the contribution is important

Gives clarity of position.

by BSB on May 10, 2020 at 08:06PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.3
Based on: 13 votes

Comments

  • Posted by jennyw May 10, 2020 at 20:18

    Why not.

  • Posted by KJF May 10, 2020 at 20:24

    I like this idea but teacher TUs are too strong and have too much sway over what happens within education.

  • Posted by Cheryl May 10, 2020 at 20:31

    This looks okay on the surface but school term dates would need to change throughout the year (Mid term breaks, October week etc) would schools always close 1 June for six weeks, how do we get back to normal term dates?

  • Posted by KSTEPHEN May 10, 2020 at 21:05

    I completely agree with this comment.
    We are all trying to homeschool but if you are a key worker or working from home it is very difficult. The less school time lost the better.

  • Posted by Louise33 May 10, 2020 at 21:22

    Great idea. Would give high school pupils more time to prepare for prelims next academic year

  • Posted by Col May 10, 2020 at 21:28

    Sounds great.

  • Posted by GillG May 10, 2020 at 21:44

    I understand that teachers are doing their best to manage their safety and new demands of online learning but this idea makes sense, the children have had very little interaction with their friends or teachers . Those in the exam phase may have been adversely effected and deserve optimum opportunity to redress that next term . If this can’t be achieved standards and expectations will have to drop, parents are not equipped to teach and perhaps work at home simultaneously in unsuitable surroundings

  • Posted by cbellat May 10, 2020 at 21:59

    Good idea, but I bet teaching unions would try and block. A lot have only been working limited hours at home.
    Those who have been looking after key worker children need recognition and extra holiday though.

  • Posted by SAR May 10, 2020 at 22:11

    Makes some sense but I would prefer to wait in the hope that my kids can get out over the summer instead of being stuck indoors.
    Start the hols early when we’re still in lockdown and spend 6 weeks at home is not going to work for my family.

  • Posted by Auntyshooshoo May 10, 2020 at 22:37

    Teachers have been working continuously throughout this pandemic. This has included Easter holiday - and highly likely summer holiday. Now a suggestion of changing summer break is ludicrous. At this stage we don't know what the next step in education is going to take so our teachers need to be fully equipped to deal with what lies ahead - a change in the academic year by 2 weeks will have absolutely no impact on the long term impact on education.

  • Posted by ElizabethATurbet May 10, 2020 at 23:00

    Given the findings of the Sutton Trust report, highlighting that two thirds of children are not engaging with online learning, closing schools in early June would be the most sensible course of action. The attainment gap will widen and greater input will be required if schools remain closed. By mid July, surely the R number will have decreased and progress will have been made. Yes, the school term will have to be adjusted, perhaps with additional holidays in September or October, but surely that is manageable and preferable than the current situation?
    And as all those in education know, we must get it right for every child.
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