The headmaster of a Radlett school is sharing some advice with local parents on home-schooling.
Ben Evans, headmaster of Edge Grove School, is keen for parents to understand that they cannot replicate day to day in school learning, nor should they feel pressurised to do so.
He said: “School closures mean that everyone will have to become used to a new ‘normal’ and that will take considerable adjustment for many families who are balancing their jobs with home schooling support. But parents shouldn’t feel pressured to fill their children’s days with a full timetable of lessons.
“Schools have a duty to support parents with comprehensive computer-based academic plans as well as web-based seminars, which will ensure that pupils are learning and making progress in all subjects.
“My advice to parents is to agree on a regular time for breakfast each morning, encourage your child to be fully dressed and ready to start the day, to get them into the right frame of mind for learning.”
Many schools like Edge Grove are starting every home-school day with an online tutor session for pupils to make contact with their teacher and classmates.
Mr Evans believes this time with peers and teachers is incredibly important for what could be a prolonged period of time.
He added: “Parents should also try to encourage their children to maintain regular contact and dialogue with their school friends in a safe way. This is so important not only for their mental wellbeing, but also in terms of nurturing relationships and enjoying some light-hearted social time together. It’s worth considering that this is also a worrying time for many children who don’t know when they will be returning to school and are looking to adults for reassurance in what is an uncertain world.”
Mr Evans realises that parents need reassurance too.
“Contact your school and get advice rather than worrying at home. Don’t panic or worry, this is not easy for anyone and there is no rulebook on this, we are learning as we go along. So look to the positives and the opportunities to extend your children’s knowledge and to be part of their learning.”
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