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Original poster

mandated after school clubs

62 replies

jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 16:55

Hello, My daughter (Year 8) has just been told that she must attend two after school clubs every week. I don't think the school has any jurisdiction out of hours and I'm surprised and disappointed by the tone of this instruction, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has had a similar instruction from their school, and particularly when a child has to travel after dark because of attending the clubs. Many thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 18:09

Hi @choosername1234, These are the school's stated times (from their website):

Period 1 - 8.30 to 9.50

Period 2 - 9.50 to 11.10

Break - 11.10 to 11.30

Period 3 - 11.30 to 12.50

Lunch - 12.50 to 13.25

CAPD/Tutor - 13.25 to 13.55

Period 4 - 13.55 to 15.15

Enrichment Time and Period 5 (Compulsory for Year 11 and Year 13) - 15.15 to 16.15

OP posts:
choosername1234 · 13/09/2021 17:37

A few secondary schools around here have introduced a longer day and the new/extra period is for clubs. So they are compulsory as they have been included into the school day. I wonder if it's part of a new trend or similar?

Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 17:35

Hi @Bellie99 - yes I have. It was extremely...direct.

OP posts:
Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 17:24

@olivermcfuddling - thank you. I don't think they can do this either but they run the whole place as if it's a borstal and parents are considered part of the problem, and therefore removed from as much decision making as possible.

OP posts:
Bellie99 · 13/09/2021 17:20

Have you seen the mandate? If not ask to see it as it will be a tough one to enforce outside of school hours for all sorts of reasons - travel, other activities, family reasons etc

Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 17:18

@dementedpixie - they are saying it has to be two off a list they have provided. No consideration at all to what the child might be doing out of school already. I'm pretty wound up about it.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/09/2021 17:18

So the school are providing them?
What about children who do after school activities elsewhere?

Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 17:17

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
jessrichmond · 13/09/2021 17:17

@JanglyBeads. Thank you. State School. Academy. Not catch up - standard extracurricular like sports and music. The language was very clear - You MUST sign up to two and the register will be taken. No consideration at all to travel - the school has a wide catchment area (because it's desperately unpopular) and most kids travel some distance.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/09/2021 16:57

Do they mean any clubs of your choosing or are they bring offered by the school?

It's actually none of their business what your child does when they are not at school!

olivermcfuddling · 13/09/2021 16:57

I dont think they can be made to go!

JanglyBeads · 13/09/2021 16:57

State school? Academy or not? Do many travel by school bus? Could it be part of “catch up”?

It does sound unlikely. Are you sure she hasn’t misinterpreted someone encouraging them to attend clubs??

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