My DCs secondary school use the children in year 7 and 8 as school runners. This entails the child missing a full day of school where they sit behind the school receptionist and run around the school with messages for her. They are not given any work to do (they usually just read a book between running errands) and they are told it is their responsibility to catch up on the lessons missed. I think it is old fashioned and a waste of 2 full days of education (each child does it for one day per year), plus in a massive secondary it is really hard for kids to catch up properly.
I have been told by the deputy head, that this is common practice but I don't know anyone else at a school where this happens.
I asked the school if they could make it clear to parents that this occurs, (as it is not on any of the bumpf) and consider consent. They said they did not want to get into the issue of consent and see it as a community service.
I would like to know if this happens at your child's secondary school and if so what you think about it.
many thanks!