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Original poster

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

109 replies

Carsgoingby · 22/07/2022 19:12

Interested in other peoples thoughts on this - twelve year old turning up ten minutes early every time the lesson is after break / lunch. Teacher has repeatedly asked them not to.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 22/07/2022 19:18

They have been asked not to and have not heeded this. The next step I guess is to be punished.

PuttingDownRoots · 22/07/2022 19:18

Are they in an area they aren't allowed to be at that time by being early?

But I agree... is there a reason they are being early that needs looking into?

IncompleteSenten · 22/07/2022 19:17

They are refusing to follow instructions. That is detention worthy.

If I was the teacher though I'd be wanting to find out why they were early. The first thing that would cross my mind is they are being bullied and trying to avoid being on the yard during breaks.
I wouldn't go straight to detention before ruling that out.

BlanketsBanned · 22/07/2022 19:17

Are you the teacher or the parent. Have you asked the student why they prefer to sit in an empty classroom rather than take their full break. I would be concerned they are being bullied. No, detention is not needed, the student has done nothing wrong.

noblegiraffe · 22/07/2022 19:17

Is the kid hanging around in the corridor (out of bounds at break), or bothering the teacher who wants to have lunch in peace?

If the kid is seeking refuge from unstructured time then that’s one thing, but if just refusing to follow a reasonable instruction, that’s another.

Simonjt · 22/07/2022 19:16

Its a bit disrespectful as the child is essentially showing that they believe they deserve an extra ten minutes of the teachers time, time when the teacher will either be on a break or getting the lesson ready.

Many schools also ban children have free run of school during breaks as anywhere a child could possibly go needs adult supervision. A few one of incidents, fine, but to continually ignore instruction from the teacher does need to be punished as the child is refusing to listen.

BendingSpoons · 22/07/2022 19:15

They aren't getting a detention for turning up early, but for not listening to instructions. I'd be concerned the pupil was struggling with friendships or something but must also be frustrating for the teacher.

ComDummings · 22/07/2022 19:14

A detention is a bit much but it rude and disrespectful to be so early. Just as bad as being late. Why is this child so early after break? Are they having friendship issues or is there bullying? Are they anxious about being late?

onelittlefrog · 22/07/2022 19:13

Yes if they’ve repeatedly been asked not to. But why are they doing it? Are they being bullied at break time? A good teacher would want to get to the bottom of that.

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