'The pandemic was not a break' - Gazette readers have their say on school holidays and returning to class

Both teaching and learning during the pandemic have presented a range of challenges for families at home and staff in the workplace.

Speaking on Sky News, schools standards minister Nick Gibb said the Government wants to support pupils and make sure they don’t miss out on any of their schooling as a result of the pandemic.

Mr Gibb explained that the Government is working on ‘other contingency’ plans, with the intention for all children at school in England to be back in class in September.

Funding will be made available to schools for the start of the new academic year, from a £650million pot.

During lockdown, some have suggested that the school holidays could change to account for time lost during the outbreak, so we asked if you thought the six-week summer break should continue as normal.

Many readers agreed that children have been working hard at home, with teachers going above and beyond to support them both in class and remote

This is what you said on the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page:

Anna Lewis: “I’m a teacher and yes I know children need to catch up and this will be tackled but we deserve a proper break.”

Lyndsey McManus: “Sorry but my kids may not have been in school but they have been doing their school work online from home. My husband has been working from home and I have worked all through this pandemic, think we all need a break.”

Kathryn Davidson Armstrong: “Staff need an actual break. The pandemic was NOT a break for teachers. They were not immune from home schooling their own children, not immune from the fear of the disease, not immune from the stress and worry.”

Kath Miller: “I would say no they already have been at school during recent schools holidays. They’ve done an amazing job so definitely deserve a break.”

Elena Diaz: “I’m so pleased that the vast majority of people are sparing a thought for school staff who have been working flat out (while home schooling their own children) since this all started.”

Jo Mercer: “Please can this all just stop. The kids WILL catch up in their own time. Teachers are experts in making sure this happens.”

Belinda Mcmullen: “The teachers and other staff that have been working throughout lockdown are absolutely entitled to have the six-week summer holidays.”

Ruth Kinghorn: “Definitely should stay open for key workers’ kids at least. The rest of us haven’t had a break either!”

Emma Bell: “I think they should start the holidays early and then bring them back mid-August and bring us in line with Scotland and then they are missing less school but teachers still getting a well-deserved holiday.”

Sarah Hamer: “Keep the holidays, my children are fed up with school work already! And teachers we know have been working so hard to provide work online as well as pastoral care.”

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