No lockers and no lunch rooms - is this the norm?

I would not like to walk around a school on duty with a walkie talkie. At most schools there is an office or a room with a phone not that far away. We sometimes use them for big outdoor events but not when walking around the school. The only school I have ever worked in that needed a Walkie talkie was one that was completely out of control.

I don't think there is anything wrong is state schools wanting to take from the best of independent schools. I am sure independent schools could also learn from state schools.

In view of what you've said, I think that the best way forward would be to encourage the girls that have spoken to you to ask for the problems to be debated at the next school council meeting. That's the purpose of School Councils.

dd goes to a large comp. There are lockers - bot not for all, so you have to put your name down and then you get it for the whole time you are there. dd puts her pe kit, dt/art stuff in there but not her coat as time can be a bit tight for getting the bus after so that gets stuffed in her bag.

packed lunches eat in the hall, unless they have a club, then they can take it with them. dd tried a hot meal in the canteen for the first time recently and really enjoyed it (primary school ones were dreadful)

I think she is fortunate, at another local school there is such lack of space that by the time the last kids have finished queueing it is time to go back to class. I think that is dreadful.

I think he probably has more important things to worry about.

You seem to think that state schools should aspire to be like independent schools. Why?

Are you likely to have children at this school in the future?

OP, I can't figure out why you care. If you are not a parent at this school, and you don't work at this school, then it is highly probable that you do not know the full story. As for writing to the governers (or, as another poster has hinted, Ofsted), I strongly suspect that they have other things more pressing to deal with that where kids choose to eat their lunch (and believe me, some will choose to eat in the toilets, no matter what other provisions there are)

I teach in a relatively small state secondary. We have common rooms and a large-ish canteen, and students are allowed to eat their packed lunches in the canteens if they wish to, though not in common rooms (as these are also classrooms) Many choose not to - I am always surprised at how many students I see eating baguettes or sandwiches, bought from the canteen, in stairwells or sitting on the floor in the corridor. We have a lovely outdoor seating area, and some eat there (even in this weather)

We do have lockers, but not all students choose to use them. Many don't bother with coats, even in the cold weather we're currently having (not cool, apparently - a hoodie is apparently perfectly fine even in the snow)

We have staff who patrol with walkie talkies, and also CCTV. CCTV is useful if there is trouble at lunchtime, or if children claim that something has been stolen, or if toilets get vandalised or whatever. Walkie talkies are useful if there is a fight, and the member of staff on patrol needs to get assistance straight away. Teachers don't tend to carry their mobiles around with them. Walkie talkies are quicker. I don't see what the objection is - claiming that CCTV and walkie talkies make schools like prisons is just bizarre.

Some of the classrooms in DS's school are quite small. I can't imagine what they are like with 30 students with at least 2 bags each. No wonder they don't want to wear coats.

regarding the walkie talkies - school buildings are notorious for not being 'free flowing' with years and years of extensions etc. Walkie Talkies are an instant way of passing on information e.g. the next year group can go in for lunch; has everyone in year 8 eaten so we can send the next group in?

The problem with mobile phones are signals - you can not always rely on them being good enough

in relation to the lockers; the first school I worked in there were no lockers as there was not enough room. The 2nd school had about 20 lockers for 800 students....the school I currently work in have a lot more lockers available to rent but there is no where else to put any to allow all students to have access

It should be possible to cavas the students for support via VLE or school council, but the barrier is likely to be space. If there are 1200 students and each locker is 45cm wide, you'll need to find 180m of windowless wall space if you get the 1/3rd height lockers or 270m of wall space if you get the 1/2 height lockers that allow for an internal shelf.

"Having a mix of students and families is one of the things that would improve state education."
As a parent with one in state ed and one in independent boarding I don't think I make a scrap of difference to my DS's state school. I am not "sharp-elbowedness, fourxfours, general lah-di-dahness" just a normal MC working parent I attend parents evening school function etc. and generally support the school but hope that neither schools wants or indeed needs any excessive interfering input on my part!
P.S. At DS1s school lockers are provided I haven't got the faintest idea about packed lunches because I have no intention of ever providing the things.
P.P.S. Just asked DS2 they can eat their packed lunches in the dinning room!

You get a group of you to stand at the school gates. Stand in the local town/ village. Or you perhaps do something online.

First thing you need to do is establish a PTA.

Has anyone written to the head with concerns. If that gets you no where the governors, lea. Still no where petition from parents and go back to governors and lea or mp. If needs be go to the press . Have you a PTA?

My children's school has very small lockers that can be rented, but they are not necessarily close to their form rooms and their primary use is as a place to stash (still muddy & steaming) PE kits rather than transport them to/from school. I have to beg to get those home to be washed/checked for size/completeness etc.) Apparently there's no room to fit books in as well, which always come home just in case they are needed for homework and definitely no room for spare footwear that is more sensible for walking to/from school, a warm and/or waterproof coat, etc.

I have taught in two comprehensives- neither had lockers for students but both did have reasonable dining rooms where everyone could sit to eat.

In the two independents I have taught in everyone had a locker and access to a common room. Dining facilities were excellent.

I have never heard anywhere of anyone having/wanting to eat in the toilets- yuk.

"I know it's like trying to get blood out of a stone to get ds1 (13) to impart important information about Options Evenings, end-of-year exams etc to me but I hear all about people on report, mucking around in the playground, etc."

Just CCTV at Ds1's school. No people with walkie talkies.

Having a mix of students and families is one of the things that would improve state education .