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1/20
In The Guardian today John Harris writes about the need for creativity in education in response to the crisis caused by the current government and the pandemic.
I have some thoughts...but I am NOT an expert so keep that in mind. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/03/england-children-schooling-pandemic-schools
In The Guardian today John Harris writes about the need for creativity in education in response to the crisis caused by the current government and the pandemic.
I have some thoughts...but I am NOT an expert so keep that in mind. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/03/england-children-schooling-pandemic-schools
2/
The first thing to say is that for Primary aged children the risk from Covid, including the new variant, appears to be, again, minimal.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said this just a few days ago...
The first thing to say is that for Primary aged children the risk from Covid, including the new variant, appears to be, again, minimal.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said this just a few days ago...
3/20
However...many "young people" in the Secondary setting are not "young" but "young adults" aged 16-18. From personal experience in that setting many are contracting the virus, spreading it & are not compliant with requests for face masks, hand cleaning or social distancing
However...many "young people" in the Secondary setting are not "young" but "young adults" aged 16-18. From personal experience in that setting many are contracting the virus, spreading it & are not compliant with requests for face masks, hand cleaning or social distancing
4/20
This puts other young people at risk in school, of course, but it poses a threat to the safety of the myriad adults who work inside of schools too. How large that threat is isn't something I am qualified to discuss...but a threat exists.
This puts other young people at risk in school, of course, but it poses a threat to the safety of the myriad adults who work inside of schools too. How large that threat is isn't something I am qualified to discuss...but a threat exists.
5/20
For my part I take immunosuppressant medication which leaves me more susceptible to infection. Social distancing and high standards of hand hygiene and classroom cleanliness are crucial for me to at least feel safe. I am not alone in having a chronic condition.
For my part I take immunosuppressant medication which leaves me more susceptible to infection. Social distancing and high standards of hand hygiene and classroom cleanliness are crucial for me to at least feel safe. I am not alone in having a chronic condition.
6/20
If it were up to me?
I would change the way school operates at secondary level.
* Half the number of pupils in the senior phase who are in school at any time. This would make social distancing easier and cut the number of contacts for positive cases.
If it were up to me?
I would change the way school operates at secondary level.
* Half the number of pupils in the senior phase who are in school at any time. This would make social distancing easier and cut the number of contacts for positive cases.
7/20
* Pupils would remain in one location during the day with teachers moving to them for teaching. This might mean the loss of practical subjects/P.E but this would only be a short term measure. This again reduces the number of contacts.
* Pupils would remain in one location during the day with teachers moving to them for teaching. This might mean the loss of practical subjects/P.E but this would only be a short term measure. This again reduces the number of contacts.
8/20
* Pupils at home would be given work for that time when they were in school. This ensures that those pupils who do not have access to a device/internet have work to do and are not disadvantaged. It also stops teachers having to do two jobs!
* Pupils at home would be given work for that time when they were in school. This ensures that those pupils who do not have access to a device/internet have work to do and are not disadvantaged. It also stops teachers having to do two jobs!
9/20
* Primary schools to remain open with continued use of outdoor learning where possible and with, as Harris suggests, the possibility of using larger spaces such as theatres/leisure centres to make social distancing easier.
* Primary schools to remain open with continued use of outdoor learning where possible and with, as Harris suggests, the possibility of using larger spaces such as theatres/leisure centres to make social distancing easier.
10/20
Moving forward Covid should have made us re-examine everything we do in schools.
Most especially the near cult-like fascination with tests of memory being seen as some sort of measure of how intelligent or capable an individual is or how well suited they are for a career.
Moving forward Covid should have made us re-examine everything we do in schools.
Most especially the near cult-like fascination with tests of memory being seen as some sort of measure of how intelligent or capable an individual is or how well suited they are for a career.
11/20
Brian Caplan's excellent "The Case Against Education" looked at the value of a University degree and discovered (surprise, surprise) that it doesn't really have any value!
We have to think about different ways of teaching and of assessing understanding...
Brian Caplan's excellent "The Case Against Education" looked at the value of a University degree and discovered (surprise, surprise) that it doesn't really have any value!
We have to think about different ways of teaching and of assessing understanding...
12/20
The notion that sitting in a hall for two hours trying desperately to regurgitate information they were "taught" six months ago is a good way of determining your suitability for a career is...nonsense.
The notion that sitting in a hall for two hours trying desperately to regurgitate information they were "taught" six months ago is a good way of determining your suitability for a career is...nonsense.
13/20
Ongoing assessment, work placements, apprenticeships, encouraging entrepreneurship, STEM, lowering the school leaving age, home learning for those who want to do it...
Ongoing assessment, work placements, apprenticeships, encouraging entrepreneurship, STEM, lowering the school leaving age, home learning for those who want to do it...
14/20
That in 2021 we are doing things exactly the same way as we did in 1951 (minus the physical violence towards children) seems...ridiculous.
Crucially the sort of creativity and change required must come from parents/children/teacher and not from the govt or a quango.
That in 2021 we are doing things exactly the same way as we did in 1951 (minus the physical violence towards children) seems...ridiculous.
Crucially the sort of creativity and change required must come from parents/children/teacher and not from the govt or a quango.
15/20
If I can return to Covid and schools for a final thought...
I understand why parents are afraid/worried...I am too. I don't know how safe, or otherwise, schools are. But, sadly, ALL the governments have done nothing to convince me that they do either.
If I can return to Covid and schools for a final thought...
I understand why parents are afraid/worried...I am too. I don't know how safe, or otherwise, schools are. But, sadly, ALL the governments have done nothing to convince me that they do either.
16/20
That is unforgivable.
My suspicion is that, here in Scotland at least, the decision will be made to close all schools until the end of January (at least).
My focus will be on ensuring my own child remains safe, healthy and happy throughout that period.
That is unforgivable.
My suspicion is that, here in Scotland at least, the decision will be made to close all schools until the end of January (at least).
My focus will be on ensuring my own child remains safe, healthy and happy throughout that period.
17/20
Teachers have still had no meaningful training or support for "blended learning" other than being told to put materials on Teams. That has increased workload and does nothing to help pupils/families who cannot access those resources.
Teachers have still had no meaningful training or support for "blended learning" other than being told to put materials on Teams. That has increased workload and does nothing to help pupils/families who cannot access those resources.
18/20
That means you (parents) should do what you can do.
Encourage your children to access those resources if you have the means. If you do not then encourage reading, creative writing (keeping a journal even), drawing, watching documentaries/biopics, cooking...
That means you (parents) should do what you can do.
Encourage your children to access those resources if you have the means. If you do not then encourage reading, creative writing (keeping a journal even), drawing, watching documentaries/biopics, cooking...
19/20
...getting outdoors for exercise; anything that isn't just playing on the games console or sleeping!
A vaccine is here and it will get to us all...we just need to get through this next month or two. I genuinely believe that the most important thing right now...
...getting outdoors for exercise; anything that isn't just playing on the games console or sleeping!
A vaccine is here and it will get to us all...we just need to get through this next month or two. I genuinely believe that the most important thing right now...
20/20
...is that you keep your children safe and happy. Learning can take place across your lifetime...allowances will be made for the children who have been adversely affected by this crisis.
Hold them close, tell them you love them, spend time with them.
Good luck.
...is that you keep your children safe and happy. Learning can take place across your lifetime...allowances will be made for the children who have been adversely affected by this crisis.
Hold them close, tell them you love them, spend time with them.
Good luck.
