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Original poster

Detention in yr 7 - harsh?

110 replies

SingingGoldfinch · 03/10/2017 15:28

Hi - my dd has just started in yr 7. New school, new rules, new friends - all the usual stuff to get her head round. The school has a policy that it doesn't enforce any sanctions in first 2 weeks but then they come into full force. In principle I don't have a problem with that approach - until that is my daughter very genuinely forgot to do a piece of maths homework and landed herself an after school detention. No warning, no lunchtime detention just straight into a full on after school detention. She was beside herself and really anxious about it all weekend - she's always been so conscientious and has never been in any trouble at all at school. She's done the detention now and I've told her we just put it behind us and move on, but my question is do you think this was a little harsh? Others have forgotten homework in other lessons and been let off.

OP posts:
iwouldgoouttonight · 03/10/2017 15:57

I think it's too harsh but we're going through similar at DS's school. His friend (also year 7) got a detention for not being able to do some homework on the online app because his login wasn't working and the teachers knew that. DS is getting really anxious and making mistakes he wouldn't normally make because he's scared of getting a detention.

I completely understand they have to have rules and clear consequences, but to me a detention is for deliberately naughty behaviour or consistently forgetting homework, not a one off mistake.

nobutreally · 03/10/2017 15:52

Interesting. Dd (y7) got a detention today for forgetting to take in her homework (she did it; just left it at home). Immediate (short-20 mins??) detention after school - although they got let out early for behaving so well in the detention! She's scarily resilient so was fine with it - although her older brother would have been mortified in year 7.

I am fine with it - homework is important in secondary, getting that clear for year 7s doesn't hurt. But I told both mine that secondary would be strict, and there would be more detentions/no second chances In the way they'd had in primary.

Original poster
SingingGoldfinch · 03/10/2017 15:49

Nope - it was definitely just given for homework issue - we had a form to sign for it which clearly said "forgotten homework". She was the only yr 7 there.

The set up at your school sounds more reasonable Cottonwool, especially for year 7s. I fully support clear rules on this but starting secondary is so full on and there is so much for them to learn and organise. There is also the added complication that they have a homework planner which they write in and an online app - most but not all the homework goes online. This is how dd came unstuck.

OP posts:
Lily2007 · 03/10/2017 15:47

I think that's very harsh. I think at DDs school its 6 homeworks not done.

Dixiechickonhols · 03/10/2017 15:45

Seems harsh. I'd look at why it happened with DC and move on eg if DC forgot to write in planner remind to always write it down. DC has a penalty points system, I think forgetting work would be a point. Then 3? points gets a detention. Also yes lots of letting off and gently reminding next time that would be a penalty point.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 03/10/2017 15:42

Full on after school detention seems a bit harsh for 1 forgotten bit of homework but if that's the policy the school has then that's that, lesson learnt. Are you sure there weren't other factors taken into consideration like messing about in class etc.

cottonwoolbrain · 03/10/2017 15:39

DD's school give them loads of chances.

For each mistake (e.g. forgetting homework, equipment, lateness etc.) they get a disorganisation mark. For 3 marks they get a demerit and have to see head of year. If they get another 3 marks they get a demerit and a detention then the slate is wiped clean and they try to avoid getting more marks.

This seems a bit fairer than a full on detention for one mistake and probably focuses the mind quite well if you have 4 or 5 disorganisation marks!

permatiredmum · 03/10/2017 15:32

Too harsh.After school detentions should be for intentional naughtiness, not a memory slip by a kid still trying to get to get to grips with things.

greystarling · 03/10/2017 15:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PotteringAlong · 03/10/2017 15:29

No. She knew the rules and school were very clear about what would happen. Next time she needs to do get homework.

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