Longer School Days for Primary Schools
Longer school days for students and parents is officially on the cards and could become a reality in the UK education system. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said changes to the school calendar were being revised by the government’s catch-up tsar Sir Kevan Collins. This may mean a long-term restructuring of the school year and the introduction of a fifth school term.
The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stated in an interview with inews: “There’s been discussion about five-term years. It’s right to have that discussion, look at the evidence and make an assessment as to what are the best options, about how we can really drive children’s attainment in schools, especially children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.”
The main aim for this is to help children catch up after several lockdowns due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The idea of this happening is raising concern among parents, mainly that it may affect children’s mental health and summer holiday plans.
Will children benefit from longer days at school?
The proposals discussed are “evidence-based”, meaning that they’ll only introduce them if it proves that they’ll benefit children. It could also positively impact children with disadvantaged backgrounds.
What is surprising is that The National Education Union has agreed and said it was open to fresh thinking on the school year. In many previous propositions, The National Education Union disagree and often fight what the government propose.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) ‘s director Julie McCulloch, had stated that:
“There is, however, substantial evidence to suggest that some children, particularly those from more disadvantaged backgrounds, may benefit from holidays being spread more evenly across the school year. Fresh thinking on how to support children whose education has been severely disrupted by the pandemic is welcome, including reviewing the structure of the school year.”
However, it is relevant to add the McCulloch said that the reform needed to be “considered as a possible long-term change, and not rushed in as a knee-jerk reaction to the current situation”.
This is the parents’ main concern; everything is being rushed because of the current situation. Some people feel the government is acting on impulse, and parents have zero control over what will be happening next.
Whilst it is important for children to catch-up in subjects such as maths and English, we should consider that children across the country have had a very turbulent year. Is it really fair on them to take away their school holidays too?
We looked at the current research that says that it will be good to change the UK education system to five terms.
The benefits of introducing longer school days?
The long summer holiday can be detrimental to children’s learning.
Research has proven that pupils often struggle with remembering the skills and content taught in class after only six weeks off school.
Disadvantaged children will have more of an opportunity.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected disadvantaged children drastically as they have been unable to access the same tools as their peers. This initiative could help children catch up on time that has been lost.
England’s education pattern is outdated.
The school year’s current pattern had not been reviewed in England since compulsory attendance in 1875. Education has advanced in so many ways and should be looked at.
Childcare
Many parents struggle with the idea of having such a long school holiday, especially working parents. More often then not, they need to take time off or budget for ‘summer school’.
Maths and English Catch-up
This can really help children catch up on time missed on essential subjects such as Maths and English.
Disadvantages of extending the school day
Overworked Teachers
According to the Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, the pandemic has hit hard on many teachers, piling fresh pressure on teachers.
“Any proposals to change term times or holidays will need to consider that teachers already work more unpaid overtime than any other profession and that excessive workload is the reason that many teachers and school leaders leave teaching,” he said.
Stressed Students
Some parents argue that children have been through a lot the past year; piling on extra work or keeping them in school could cause detrimental results, especially mental health.
Short Notice
Many families often plan their summer, especially now that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given the green light that summer will resume. Going back and saying that children will be in school has resulted in anger and frustration from parents.
What’s the alternative to longer school days?
It is understandable from the government’s point of view that they need children to be catching up on work that they have missed over this pandemic. It is also understandable that parents and teachers may disagree with this current change as it could affect them directly.
Online tuition could be a possible avenue to explore, as it can help children progress and “catch up” without the pressures of going back to school and sitting in a closed classroom on a lovely summer day.
Think Academy UK offer flexible schedules to help your child catch-up on work whilst enjoying their holidays. Better yet, parents can now sign their child up to an interactive summer maths course, supporting children to reach their full potential in maths whilst boosting performance at primary school. If you’d like to learn more, click here!
Think Academy UK offers that extra focus to identify your child’s learning gap whilst making it fun and enjoyable. Our product provides children with virtual rewards such as fun stickers. This is to acknowledge the correct answer and effort and participation. Our tuition can offer a peer learning environment that makes it less intimidating and more enjoyable, enabling children to learn with other students of a similar ability.
