Did you know that Children want is to get back to school sooner rather than later?
All Piers says he wants to do is go to school every day. He does not even want a holiday - just school, school and more school. But Piers, who lives with a form of autism, has not been able to finish the final year of his maths GCSE full-time in the classroom with his friends and teachers because of lockdown. "I really love school," said the 18-year-old. "It's my favourite thing." But Piers, like some of his friends, has only been in class one day a week. And so here is presenting a few facts on how children are eager to get back normal school life in UK after having lived a period of abnormality.
Children missing physically attending school:
The head teacher at his south Wales school, for children with special educational needs, says that while missing large parts of their education has the "biggest impact" on children with additional needs, school is a "safety net" for both pupils and their families. And how Piers, who also has learning difficulties and sensory issues, has missed being in the classroom and around familiar faces. He candidly states that "I don't want a holiday at all this year,”. He added that "I just wanted to go to school every day. I only get to do one day a week as it is my final year."
The shutting down of schools has affected mood of children:
The shutdown of school has affected the mood of children severely. As Piers, who lives in Monmouth says "I'm not able to go out and my mental health is deteriorating," He continues I've been very upset and sobbing every day. I've a sweet tooth and wanting to eat lots of chocolate”. Piers' story is one of how a student with additional educational needs is dealing with the uncertain challenges of a global health emergency.
The reason why shutting down of schools has made children wanting to get back to it soon:
"School for some of our children is the safety net, not only for the children but for the families," said Bethan Moore, acting head of Crownbridge Special School in Cwmbran. "Sometimes it's just a bit of respite for the children to come to school." About 20 of Crownbridge's 116 pupils have been going into school during lockdown while the rest remain at home and have been offered remote learning. "It was kind of annoying at first, with the mask and because of Covid you can't do things," added Piers' school friend Amy, 19, who is also studying for a GCSE in maths.
While there are limited numbers of children coming into school, they also provide opportunities for their pupils to learn from home, whatever their needs. Teacher Bethan Stokes has teenagers Elliot and Shay in class doing some sensory maths by singing a song about numbers and asking them to use a fly swat to splat piles of cream with different amounts of cherries on the top.
