On 8 March, schools and colleges across England returned to the classroom. Now, a week in, I am looking at the effectiveness of the government’s newest COVID testing alongside the Department for Education catch-up scheme. Students have been learning from their homes for the best part of a year and a lot has changed for them.
It has been one year since Covid-19 took hold of the world, and life in England is only just changing. This week, my mother took her Covid-19 test on Sunday night before laying her uniform out, ready to step back into face-to-face teaching.
Online teaching is being left behind, and that is a relief for many teachers. However, the fear of increasing Coronavirus cases remains a risk.
“Between 8 March 2021 and 14 March 2021, 39,918 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows a decrease of 4.9% compared to the previous 7 days.”
“Between 11 March 2021 and 17 March 2021, 39,655 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows a decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous 7 days.”
The trend is positive for England but this week could see missed positive cases increase. Last week, the school informed my mother of one case in her year eight class. Initially, this was a fright, but because of new seating plans, only a handful of students have to isolate.
Lateral Flow Testing
Teachers and students are being encouraged to take two lateral flow tests every week. However, the worry is that some won’t do it as it is not compulsory.
I ran a poll on Twitter aimed at current students to find out whether they will take part. The poll shows that the majority, 79.6% of students, will be self-testing.
Some explained their answer in the comments:
“I will 100% take the test from home. It will keep others safe and I think it would be selfish not to”, Jack, 18, London.
“I believe the COVID testing system in schools is being well organised in the interest of our safety and education”, Freya, 18, Cheshire.
“Yeah absolutely. Don’t see any reason not too. The college I attend has undertaken brilliant planning to get this set up and I feel it’s a very minor task to be asked to do, that if it can keep teachers and peers safe is well worth doing”, George, 18, Nottingham.
The Department for Education’s ‘Catch-up’ package
Digital poverty, disruptive environments, and a lack of parental support have been key factors affecting remote learning.
A 75% attainment gap identified in disadvantaged pupils is worrying. It could take years to mend this gap, putting the future of our young people at risk.
The Government has launched a programme, however, to bridge the gap and help disadvantaged pupils catch up with their learning. Their £700 million package will focus on supporting all children who have fallen behind.
Early years are to receive one-to-one and small group tutoring, whereas in primary and secondary schools, a onetime payment will boost pupil premium funds for each school to use where needed.
I believe the scheme has all the right intentions, but I fear the government is putting money in a pot with no clear direction of use. The extensive gaps in our young people in learning will take communication and delegation before any action should take place.
The UK’s Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said in a statement about catch up plans that “I know that longer-term support over the length of this parliament will be vital to ensure children make up for lost learning. Our Education Recovery Commissioner, Sir Kevan Collins, will engage with teachers, school and college leaders, and families over the coming weeks and months… developing our longer-term plans.”
Education Recovery Commissioner
Mr. Collins has also spoken out, suggesting that he will work closely with the sector and schools. There have been rumours that summer school and extended school hours are being introduced. For me, this seems unrealistic and my initial thought is, who will deliver extra school hours and summer school?
It is not yet clear to whom will lead extra provisions but it could be teachers that are being expected to. Teachers, who have set holidays, have worked throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, learning a new job from home and committing hours of extra work, ensuring that students are safe. After a year of tiring change, our teachers deserve their allocated break and a rest.
Another important question to consider is whether students engage with catch up lessons, especially the summer school suggestions.
Furthermore, the possibility of summer school feels unfair and exposing. Students shouldn’t feel this anxiety, but I understand how crushing being singled out might feel.
I hope the ‘Catch-Up’ package continues with intricate thinking, putting our students’ current thoughts and their future’s first.
Heather Davey
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay via Pexels. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.
