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Primary education

Assembly - Reception

10 replies

PoppetUK · 17/01/2011 17:37

Just wondered if it is standard for the head to tell kids off in front of everyone if they are fidgeting in assembly.

When I was doing a little work as a TA (not very experienced I might add) it was the teachers job to keep her class in check and the TA might also just give a gentle reminder to kids if needed. It was in a totally different culture where kids only went to assembly once per week rather than 5 times per week.

DS has come home today and self reported (with a bit added from year 2 dd) that he was pulled out by the headteacher in assembly. Reading between the lines he picked up his friends hair clip from the floor to give to give it to her because he didn't want her to be sad and I think he was asked to put it down and then he started fiddling with his glasses. I think the head moved him and then he was made to sit and wait (with everyone staring) so the head could tell him off. I asked if he had explained to the head what he explained to me (rather upset that he's that his friend would feel sad) and he said he was just told off.

I was going to openly ask his teacher what happened. I may be over reacting but it did sound like a bollocking in front of everyone. He's only 5. He will bounce back I'm sure but I'm after views so please tell me to chill out if I am reading into this all way too much.

Thanks in advance

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WonderingStar · 17/01/2011 17:45

no idea if it is standard, but it shouldn't be. I was hauled out in front of the whole school (probably only about 80 kids! but anyway not the point) at lunchtime one day when I was 4 or 5 for some transgression which was pretty minor. I had to stand to one side, bawling my eyes out, while everyone in the school filed out past me having a good look. I have never forgotten this Sad Angry.

I would be having words if I were you!

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Chaotica · 17/01/2011 18:17

I'd be having words. I don't know if it's standard either. Probably depends upon the head.

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montymum · 17/01/2011 18:28

Reception children really shouldn't be attending assembly 5 days a week! Whoever leads our assembly will move children if they need to but wouldn't tell them off in front of the rest of the school. As you said I'm sure he will bounce back quick enough but it may well be worth checking school policy on reception children attending assembly.

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Littlefish · 17/01/2011 20:34

My dd was told off in assembly in front of the whole school when she was in Reception. It was by a teacher leading the assembly, rather than the headteacher.

I consider it completely inappropriate to publically humiliate children in this way. I am a teacher and would never behave in this way.

When it happened to my dd, I went to see the headteacher and expressed my concern. She agreed with me and had a quiet word with the class teacher.

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PoppetUK · 17/01/2011 21:27

Thanks for the responses.

I really didn't think it had bothered DS too much but I think it might have.

I still can't be sure what exactly happened. I thought I would ask his teacher tomorrow.

I've tried to get some more info out of the DS and DD. It seems like he was pulled aside before the kids filed out and was then made to sit by the head until everyone had gone and then asked to stand before being spoken to. Either way he certainly was made to feel it.

Certainly feeling a bit flat about bloody attitudes towards children at the moment. I know it's my stuff but having a bit of reverse culture shock coming back from overseas!!!!

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medoitmama · 17/01/2011 22:20

I would definately go straight to the Head and ask exactly what did happen. Let her know you are concerned and not scared to confront her without being confrontational (if you know what I mean?!)

Doesn't sound like he did anything wrong and like you say, he's only little.

Good luck!

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Smithagain · 17/01/2011 22:30

I visit my children's school to lead assemblies (work for a church).

At our school, the Reception children don't attend assembly at all for the first two terms. And then they attend once a week, for the "celebration" assembly.

It's not unusual for a teacher to move a child who is fidgetting - or have a quiet word with them - during the assembly. They are quite strict about sitting very quietly and still. More strict than I would be left to my own devices! But I've NEVER seen a child singled out. Possibly kept behind afterwards for a talking to after the others have gone - but not in front of the rest of the children. And that would only be if they were properly messing about.

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PoppetUK · 18/01/2011 11:25

I spoke to the teacher this morning. Basically she didn't see what had happened but DS must have fiddled whilst in line because that's when he got pulled out. She said it was rather unfortunate that it was right at the end because the head was being hot on looking forwards and sitting still yesterday. She did seem a lite I expressed that I felt for DS that he was made to sit next to the head with everyone staring at him. His teacher seems very nice and I am certain she wouldn't have done this. I also said that DS didn't have any opportunity to explain what he was doing.

Hubby and I have decided that we won't raise it with the head at this time but will keep and eye. It doesn't stop us from speaking to DS. The good thing is that both class teachers for our kids seem to be doing a good job with and they are normally very happy to go to school.

For info i found out reception children attend a 10-15 minute assembly each day.

Thanks for listening

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PoppetUK · 19/01/2011 11:32

Well I was going to drop it totally but DS seems to be pretty angry about it all. When I went into school this morning I asked the TA (teacher busy) if he'd been ok at school because he was expressing some anger. She said she was there and he was chatting and you know that really isn't allowed. He was excited because the topic was from the country we've just moved to. Of course I said I didn't have a problem with him being told off. I decided that because other parents were around I didn't want to get into it. My issue isn't with him being told off I just think to pull a reception kid out even if it is at the end of assembly and sit him next to the head whilst everyone files out is a bit harsh. Am I really just being over protective???? Time to move on from it I guess. Hopefully DS will be happy to go to school tomorrow and not be so cheesed off.

Poppet

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PoppetUK · 19/01/2011 11:32

Well I was going to drop it totally but DS seems to be pretty angry about it all. When I went into school this morning I asked the TA (teacher busy) if he'd been ok at school because he was expressing some anger. She said she was there and he was chatting and you know that really isn't allowed. He was excited because the topic was from the country we've just moved to. Of course I said I didn't have a problem with him being told off. I decided that because other parents were around I didn't want to get into it. My issue isn't with him being told off I just think to pull a reception kid out even if it is at the end of assembly and sit him next to the head whilst everyone files out is a bit harsh. Am I really just being over protective???? Time to move on from it I guess. Hopefully DS will be happy to go to school tomorrow and not be so cheesed off.

Poppet

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