We can’t afford to waste teaching time in virus recovery battle

IT’S such a simple change – but one that could have a profound impact on education outcomes for pupils in the wake of Covid-19.

Many readers might still remember the countdown to the school summer or Christmas holidays – the air of lassitude that would settle on classrooms, the lack of focus, the sense of treading water.

One classmate of mine nicknamed it the “dead zone” and my own memories are filled with hazy images of the low-budget Hollywood movies that I and fellow pupils were often given to watch as everyone awaited the term’s final bell.

But add up all of those hours over successive years and you’re talking about a significant chunk of learning time that simply isn’t used.

As he works to ensure Clifton Hall’s recovery from the pandemic,

Rod Grant has, quite rightly, decided that his school can’t afford “dead zones”.

His plan to reform calendar dates would lead to shorter terms and more frequent holidays.

Crucially, the 10-week teaching marathons that often leave staff and pupils exhausted would be a thing of the past, meaning higher average energy levels and, it is hoped, enhanced learning from the start of term until the very end.

Also consigned to history would be the wastage associated with an extra-long summer vacation that causes many, particularly younger children, to lose knowledge and skills they have built up over the previous school year.

If we are to move the Covid recovery debate on from discussions about cramming in more class contact time, such wastage is not an option. The proposals for Clifton

Hall offer one possible way forward.