Hearing the words ‘school closures’ so soon after the pandemic isn’t exactly reassuring for children and teens – not to mention parents. Teachers in England and Wales will go on strike across seven days in February and March, meaning some schools may temporarily close. In Scotland, teachers have already begun to strike, with school closures planned to continue until 6 February.

The National Education Union has said that schools will be closed for a maximum of four consecutive days at a time. But, in most cases, closures will be for one day at a time. This means that the disruption will hopefully be easier to manage than the seemingless endless days of the pandemic. 

The good news is that, despite the strikes, there are some simple ways to keep yours and your child’s routine running as smoothly as possible. Here, we share the key dates and information, and what you can do to help keep their education, wellbeing and happiness on track.

Key dates of planned strikes:

1 February: All schools in England and Wales

14 February: All schools in Wales

28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber

1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU’s eastern region

2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London

15 and 16 March: Two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales

Teachers have already begun striking in Scotland, with Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland striking in two local areas per day from 16 January until 6 February. Find out more information about Scottish school closures here.

Source: bbc.co.uk

7 ways to help them through the school strikes

1. Hold onto the same routine

Though it might be challenging, sticking to your teen’s usual timings on no-school days will help to keep their week on track. Encourage them to go to bed and wake up at the same time to keep their sleep cycle the same, and set them up somewhere quiet so they can still focus on studying during school hours. 

2. Talk to your child about how they’re feeling

If we learnt anything from the pandemic it was the power of talking and sharing how we feel. Ask your child how they feel about the strikes, and share a little information on why they might be happening. This will help your child or teen feel less confused and isolated by the situation.

3. Ask their teachers about planned work for strike days

Find out from their school or contact key subject teachers about the work they’re looking to set during strike days. This way, you can work with your teen to plan their workload and stay on target.

4. Make time for them to socialise

Though schools won’t be closed for long periods, it’s important to help your child feel as connected as possible. Encourage them to invite a study buddy round during learning time (if you think they’ll be able to focus!) or have a friend round after school to avoid them feeling lonely.

5. Look to other resources

Without teachers and assistants guiding their lessons, work with your child to gather a set of helpful resources if they get stuck. MyTutor’s free study notes are written by our tutors, or BBC Bitesize covers a range of subjects for children aged 11-16+. If they’re a visual or audio learner, TedEd is helpful for them to dig into specific topics too.

6. Find half term support

Whether because of strikes, sickness or simply if your child needs a boost in a certain area, our group half term courses are a great way to fill in any learning gaps. The added bonus is that learning alongside other teens in this way can help to boost their confidence.

7. Find them a study coach

If in doubt, a tutor mentor can offer 1-1 support and help to keep your child’s education on target. MyTutor tutors know the school curriculum and can double as a study coach to give your child the encouragement and moral support they need – through the highs and lows of learning.

Though the idea of strikes and school disruption is stressful, having a plan and talking openly with your child will help to keep the worry at bay. While it’s important to acknowledge the severe disruption that the pandemic has already caused, it’s also worth reminding ourselves that we’re all more resilient than we think. There are always resources and support to help keep their learning and happiness on track.