Calls for pupils to repeat school year after learning time lost in lockdown Some parents feel their children have lost so much education they should start the year again Updated Some parents are calling for youngsters to repeat the academic year (Image: PA) With the majority of pupils home learning amid the pandemic, some parents are calling for children to repeat the school year. Thousands of youngsters across Greater Manchester missed vital classroom time before Christmas, when they had to isolate following confirmed cases of the virus among classmates and staff. Since the holiday, they've been remote learning once again after the Prime Minister took the decision to close schools to all but vulnerable and key worker children from January 5.