Teacher kept whole class in at lunch time can she do this...??

[rainbowface]

I mean obviously she can do this because she did but do you know what Im getting at? My ds (age 8) came back today and said that the whole class was kept in for the lunch hour(it wasnt wet play) as they had not done things like underline things etc ie, according to him it wasnt for any valid reason. They dont get a break in the after noon so they would only have had their morning one. We are new to this school so dont know whether to make any fuss or not....I certainly dont want to make things difficult for him in the classroom, but does anyone else think this is not on?

[DisasterAreaIsOffToCostaRica]

yes butthen she'll have to deal with 28 children who will be bursting with opent up energy all afternoon - therby 'creating rob for own back ha ha'

[Soapbox]

I would complain - no way would I put up with it!

Whole class punishments and keeping in over breaks and lunches, are I believe a big no no in teaching land!

[cthea]

Sounds quite strict. DS has never reported being kept in at lunchtime (apart from the few times he got detention).

[iamdingdong]

over reaction from teacher out of her depth I'd say (as a teacher myself)

[AbbeyA]

I wouldn't do it myself, but the teacher is perhaps having difficulties and is being very strict at the start. I would just let it go as a one off but have a chat with the teacher if she does it a lot.

[constancereader]

Is the teacher newly qualified?
I did this once as an NQT, I regretted it instantly. But once it was said I had to stick to it, I was never so hasty again.

I would wait to complain if it happens again.

[rainbowface]

Yes I thought it seemed a bit OTT. Apparently she has actually been off for most of the last few terms on long term sick, dont know whether that could be linked? My first thought was to have a word with the head, but as I said I m unsure whether this could backfire and she might take it out on my ds later somehow.

[iamdingdong]

I wouldn't say anything yet as if she's been off she may be struggling to readjust, but if it happens again, esp if its soon, I'd have words with the head

[SqueakyPop]

There is a little bit of exaggerating going on here.

No way would a teacher keep a whole class in for the entire lunchtime for not underlining!!!

[rainbowface]

Yes perhaps I should just wait and see if it was a one off. Thanks for the responses anyway, it helps just to air things and just reassure myself that I am not just being over protective, dh is still at work and is not very good at advice or anything when it comes to school stuff.

[LIZS]

Are you sure you've got the whole story ? I'm sure she'd have rather had a break herself than kept them in , especially so soon into term. Was it really the entire break or just a few minutes ?

[constancereader]

Yes, I have found that children don't always give the whole picture to their parents!

Keeping the whole class in is not a good idea though, but I bet she doesn't do it again. I would give the teacher a break, we all say or do things a little hastily sometimes.

[rainbowface]

Squeakypop apparently she did do just that. It was not underlining things and not doing joined up writing.

[SqueakyPop]

She would only keep them in for bad behaviour, imo - and then for 10 minutes max.

The children have to have their lunch and go to the toilet, as does she.

Kids don't often tell their parents when they have been badly behaved, funnily enough.

[SuperBunny]

I'd probably ask the teacher about it on Monday and see what she says.

Maybe it was the end of a bad week?

Wasn't a good thing to do as it will have undoubtedly made her afternoon much worse. I assume the children ate lunch?

[SuperBunny]

Am posting as a teacher btw. I would never have done that as I needed the break as much as the children did. But, I did sometimes ask a child to come in for a few minutes to do something they were meant to do during class time.

[twinsetandpearls]

Sounds like an NQT and if so SLT in the school with ne dealing with it.
But also bear in mind you may not have the full story.

[rainbowface]

The children did eat lunch, the packed lunches ( my ds included) ate at their desks and the school dinners were allowed to the hall but then straight bck when they had finished. I know what you mean about not getting the full story, he is still adament that is exactly what happened - I dont know what to think. Doesnt help that as we are new I dont know any parents that well to bring it up with them.Any way off to read a bedtime story to someone now - will probably stew over this all weekend knowing me.

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

Is this yr 1 of juniors?

IME the first half term in juniors is mega strict while the children get used to the new tough regime after being bathed in the balmy waters of infants. IYSWIM.

Hope you get a clearer picture on Monday.

[twinsetandpearls]

Children, or students I teach secondary, never leave my room for break or lunch if they have not finished. I would never keep in a whole class. I do expect silence from the whole room before I dismiss people. But if a few were causing a fuss I would let the others go.

[anonandlikeit]

maybe someone pinched her chair in the staff room while she was off & she fancied a bit of company at lunch.

But honestly, i wouldn't make a fuss especially if its a one off!

[cornsilk]

I think keeping kids in at play/lunch time is pretty crap. (teacher btw.) However I know lots of teachers do it for part of the lunch or play. The whole of lunch/play and the whole class is way OTT (and probably a classic NQT mistake.) Don't say anything unless it happens again - it'll probably have backfired spectacularly. Or wait till parents evening and mention it then.

[twinsetandpearls]

Cornsilk what would be more crap is allowing students to fail their GCSE's becuase I did not enforce firm classroom management.