DS1 constantly being called out of class to make statements

[Revised]

DS's school has a good reputation for discipline, part of this seems to be that they thoroughly investigate every "incident".

DS seems to be getting called out of class approx. once a fortnight to make a statement over something he's witnessed. Once it was where a friend has punched him in the stomach over a dispute over the score in a game of badminton. One punch, no-one hurt, all over as far as the boys were concerned, no retaliation from DS. 28 boys had to write a statement over that.

The others have all been situations where he had no involvement at all. In today's fight he says he doesn't even know the names of the children involved but he was in the vicinity, so he was called out of class this afternoon to make a statement.

I have two concerns. Firstly, is he getting called in so often because he is at least a bit involved, or has got himself involved with a bad crowd? I don't think so really, his friends seem to be a nice bunch and the school have never been in touch with me over his behaviour.

Second - he's missing a ridiculous amount of school. The last 15 mins of German today, but it's part of one lesson or another every couple of weeks.

Is this normal, or OK?

[Revised]

Sorry, should have said, he's year 8

[toolatetobed]

My son is in Year 8 and talks to me a fair bit about school. I am not aware of him or any of his friends ever having been called out of class to make statements of the kind you describe.

[creamteas]

My DCs school take statements as part of the disciplinary investigations. Sometimes they get called out of class, it all depends on when the staff member investigating is free to deal with it.

I can understand your frustration, but these type of statement were essential to my DC's welfare in school. One was was seriously hurt (head wound needing stitches) and another who was subjected to low level bullying.

By taking statements about every incident, the school had enough evidence to take appropriate action. The perpetrators were permanently excluded.

[SpeedwellBlue]

I can understand your concern about him missing lesson time. On the other hand its good that they are taking incidents seriously and investigating them. I think punching someone in the stomach is quite bad. It could be dangerous and i would want it taken seriously. If they investigate thoroughly they can deal with it more effectively. Perhaps ask if they could avoid him missing lesson time though.

[Revised]

Thank you.

Yes I understand that the statements can be important but really, so many? e.g in the case where DS was punched they called in everyone who was in the changing rooms at the time (28 boys) and yesterday's incident, everyone in the quad was called. Can it really be necessary to have so many views?

[Rideronthestorm]

If they speak to every child no child can be called a "grasser" by the others because they won't know who said what. Just a thought.

[DeWee]

I don't think once a fortnight is that bad really. I thought you were talking about daily.
If he tends to be in the main playground and is known to have a sensible and failry unbiased head on him, that's firstly a compliment to him and secondly it means they're taking things seriously.
I think talking to all who saw it is often a good idea because those close often are friends of one or the other people involved, so can't be expected to necessarily keep a clear head.

When my dd was knocked over (silliness rather than malicious) I was very grateful for those who were not involved but were prepared to say what they saw. If it had been just her word against theirs/their friends, then I don't think the school could have dealt with it fully, she also was reluctant to talk about it, so the witnesses were very much needed.