Derbyshire Times readers do not think that schools should be open this summer for children to catch up on missed lessons

Most pupils have had significant chunks of 2020 filled with remote learning rather than in school teaching. One suggestion from England’s Children's Commissioner, Anne Longfield, was that school holidays should be used to catch children up with lost lessons.

We asked our readers if they thought that was a good idea.

Hayley Bennett, said: “No way!

"When would the teachers get a break?”

Heidi Bates agrees she said: “Teachers deserve a rest and many children have been working so hard during this time, and even if they haven’t they will feel the effects of the past year for a life time.

"Give them a break.”

Stephanie Walton says that children need to use the summer holidays to relax.

She said: “Children have not only lost out on learning, they've lost a year of childhood.”They need to have a summer of day trips, holidays, seeing friends, seeing family and having fun!”They aren't robots.”

Jacqueline Howe thinks an alternative approach might be better.

“I think they should all repeat a year,” she said. ”Hopefully they can eventually have some fun in the summer holidays because they won't have had any proper fun for well over a year.

"Then they can hopefully return to school in September mentally prepared for learning.”

But Laurie Elliott disagrees.

She said: “Many parents have used a lot of their annual leave entitlement already covering lockdown and the other holidays.

"They should stay open for key worker children so those key workers can carry on at work and not worry who is doing to look after the children.”

Parent Sarah Toplis said: “Personally I feel a few days at school in the holidays would benefit my youngest child especially.””She is a August child so started school very young and I feel she is struggling educational anyway and the lack of school teaching has delayed her even more.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.