Reception kids missing playtime as a punishment, but being made to sit on chairs in the of the playground at playtime......

[DrNortherner]

Is this common practice/normal/acceptable?

Smacks abit of a public flogging to me. Just wanted some other opinions on this.

Thanks guys

[Eight]

Also smacks of staff shortages.

Haven't experienced it before, but wouldn't be at all pleased about it.

[southeastastra]

i wouldn't be happy at all. what did they do?

[Hulababy]

TBH I am not keen on little ones missing playtime as punishment. I think there is a real need for them to get outside and let some steam off.

I would prefer for them to have another form of punishment - maybe missing a preferred classroom task?

Public humilation is never good at this age.

[LIZS]

Seems a bit draconian unless it is an offfence during that playtime, normally it is classroom Golden Time that gets deducted ime rather than outdoor playtime (surely those who are playing up are often the most in need to expend energy)

[RedLorryYellowLorry]

They do this at dd's school but they sit inside and aren't supervised. All years Reception to Yr 6 sit at one table and read a book. I was amazed they didn't just sneek off The deputy head is a bit of a weapon though so I've heard.

[DrNortherner]

Hmm. My thoughts exactly. It was my ds and another boy. They lifted up a girls skirt in school, lost playtime as a consequence, but had to sit on chairs in the playground.

Cue other kids winding them up 'You've lost your play time ner ner' thye retaliated by throwing stones and got into more trouble

Teacher wants a meeting to discuss. I accept s needing punishing but this seems wrong to me.

[southeastastra]

seems a little ott for reception.

[juuule]

Completely wrong imo. I would be very annoyed.

[ViciousSquirrelSpotter]

Wrong wrong wrong

Report to OFSTED

I've developed zero tolerance for this sort of crap practice now.

There's no excuse for it. If it were any other walk of life, we'd expect professionals to follow professional theory and practice.

[wurlywurly]

normal practise in our school, kids are naughty then they are made to stand against the fence.

[MrsCarrot]

Seems counterproductive to me.

Keeping children in instead of letting them burn off steam at breaktime is hardly conducive to a peaceful afternoon in the classroom.

They do it at ds1's middle school. I cannot fathom why.

[Hulababy]

Definitely not right, but don't think it is a Direct to OFSTED thing. TBH I don't think OFSTED would deal with it in the first inmstance anyway. Normal protocol would be to speak to the school first, which I think is wholley justified.

[sniff]

lot of boys look at pants lots of girls do to I know that doesnt make it right but its a bit harsh punishment in my opinion and if someone was taking the piss out of me and taunting me when I couldn't move I would want to throw stones!!!

I think missing play should be staying inside not being made to sit on chairs outside

[MrsCarrot]

or not letting them run around anyway, it's hard for them to concentrate during the long schoolday as it is, especially boys.

[ViciousSquirrelSpotter]

Yes, meant long term - threat of ofsted is enough.

Golden time is missed at DS/ DD's schools. Much more sensible, doesn't open them to being wound up by other kids and fits in with the school's "healthy school" status - aim of getting kids to run around as much as possible, walk to school etc.

Plus it really pisses them off to miss golden time, without being counter productive in terms of them not burning off energy. It's very clever the way they seem to have got them to really really see golden time as some kind of golden wonderful thing.

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

Seems fine to me. When we were young if we'd been naughty we were made to stand at the front of the class. Yes they've been naughty, so yes an example has to be set. Report to OFSTED oh come on, this is why the country is in such a state today because we wrap the poor little darlings up so much coz we don't want them to get upset. Sorry, they have to learn the difference between right and wrong and cause and effect seem the best way. Teachers no longer use corporal punishment (lets not get into an argument about that one) so what's left for them to do???

An aquaintance of mine has just finished her teach training probation year and punishment is dealt with in a softly softly approach. When a child is naughty they do not scold them but they praise when they are good - and them being good equals, normal acceptable behaviour for other pupils. So the pupils who do behave themselves do not get praised for behaving normally and then they don't see the point in behaving at all because you get more brownie points if you are naughty first. In extreme cases if a naughty pupil was 'good' for a whole week then they got a reward of a go on a playstation or something. What a load of bollocks!

If my son came home and said he had been made to sit in the playground and missed out I'd have said well I hope you learned your lesson and won't be naughty again.

[bozza]

We have time by the wall which is I think for midemeanours in the playground mainly, but not sure if it might also be in the classroom too. I have a feeling DS might have had time by the wall for chatting on the carpet.

[DrNortherner]

Oh yes I certainly expected him to be punished just a bit about the way they did it. The teacher was so shocked and upset about the throwing of stones incident, but they must understand this could happen in this given situation?

Me and his teacher do not see eye to eye at all. Roll on end of term is all I say

[bozza]

TBH voluptua I nearly always take that approach with DS, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wouldn't have a word with the teacher. As it happens thus far, the few punishments DS has received have all been well justified AFAICS. But that might not always be the case.

[Pannacotta]

I dont like it at all. DOnt agree with taking away time to let off steam as this is essential for young children, esp lively boys.
I remember once being punished when at infant school and made to walk around the playground at break time hand in hand with the other "naughty" kids.
It was totally humiliating and I remember that feeling to this day. Can really understand why stones were thrown in response to being taunted.
I would personally complain to the head.

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

Bozza I agree with you. I would be concerned if they were just made to sit there unsupervised but if they were supervised then the teachers should have intervened re the stone throwing.

Running off steam is also correct so perhaps making them miss out on some fun thing during lessons and being made to sit down the front doing sums or something but I still wouldn't report it to OFSTED that seems a tad OTT.

[aintnomountainhighenough]

I find this pathetic, taking away playtime because they lifted a girls skirt! The teachers poor judgement and poor management led to the much more serious event of the throwing of stones - now that is unacceptable. The teacher should take responsibility for this - as some many times we see on Mumsnet - they are only 4 fgs!

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

Look at it from the girl's point of view. What if her mum came on here and said my poor DD was so humiliated today when boys lifted up her skirt but they weren't punished blah blah blah and now she is scared to go to school anymore and feels bullied by them.

Just playing Devil's Advocate

[aintnomountainhighenough]

And yes you are right, we don't know all the details about this perhaps the little girl was in tears. However I am very surprised that it was handled this way. The problem to me with using such a punishment for something so minor is where do you go when they do something really naughty?