Jump directly to the content
HOME (SCHOOL) TRUTHS

Two teens say they’ve learned NOTHING in lockdown and are desperate for schools to reopen

 

BEFORE lockdown, Finn Clyde was always up at 6am for school and was in the top sets of his classes.

But since schools closed in March, the 13-year-old has turned his back on learning and spends all day playing on his Xbox in his room.

⚠️ Read our UK schools reopening live blog for the latest news & updates

 

Finn, 14, pictured with mum Kerrie, 38, spends time in lockdown on his Xbox
4
Finn, 14, pictured with mum Kerrie, 38, spends time in lockdown on his Xbox

Finn, of Carmarthen, South West Wales, says: “I don’t feel motivated to do work because I don’t always understand it.

“I don’t find it fun like it is at school and I’d rather socialise online with my friends. It’s just easier than trying to do the school work.

“It’s a way of escaping from everything.

“I’m worried the teachers will be disappointed in me because I haven’t done enough work.

“I’m worried I’ll fall behind and have to resit the year when all my friends go on.”

And he is not alone. A study by University College London revealed that two million children have done barely any schoolwork at home.

‘I can’t give 100 per cent’

Since March, around 20 per cent of pupils have done none, or less than an hour, a day. And just 17 per cent put in more than four hours a day.

Finn’s mum Kerrie, 38, a former secondary school teacher, admits she only ever sees her son at meal times.

Single mum Kerrie admits she couldn’t make Finn do homework
4
Single mum Kerrie admits she couldn’t make Finn do homework

The single mum, who also has daughters Imogen, 11, and six-year-old Elodie, has found it hard to juggle home-schooling with working full-time as a social worker.

She says: “When lockdown started I thought I’d be able to manage, especially because I used to be a teacher.

“I was really motivated and ordered lots of stuff on Amazon to help. I think because the kids could see I was motivated it rubbed off on them.

“But as time has gone on it’s become more difficult and challenging. I can’t give 100 per cent to my job and 100 per cent to teaching my kids. It’s just not possible.”

Now Finn usually gets up around 10.30am, has breakfast then switches on his games console — and stays up until midnight.

Kerrie says: “I tried to get Finn to do schoolwork. With not enough computers for me and the kids to work, I even set written work for him.

“But I couldn’t make him do it, no matter how much I encouraged him.” As we report today, more than 1,500 child health experts have signed an open letter to Boris Johnson demanding the Government publishes a clear plan to get all youngsters back to school as soon as possible or “risk scarring the life chances of a generation of young people”.

The letter, organised by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, warns children are “suffering enormously” from a lack of access to exercise, vaccinations and mental health support.

Home (school) truths

2m have done under an hour’s work a day

1,500 experts warn PM it will ‘scar a generation’

This is par­ti­cu­larly concern­ing for Clare Cashion, 43, when it comes to 14-year-old daughter Libby.

Clare, a civil servant from Worcester, who is also mum to Ollie, 16, Lochlan, four, and two-year-old Cullann, says: “Libby has gone from being a  hardworking student to a changed character, so I do worry about her wellbeing.”

Clare, 43, says her daughter Libby, 14, has become a changed character
4
Clare, 43, says her daughter Libby, 14, has become a changed character

Libby now stays awake until 4am and usually gets up at about lunchtime. Instead of doing schoolwork, she spends most of her time talking to friends on social media.

She says: “At first we didn’t know what we were supposed to be doing, and because there wasn’t proper work or anyone to check your work and because you can’t just ask questions, I didn’t want to do it.

“When I did do it, I didn’t get any feedback, and then my friends would tell me they hadn’t bothered, so I just thought, ‘What’s the point?’.

“I’m a huge worrier and I am concerned about falling behind, but I’d rather stay up and talk to friends on my phone. That’s when everyone is online.

“Mum tries to make me do more schoolwork but it doesn’t work. There just doesn’t seem much point at the moment. 

“I’d just like to go back to school.”

In a report last month, government advisory body Sage warned lockdown had caused a “shock” to kids that will last the rest of their lives and affect work opportunities.

The report also confirmed the risk of children catching coronavirus was “much lower” than adults.

‘It’s a lot easier with a teacher’

Yesterday, MPs on the Education Select Committee accused teaching unions of running a “disgraceful political campaign” to keep classrooms closed by “cherry picking” evidence to make parents fear schools are “death traps”.

Chairman Robert Halfon asked: “Can you explain why parents and children can have access to Primark over the coming weeks and months but not to schools?”

Libby and Clare can't wait for schools to reopen
4
Libby and Clare can't wait for schools to reopen

For Libby and Clare, it will be a big relief when schools can reopen. 

Clare says: “School has now started online lessons, so one week they’ll be live, and  Libby has taken part in some, but the following week it’s just emails and sometimes they have to cancel.

“I think Libby struggles with not knowing exactly what’s expected.”

Finn is just as desperate to get back in the classroom.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

He said: “I really want to go back to school because it’s a lot easier to learn in a classroom with a teacher explaining the work, and I miss my independence.

“I’ve found it really difficult being at home this long.”

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.

To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.

Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.

Three-quarters of US families need a digital detox after self isolating

GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

Topics