THE ever-changing situation in schools, with pupils experiencing a year of disruption, has left everyone wondering 'what next'?

Vulnerable children and those of key workers can go to school but many have been in-and-out due to Covid outbreaks, while others learn from home.

Many families, however, are still unable to get online due to a lack of devices and internet connectivity. 

Schools standards minister Nick Gibb said he is “open to all ideas” on how to help pupils catch up with schoolwork missed due to the pandemic.

The Northern Echo wants to hear what you think - what is the best way to help children catch up?

Asked whether he preferred the proposal of extending the school day or shortening the summer holidays, Mr Gibb told the Commons’ education select committee: “We just have to leave no stone unturned in making sure that we can help those young people catch up from the lost education.”

Last week, the Prime Minister appointed Sir Kevan Collins as the education recovery commissioner to oversee the Government’s catch-up programme.

Mr Gibb told MPs: “He will be looking at all these ideas and potential proposals for how we can ensure that young people catch up.”

He added that further details on how the extra £300m fund for catch-up will be allocated will be announced “shortly”, but also suggested the funding was not rigidly tied to only academic tutoring.

Ministers should focus their attention on providing schools with enough funding so they can provide quality catch-up support for pupils rather than “policy gimmicks”, a headteachers’ union has said.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said speculation about longer school days and shorter holidays to help children was “misconceived and unhelpful”.

But with many of you being parents, juggling children who are learning from home while you are working from home, what do you think?

You have watched first-hand children in your family struggle or thrive in a home environment, so who better to put forward ideas on how children could catch up. 

Would your child stay engaged during long school days, complete more homework or prefer to go to class through summer? Let us know in the form below.