It’s nearly time to go back to school, pupils are being told.
The Prime Minister has said a swift return in September is ‘vitally important‘ – and parents are now being urged to shop for shoes, buy new backpacks and grab the stationery kits.
Education facilities are all set to reopen as planned, and for many, this news will come as something of a relief.
Teaching effectively during coronavirus has been like trying to navigate choppy waters in a midnight storm, and both teachers and parents will be grateful for some stability that the school return will bring.
Nonetheless, the disruption of the past six months or so has led to new measures being introduced in schools and colleges.
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These are designed to support any pupils hoping to catch up on missed work, offer children opportunities to resit exams and, most importantly of all, keep everyone in education protected.
Here’s what families should know right now about going back to school.
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Exam resits
Any pupils who ended up with grades at GCSE or A Level they were ultimately unhappy with will be able to retake these tests in the autumn.
Pupils should speak to their teachers/schools as soon as possible in order to arrange resits.
The registration deadline for retaking A Levels is September 4, with resits taking place in October.
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Those wanting to retake GCSEs must register by September 18 (except English and Maths, for which the deadline is October 4) to resit in November.
New assessment for Year 6 pupils
New compulsory assessments are being introduced for all pupils starting Year 6 in September 2020.
Occurring in summer 2021, these tests aim to determine how much learning children have lost due to COVID-19 whilst also prepping them for the step up to secondary school.
The Government commented: “Children and young people have missed a critical period of their education due to schools having to close to the majority of pupils to control the spread of coronavirus.
“It is vital that we better understand the impact of coronavirus on children’s education and give support to schools that need it the most.”
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Classes and curriculum
On its website, the Government has stated that the school curriculum should ‘remain broad’ so that ‘the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including sciences, humanities, the arts, physical education/sport, religious education and relationships and health education.’
COVID-19 measures however are likely to impact a number of classes, and the Government has published general guidance for education facilities on how to keep a full curriculum.
Regarding the subject of PE, which could potentially be seen as trickier to control, the Government added: “Schools have the flexibility to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst following the measures in their system of controls.”
Face masks
Face coverings have now been made mandatory for pupils Year 7 and above in schools in high-risk areas, such as Greater Manchester.
Pupils and staff will be asked to wear face coverings in corridors and other communal areas where social distancing is challenging.
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Trips, clubs and canteens
Educational school trips within the UK are permitted to resume, although schools are being told it is not advisable to stay anywhere overnight,.
After school and holiday clubs are also allowed to reopen.
School canteens are expected to return to a full-scale operation.
Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.