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Original poster

Dissections in Y7

68 replies

Mepop · 16/12/2024 23:37

My DD had to do a dissection in her Science class today. She’s Y7. She asked not to take part but got told she had no choice but to do it. She has been very upset and teary about it this evening. I’m vegetarian. I also have a biology degree and managed to obtain it doing zero dissections so struggle to see why a Y7 has no choice but to do one in Y7 in a state school, I am considering complaining to the school. But am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
CyranoDeBergerQuack · 17/12/2024 04:00

AgeingDoc · 17/12/2024 03:25

That's bit odd. Zoologists and maybe vets, fair enough, but I don't know why medical students would be learning frog anatomy! We did dissection of course, but not frogs.Our first dissection session was on the afternoon of day 1 in fact - no gentle introduction or anything. But probably better to find out as soon as possible if the course wasn't for you I suppose.
I'm surprised by year 7s actually doing dissection. As a PP said that would be very expensive and of very limited value. The only dissection I recall doing at school was a a rat and a fish in my A level biology class but I don't think even that's common now, I'm pretty sure my DC just watched the teacher. I agree it would be unreasonable, and probably pointless to insist that an 11 year old dissects anything though.

Show quote history

Why is it unreasonable for a yr 7 to dissect anything?

CyranoDeBergerQuack · 17/12/2024 03:33

The child needs to get a grip. Having a veggie parent is neither here nor there in relation to the education curriculum. It doesn't confer privileges, power or concessions.
Children needs to realise how the world works, and definitely how bodies work, otherwise, we'll just have another generation of wussy, 'I won't answer my phone unless they've texted me to tell me they are going to ring me' not opening the door, anxious, adults who don't know how to adult.

AgeingDoc · 17/12/2024 03:25

stripeyshutters · 17/12/2024 00:41

When I was at Uni the med students dissected frogs in year one. I remember it well as they brought a dead one back to the Halls and we couldn't get it to flush down the toilet 😂

That's bit odd. Zoologists and maybe vets, fair enough, but I don't know why medical students would be learning frog anatomy! We did dissection of course, but not frogs.Our first dissection session was on the afternoon of day 1 in fact - no gentle introduction or anything. But probably better to find out as soon as possible if the course wasn't for you I suppose.
I'm surprised by year 7s actually doing dissection. As a PP said that would be very expensive and of very limited value. The only dissection I recall doing at school was a a rat and a fish in my A level biology class but I don't think even that's common now, I'm pretty sure my DC just watched the teacher. I agree it would be unreasonable, and probably pointless to insist that an 11 year old dissects anything though.

coxesorangepippin · 17/12/2024 03:23

That fact that you're a veggie has no bearing on this

Surely

LostittoBostik · 17/12/2024 03:21

fridaynight1 · 17/12/2024 02:32

I remember dissecting an eyeball. I wouldn't say it was a pleasant experience but I did it. Not convinced telling Miss I was a vegetarian would have excused me 😁

Oh god I was just trying to remember if I had or hadn't but this brings it all back...

fridaynight1 · 17/12/2024 02:32

I remember dissecting an eyeball. I wouldn't say it was a pleasant experience but I did it. Not convinced telling Miss I was a vegetarian would have excused me 😁

stripeyshutters · 17/12/2024 00:41

When I was at Uni the med students dissected frogs in year one. I remember it well as they brought a dead one back to the Halls and we couldn't get it to flush down the toilet 😂

nocoolnamesleft · 17/12/2024 00:19

We didn't do dissection at secondary school. Or indeed at A level biology. So the first time I ever did dissection was on a human cadaver as a 17 year old medical student. Would definitely have preferred to start on animals at secondary school!

LadyCatNap · 17/12/2024 00:11

This has surprised me. We didn’t do dissections when I was at school and my DC have never mentioned doing any either. Is this a common thing?

JemimaTiggywinkles · 17/12/2024 00:04

She actually had to do the dissection? Or had to be in the same room while the teacher did it? I've never known a state school to be able to afford enough specimens for the entire year group to do a dissection.

RedHelenB · 17/12/2024 00:02

Mepop · 16/12/2024 23:37

My DD had to do a dissection in her Science class today. She’s Y7. She asked not to take part but got told she had no choice but to do it. She has been very upset and teary about it this evening. I’m vegetarian. I also have a biology degree and managed to obtain it doing zero dissections so struggle to see why a Y7 has no choice but to do one in Y7 in a state school, I am considering complaining to the school. But am I being unreasonable?

Yabu. We did dissection in secondary, rats, frogs, hearts etc.

JudgeJ · 17/12/2024 00:01

TeenLifeMum · 16/12/2024 23:46

This is normal in year 7.

I'm amazed that anyone can get a Biology degree without dissecting on the excuse of being veggie!

Pottedpalm · 16/12/2024 23:58

Why did she not want to do it? You are vegetarian, is that relevant? They weren’t going to cook and eat whatever was dissected.

TunnocksOrDeath · 16/12/2024 23:54

Blimey, even back in the 90s my school had a policy that any child who was a vegetarian did not have to disect.

SensitivePetal · 16/12/2024 23:53

It’s part of the curriculum isn’t it? Surely anyone with moral objections would be allowed to sit it out.

Personally I wouldn’t complain. It’s a normal part of education and kids sometimes have to do stuff that makes them a bit uncomfortable.

Writing in the presumption that your child isn’t herself a vegetarian with strict moral or religious beliefs. If she was and they didn’t make accommodations that isn’t great

TeenLifeMum · 16/12/2024 23:46

This is normal in year 7.

Ablondiebutagoody · 16/12/2024 23:44

What did they dissect?

jigglywigglyhungryhippo · 16/12/2024 23:44

It is a bit odd that she wasn't allowed to just sit it out.

Would she have needed to leave the classroom? Maybe no free members of staff? So they couldn't let a child just wonder off.

I wouldn't complain but email teacher saying that in future, please could DD not take part in dissections- although apart from lungs, heart and kidney- there shouldn't be any more needed for GCSE