Is it acceptable for a child to be given a detention for being too early to lessons?

I don't think a detention is appropriate unless the child is being disruptive.

Most likely the child is being bullied, or perhaps is anxious and struggles with time management. The child maybe breaking the rules but if they aren't doing it to be 'naughty' then a detention is pointless.

For example if a child is being bullied they will need to find an alternative safe space they aren't going to be like "fair cop gov I'll go and sit outside". If we are concerned about children being unsupervised then In this situation the child will end up somewhere even more unsupervised

And actually 10 minutes early is a reasonable policy for work/appointments outside of school.

Perhaps she is the teacher. 😉

Perhaps OP is the 12 yo child

That's the point really. We don't know the whole story but people are inventing one.

How could anyone agree that punishment is a good idea based on this information? And the OP isn’t sure either, which is why they asked!

Because it's easier to assume (invent) a bullying backstory than agree with the teacher for some reason.

You missed my sarcasm, obv.

Yes, this is definitely another possibility.

Without ANY context, the OP is impossible to answer.

None of them have, not even the teacher in the OP.

What has been explained, repeatedly, is that if this detention was given, then it wouldn't be because the student was 'early for lessons' as per the thread title, but because the student had been repeatedly asked not to do something and was still doing it - refusal to follow instructions is a reason to give a detention.

That said, it's the holidays and the OP hasn't come back to explain so I'm dubious about the whole thing anyway.

Depends. Plenty do for such reasons as

A. There is cctv and patrolling staff in the playground, but not in the building.

B. They have a fundamental moral objection to being told what to do.

C. It's fun getting teachers and other staff into trouble if you know they get it in the neck from SLT.

D. It's fun showing a member of staff that they have no choice over whether s/he gives you attention or not.

E. It's a way of showing others that you're the teacher's favourite because she lets you come in and spend half of her lunchtimes with her. The teacher breaks the rules for you because you're special.

F. You've got a stonking crush/fancy her and think that if only you could spend some time alone without other kids around, something would develop.

After all, if this were a girl and a male teacher potentially alone together with no normal means of anybody seeing what could be happening, spotting her in the corridor every lunchtime and she was saying 'I just don't want to be late', would everybody still be comfortable with it? I'd certainly hope that SLT would make damn sure no teacher was put in that position/able to do such things unchecked and no child was able to be at risk.

The detention is not for turning up early. It's more likely for entering the school building during breaktime if that's not allowed.

As to why the kid is repeatedly doing this. It could well be friendship or bullying issues that need addressing. It could also be rifling through lockers/classroom drawers etc when no one is around...

You can read back the thread and see them@SuperSange , its a short thread easy enough to wade through

The detention is probably more because 1) they haven't taken the instructions and 2) they are wandering the school at lunch time which is usually not allowed.

But I would definitely be asking why they are doing this, rather than just punishing it.

Yes, my dcs' school has got similar places kids can go if they are struggling. They are also allowed to go to the library which is supervised. Dd used to do that.

I haven't read anyone say they'd give out a detention on the spot for this.

The fact the detention has been given for "refusing to follow instructions" implies the OP child was asked to not stand outside the classroom at least once.

That poster is referring to the many posters on the thread who claim to be teachers, saying they’d give out detentions on the spot for this apparently major infraction (upon their break time).

@Mumgonemild nobody has said they wouldn't ask. The first time I would ask, point them in the direction of the oasis hub and record it on the system. The second time I would do the same and give a detention as they know they are not following the rules and safeguards put in place.

There are members of staff on duty paid to deal with these issues. I get 30 mins lunch, 10 of those will be spent clearing away the previous practical, setting up the next one, putting retrieval exercises on the board and getting books out, recording any positives or issues from previous lesson on the system. If I spend another 10 talking to a student when do I get to go to the toilet, eat or have a drink as I can't drink in my lab and if I don't drink my voice starts yo go and I end up with laryngitis? I will probably have done a break duty as well so won't have had chance then either.

The Oasis hub has a member of staff and peer kindness ambassadors to deal with bullying incidents or to help support building friendships etc. Most schools will have something similar.

I can't see the post where the OP says the teacher hasn't tried to find out; can you direct me to it?

I expect the teacher is pissed off at losing ten mins of their lunchtime because if a student turns up, they'll feel they need to supervise them. I'd be posted off too, barring anything going on in the playground that's untoward.

The school staff on here that don't seem to give a shit about finding out why before dishing out dets is staggering.
a basic part of your job is the children's wellbeing….’oooh health and safety’!’ christ

and yes ive worked in a school, its not hard or taxing to ask why.

🤣🤣🙃

I'd give a detention for this, children are not allowed in the school building unless supervised.

Our toilets for break and lunch are in a diner in a separate building and we have an oasis hub (as do most schools) for students to go to and talk to kindness ambassadors or to take part in quiet activities for those who find unstructured time difficult. There is no reason for a child to be stood outside a classroom it is a safeguarding and safety issue. They have to be in an area supervised by staff.

OPs not come back, maybe they're still in detention

That could only be said by someone who has never worked in a school.

The teacher may have work, eg they might be adding something to SIMS that is confidential.

They may be helping another child.

They might be scared of being seen to be acting inappropriately or accused of something, most teachers don't want to be alone with a child.

Then there is health and safety concerns, maybe the teacher is putting up a display or is working with something that could be dangerous, eg getting chemicals ready for a science class.

Can't speak for anyone else but I assumed that the op would have said if anything had been tried before handing out detention.