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It's the start of the summer term today and with pupils and parents trying to learn from home, today I'm reporting on concerns that the most disadvantaged children are going to be left (further) behind while the lockdown goes on. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-how-lockdown-is-affecting-learning-for-working-class-pupils-11975696
New figures provided to @SkyNews by the Sutton Trust show that before the Easter holidays:
*Just 23% of state school pupils took part in live or recorded lessons every day (polling of 1,500 adults with kids)
*It was 30% for middle class home, and 16% for working class families
*Just 23% of state school pupils took part in live or recorded lessons every day (polling of 1,500 adults with kids)
*It was 30% for middle class home, and 16% for working class families
Today there's a big push to virtual classes, such as the Oak National Academy set up by teachers to provide 180 hours of lessons per week for 4 to 16-year-olds.
The education secretary says free laptops and wifi routers will be given to children in care/with a social worker.
The education secretary says free laptops and wifi routers will be given to children in care/with a social worker.
But @SkyNews has spoken to headteachers who say the "digital divide" is a huge concern.
In some schools 30-40% pupils have no computer at home; many do not have access to a phone or internet.
This doesn't count those sharing one computer with siblings. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-how-lockdown-is-affecting-learning-for-working-class-pupils-11975696
In some schools 30-40% pupils have no computer at home; many do not have access to a phone or internet.
This doesn't count those sharing one computer with siblings. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-how-lockdown-is-affecting-learning-for-working-class-pupils-11975696
For example I interviewed a family with five children, and one laptop at home.
They are juggling it between a 7, 8, 11, 14 and 18-year-old during the day, because they must all submit work online at the end of the day.
They are juggling it between a 7, 8, 11, 14 and 18-year-old during the day, because they must all submit work online at the end of the day.
It's unclear when the Govt scheme will start delivering laptops - councils & schools will identify pupils in need.
Labour MP @SeemaMalhotra1 has set up her own scheme in West London, collecting laptops from the public & biz to provide for at least 1,000 children in local schools
Labour MP @SeemaMalhotra1 has set up her own scheme in West London, collecting laptops from the public & biz to provide for at least 1,000 children in local schools
Peter Lampl of the @suttontrust social mobility charity said weeks off school could have a years-long impact:
"Despite the heroic efforts of teachers... the widening of the attainment gap over these next few months threatens to have negative implications for years to come."
"Despite the heroic efforts of teachers... the widening of the attainment gap over these next few months threatens to have negative implications for years to come."
Kevin Courtney @NEUnion says rethink needed of GCSE & A-Levels next year due to "digital divide".
"Exams just rank all the kids. That could be very discriminatory. We need to think of a different way of organising GCSE and A-levels results so this gap isn't the dominant factor."
"Exams just rank all the kids. That could be very discriminatory. We need to think of a different way of organising GCSE and A-levels results so this gap isn't the dominant factor."
Tory MP @halfon4harlowMP, chair of education committee told Sky News there’s need for a catch up strategy when schools return.
3 x 30min tuition sessions a week for disadvantaged kids would cost govt £700 for 12 weeks.
Says private schools must also do more.
3 x 30min tuition sessions a week for disadvantaged kids would cost govt £700 for 12 weeks.
Says private schools must also do more.
