MP on the vile online abuse ‘corroding foundations of public life’
I NOTE the possibility that the school summer holiday break could be shortened because of how Covid has affected education.
While I can see some advantages in such a cut to the break, I suggest we weigh up carefully all considerations.
Writing as a retired teacher in comprehensive schools, I can only say that the long summer break kept me sane. The pressures of the job certainly increased from the ’70s onwards and by the end of the summer break (a) I felt, to my surprise, a return of the enthusiasm and idealism I had felt as a new teacher; (b) I had had time to ponder what I had done that worked well in the classroom and knew what was less successful, needing re-planning; (c) with a heavy A-level load of teaching, in one school, I had time over the break to visit libraries (remember them?) to help me plan lessons; (d) I had also been able to plan themes and lessons for the other years – without tackling such a task feeling shattered and trying to finish in time for the next day (termtime feelings).
From the pupils’ point of view, the long break enabled them to enjoy full-time childhood, the ability to meet friends for whole-day fun and exploration and games and, for the older ones, perhaps a chance to take on a part-time job, earn some money and begin to understand working for a living, plus learning more about people and society.
Just because a pupil is not in school does not mean that (in normal times!) they do not benefit from foreign travel, travel to other parts of GB and life in general.
If a shorter summer break is a once-off, OK maybe. But please think carefully before shortening that life-saving summer break which stops many in the profession from resigning or retiring early.
John D Rogers
Nantymoel