Parents ‘on their knees’ after home schooling for months

HOME SCHOOLING must be significantly improved if schools are forced to close amid local lockdowns as many parents can no longer take on the teaching role, campaigners say.

Parent-led campaign group Sept for Schools has heard from parents who felt they were “on their knees” after months of remote learning, with many saying they will not do it again.

The group says parents cannot be assumed to be the back-up plan in the event of further lockdowns as home schooling is not achievable for many.

The Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, said the Government cannot “decree” that keeping schools open must be prioritised over pubs during local lockdowns to combat spikes in coronavirus cases.

Mr Gibb has insisted that all children will return to school in England in September, but he said the decisions to enforce closures to prevent new outbreaks will be made locally.

Sept for Schools has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to revise the Government guidance to ensure learning is not compromised in the event of future lockdowns.

They are calling for minimum quality thresholds for remote learning, as well as minimum standards for teacher-pupil interaction, for all schools.

More laptops and wifi access should be given to pupils and physical learning resources should be funded so schools can provide stationery and worksheets to children, the group says.

The group has sent examples of parents’ home-schooling experiences to Mr Williamson.