Are adoptees included in the ‘vulnerable children’ category who are eligible to go into school? Expand The advice from all UK governments is that, wherever possible and safe, children should be kept home. All nations of the UK have made provision for ‘vulnerable children’ to attend school where necessary. This includes children with significant additional support needs and higher level special educational needs, and children with ongoing social services involvement. In England, the guidance on ‘vulnerable children’ who may be offered a place in school specifically includes adopted children and children on a special guardianship order: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#vulnerable-children-and-young-people Guidance in Scotland does not specifically mention adopted children, but gives local authorities, schools and health boards latitude in identifying children who may benefit from attending school or who need additional support. In Northern Ireland, the guidance on vulnerable children specifically includes adopted and previously looked after children: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/weir-sets-out-plans-education-provision The definition of ‘vulnerable’ children in Wales does not specifically include previously looked after and adopted children. However, the list of included children is not intended to be exhaustive and schools are able to offer places to other children who are identified as ‘vulnerable’ or disadvantaged: https://gov.wales/guidance-supporting-vulnerable-and-disadvantaged-learners-html
How will exam grades be awarded now that summer exams have been cancelled? Expand There have been cancellations and changes to the summer examination series in all nations of the UK. However, detailed plans on what will replace exams are yet to be finalised. In England, the Prime Minister has said “it is not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer as normal” and has stated that the education secretary will work with Ofqual to put in place an alternative. The education secretary has announced that students will be given teacher-assessed grades without the use of algorithms, but exactly how this will work is yet to be confirmed. In Scotland, National 5 exams and Higher and Advanced Higher exams have all been cancelled. Students’ grades will instead be based on teachers’ judgements of evidence of attainment. GCSE and A-Level exams have been cancelled in Wales and it is proposed that students will undertake assessed tasks instead, although the details are not yet finalised. In Northern Ireland, GCSE and A-Level exams have been cancelled and education secretary, Peter Weir, has stated that alternative plans will be confirmed before the end of January. We do not yet know what arrangements will be made for private candidates (e.g. home educated students).
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 2020, 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’) For 2021, the BBC will also be offering educational programmes daily on CBBC and BBC2 to support those who may have limited internet access. There will be programming for primary-aged children on CBBC each morning, and for secondary-aged children each afternoon on BBC2. 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 All forms of Pupil Premium, including PP+, are designed to reduce the attainment gap caused by disadvantage. In the case of adopted and previously looked after children, the relevant disadvantage is related to adverse early life experience, care experience and the impact of that on cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. During partial school closures, PP+ should continue to be used to overcome this disadvantage and raise attainment, but schools may choose to be more creative in how it is used, especially if it was previously being used to fund provision that is no longer available because of Covid-19 restrictions (e.g. extra-curricular activities, 1-1 support). For instance, children may need to be provided with additional equipment to support learning at home or at school or may benefit from specific interventions and small group (online or in person) support academically, socially and emotionally. Parents and guardians should contact the Designated Teacher at their child’s school if they have any questions or suggestions about how PP+ is being used.