Should the school day be extended? Teachers don't think so
The majority of teachers don't think school day extensions are necessary to help pupils catch up
The majority of teachers do not think that extending the school day or length of term is necessary to help pupils catch up on missed learning as a result of the pandemic, a survey has found.
It comes after the Secretary for Education confirmed that changes to the summer holidays and longer school days had not been ruled out of the recovery plan which aims to help pupils make up for time missed in the classroom.
However, a survey carried out by the National Education Union (NEU) found that just 2% of teachers, school leaders and support staff thought that extending time in the classroom was important in supporting pupils impacted by the loss of in-person teaching.
Instead, four in five of teachers thought that educational institutions should be given the flexibility to decide what was important for the wellbeing and learning of their pupils.
Sport and creative learning important for pupils' recovery
Two in three teachers think that sport and exercise and increased creative and practical learning are important in helping get students back on track.
The Government has announced £1.7 billion of "catch up" funding for schools in England, as well as summer schools for pupils in greatest need of support.
However, 68% of the 10,700 NEU members surveyed believe the Government should focus on reducing levels of child poverty to help support the recovery of those children most impacted by the pandemic.
"Little appears to have occurred at the Department for Education"
Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “Learning has continued throughout lockdown, although precious little appears to have occurred at the Department for Education.
“The message is clear: we need to steer a course beyond Covid which rights the historic faults of the education system in this country and the distorted priorities of those who run it.
“If the Government is serious about building back better, then they should take on board these views.
“Education professionals have been on the frontline, either virtual or physical, throughout the last 12 months and it is their insights on what has worked best that should be taken forward.”
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