Brothers try to keep learning at home as uniform as possible

LIKE any normal day, two Vauvert Primary School children have been donning their school uniforms to learn, achieve and prepare for their futures.

Published 1 Apr 2020, 7:20am

Joe, 8, and Tom, 11, Davies have tried to keep home schooling as regimented as they can by wearing their Vauvert uniforms for their lessons at home, with the support of their parents and the school. / Guernsey Press

Eight-year-old Joe Davies and his big brother Tom, 11, have not let the coronavirus crisis get in the way of their future as they have a timetabled day of school at home.

Their mum, Rachel, who works as a graphic designer, said the children have been getting ready as if it were any other school day.

‘The teachers at Vauvert have been great,’ she said.

‘They’ve been using ClassDojo, an educational platform, and sending out motivational videos and even reading stories.

‘I thought on top of this we should set up a schedule for the children to stay motivated, so I sat with them and came up with a timetable.

‘We’ve got lessons, such as one hour of literacy and one hour of maths, and then we’ve got the kids doing PE as usual, going out in the garden to do it – it’s been giving them a routine and they like that.’

Upon hearing about what the Davies brothers have been doing to keep their days running as normal as possible, other children have taken it upon themselves to also do the same.

‘From talking to friends and family, I know these times are challenging,’ added Mrs Davies.

‘After speaking to one of my friends, their son heard their dad talking about it and the next morning they put on their uniform, without even being asked.

‘Children want the routine just as much as we do.’

She added that both her and her separated husband, Pete, who works in the police service, have been doing their part in schooling them at home and it had been going well.

‘I’m so proud of their attitude,’ she said.

‘There’s no pressure on us or them to do this, but they don’t want to be bored while being stuck in and they appreciate what this does for them.

‘The elder helps the younger too and it’s really lovely to see and even though we might not carry on doing the same routine, including them getting dressed in their uniform, it works for now, but it might not be for everyone.’