Are adoptees included in the ‘vulnerable children’ category who are eligible to go into school? Expand The strong advice from all UK governments is that, wherever possible and safe, children should be kept at home. In all nations of the UK, provision has been made for ‘vulnerable children’ to attend school where necessary. This includes children with significant additional support needs and higher level special educational needs (those with an EHC Plan in England) and children with ongoing social services involvement. Adopted children are not specifically mentioned in the ‘vulnerable children’ category in any of the guidance. In England, children with an EHC plan are eligible, and schools are advised to carry out risk assessments on a case-by-case basis for children with EHCPs. The guidance also gives schools the flexibility to “support other children who are vulnerable where they are able to do so.”In the updated version of the guidance (published 19th April 2020), this section was amended to specifically include children on the edge of care, adopted children and young carers (see paragraph 5.1, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers). In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, similar provision is being made for children who are considered ‘vulnerable’. Obviously the children of key workers and those whose safety is at risk must come first when prioritising provision in school. We know that this situation will place many adoptive families under considerable pressure. We are in discussions with government about the impact of the Corona measures on adoptive families, and what additional support can be made available.
How will exam grades be awarded now that summer exams have been cancelled? Expand The summer examinations series has been cancelled across the UK but, since education is a devolved issue, each nation is taking its own approach to awarding grades for candidates who will be unable to complete their examinations. England: Grades will be awarded by teacher assessment and schools will be asked to rank students in order within each grade. Appeals are likely to be available only under limited circumstances. Results will be issued on the usual dates. The Department for Education in England is currently holding a consultation on the arrangements which is available for contributions until 29th April 2020. Among other things, the consultation considers the impact of equality assessments on teacher assessment, and whether pupils who were due to complete GCSEs while in year 10 should be included in the grading by teacher assessment arrangements. More information is available on the Department for Education website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exceptional-arrangements-for-exam-grading-and-assessment-in-2020 Northern Ireland: Grades will be awarded by teacher assessment and schools will be asked to rank students in order within each grade. AS Level grades will be awarded, but unlike the usual arrangements, these AS grades will not count towards the student’s final A Level grade. Results will be issued on the usual dates. More information is available from Northern Ireland’s Department of Education here: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-announces-arrangements-summer-examinations Scotland: Schools will be required to submit their teacher assessments of estimated grades by 29th May 2020. This will be moderated to ensure consistency with results from previous years, and taking into account any evidence of prior attainment of students. Results will be issued by 4th August 2020, after which there will be a free appeals process available to schools and colleges. Further information is available on the Scottish Qualifications Authority website here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/93920.html Wales: Grades will be awarded by teacher assessment, and the arrangements have been put in place for students who would have been completing GCSEs while in year 10, as well as those completing AS Level studies in year 12. Qualifications Wales has provided FAQs on GCSEs, AS and A Levels and vocational qualifications on their website here: https://qualificationswales.org/english/coronavirus---covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/gcses-as-and-a-levels/ Home Education: the cancellation of this summer’s examination series will cause serious difficulties for some home educated students. The DfE in England is aware of this issue, and is suggesting that, where students have been using distance learning courses, it may still be possible to award a grade on the evidence available. However, for children who have been studying independently and whose only connection with the examination centre has been to apply to sit the final exam on the premises, lack of evidence will make the awarding of estimated grades exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. In this case, students are advised to contact their examination centres and consider taking the Autumn series of examinations instead.
What are the best sources of advice for helping children with their learning during the crisis? Expand At Adoption UK, we have drawn on the expertise of staff members and others who are experienced home educators to create a growing bank of resources and tips to support families with home learning. On our website, you can find a page of resources for learning and wellbeing here: www.adoptionuk.org/education-learning-resources and we will regularly share resources and ideas across our social media channels. In our forum, we have started two dedicated threads. The first, ‘Resources and Ideas for Families at Home During Covid-19' is for sharing resources and links: https://www.linkmaker.co.uk/forums/topic/99134 The second, ‘Ask a Teacher’ is for crowd sourcing answers to questions that may come up while you are navigating work that has been for your child by their school: https://www.linkmaker.co.uk/forums/topic/99136 We will also be posting regular mini vlogs by our Education Policy Advisor, Becky Brooks (former teacher, home educator, home worker and adoptive parent), and others to support you as you navigate these challenging and uncertain times. Find these on YouTube and shared across our social media channels. On 20th April, both BBC Bitesize and the DfE-backed Oak National Academy launched their educational provision services. BBC Bitesize learning activities can be accessed via the BBC Bitesize website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize and daily 20-minute programmes for each age group are available on iPlayer (search for ‘Bitesize’) Oak National Academy is offering daily lessons in a range of subjects for children from 4 upwards here: https://www.thenational.academy/
What should (English) schools be doing with PP+ during this time? Expand We’re right at the end of the financial year. The next tranche of PP+ funding (which schools receive for their adopted children) is due to be released soon. Schools are currently overwhelmed sorting out distance learning and looking after their most vulnerable pupils. When things are more settled we will be able to help them think about how to make best use of PP+, for example by ensuring all adopted children have the right equipment at home, and that their families are supported to do trauma-informed home learning.