Education Surviving the summer slide By Janet Sherlock, Leaders are Readers
Summer holidays bring excitement and adventure. Students look forward to their days off, knowing the long months will offer respite from their school year. What they do not understand is that whilst those days may relax and energise, they can also stress them academically. Summer learning loss, also known as the summer slide, can occur quickly during the summer. Recent studies published through a management tracking information system utilized by over 22,000 schools throughout the UK, indicate many students can go an entire summer without even picking up a book. This can be extremely detrimental to a child’s learning progress. When children mentally go on holiday for the summer, they are often at risk of losing one to three months of education with some dropping behind by as much as two to four national curriculum points. These students enter the classroom in the autumn term significantly behind their classmates. This makes it challenging for educators to meet the needs of their students. As a parent though, you have the ability to minimise that academic loss. Support learning at home Learning begins in the home but parents do not have to be educators to support that learning; you can do so by extending your children’s summer activities. Have them find a book about the play they are studying at drama camp. Participation in a summer football or rugby camp can be turned into a journaling activity. Maths can be practised through a trip to the grocery store. Turn any experience into a learning opportunity.
Support learning through the library Reading is arguably one of the most important components of your children’s education. Local libraries present opportunities to participate in reading programmes, group discussions, or other literacy events. Use your local library to find grade level appropriate books and activities. Support learning through summer programmes Sometimes though, children need more support than can be received at home. Between your work hours, a lack of resources or simply not knowing where to focus, you can be overwhelmed. If that occurs, reach out to an established summer school programme. Learning is directed in a setting with real, live teaching, as opposed to in front of computer screens, and in small classes that allow your child to receive individualized instruction. Enrolling your children in a vibrant and authentic programme may be the perfect opportunity to revise learning from the previous school year, extend learning and prepare for future challenges such as entrance exams. Janet Sherlock is head tutor at Leaders are Readers, the award-winning Saturday and Summer Schools. www.leadersarereaders.co.uk
International swim meet for city schoolgirl A Chester schoolgirl qualified to swim at an international meet in Cardiff in June after her intense training regime paid off. Isabelle Anwyl, 12, from near Holywell, and a pupil at The Queen’s School, Chester attended the Cardiff International Open swim in June representing Flintshire. The Queen’s School pupil has already achieved two golds, two silvers and a bronze at the Swim Wales North Regional Championships in February, with breaststroke being her favoured stroke. But Isabelle has not rested on her laurels and even continued to train while on holiday in Antigua with her family this Easter where she took part in a two-mile open water swim called ‘Sharkbait’. Izzy said: “I’ve always loved swimming and have been competing in galas since I was eight years old. Swimming enables me to meet new people and visit new places.
Isabelle before the ‘Sharkbait’ swim in Antigua
I love to train with my team mates but by far the best feeling is getting a new personal best time. Fitting my swim training around school work can sometimes be tricky but the plus side is that I don’t have time to get bored!” The Queen’s School (Senior School) is holding an open day on Monday 8 July. Open to girls in year 5, the activities day will include sampling various lessons such as science, ICT, cookery, Drama and even Mandarin. Apply online, or call the Admisions Officer. 01244 312078 / www.queens.cheshire.sch.uk
Let your child be the teacher Do your children enjoy playing school when they are home? Perhaps with siblings or soft toys? If so they are sure to love the role pay game ‘Playteachers’ created by local teacher Frazer Moyes. The game is aimed at children aged 4 – 10 years and lets them create their own mini classroom with a huge supply of props such as a register, behaviour cards, timetable sheets, certificates, stickers, whiteboard and pen plus much more. Frazer’s own two children love making up their own lessons with the props; as have children Frazer has taught in school when the game has been used as a bit of fun through wet playtimes. ‘Playteachers’ is a shift away from the electronic games and a step back to the traditional game that encourages a child to use their imagination. The packs can be purchased online at www.playteachers.com/shop.html or for information on local stockists email info@playteachers.com.
12 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk