(no subject)
Florence is at home, ill. This is the fourth cold/flu/virus she has had since New Year, and she has been mostly in bed since last Friday evening. She is still only four; she has been going to school full time since September, and she is, I think, absolutely shattered.
Leaving aside the parents' needs (for childcare, and to share the rearing process viz stimulation, sociability, etc.), is it really good for them to be in school full time? Should they have a day off or a morning off during the week like they do on the continent? Should our school structure allow for more flexibility for those who want it and think their children would benefit from some time at home?
I can think of all kinds of adult reasons why we wouldn't want to encourage a more flexible or part time approach to schooling. But is full time schooling really good for very young children?
My feelings about this may not be very mainstream. My mother was mostly home-schooled, even taking her A Levels at home in East Africa. I was home-schooled for a year of my childhood when I was ill, and even when I was better, my mother would regularly (once or twice a term) take us out of school, with permission, to take us to a gallery or do something interesting with us. As a governor I can see things from the school's point of view insomuch as schools are penalized if they don't meet attendance targets and it must make things difficult for the teachers' planning to have children spending regular time away from school. But I see how many of the young children come to school very tired or slightly unwell, and I wonder whether five days a week schooling is always in the best interests of our younger children.
Leaving aside the parents' needs (for childcare, and to share the rearing process viz stimulation, sociability, etc.), is it really good for them to be in school full time? Should they have a day off or a morning off during the week like they do on the continent? Should our school structure allow for more flexibility for those who want it and think their children would benefit from some time at home?
I can think of all kinds of adult reasons why we wouldn't want to encourage a more flexible or part time approach to schooling. But is full time schooling really good for very young children?
My feelings about this may not be very mainstream. My mother was mostly home-schooled, even taking her A Levels at home in East Africa. I was home-schooled for a year of my childhood when I was ill, and even when I was better, my mother would regularly (once or twice a term) take us out of school, with permission, to take us to a gallery or do something interesting with us. As a governor I can see things from the school's point of view insomuch as schools are penalized if they don't meet attendance targets and it must make things difficult for the teachers' planning to have children spending regular time away from school. But I see how many of the young children come to school very tired or slightly unwell, and I wonder whether five days a week schooling is always in the best interests of our younger children.