Any primary school teachers who can help?!

[WittgensteinsBunny]

DD1 is in year 1. Her primary school has a very clear set of values. One of which is independence. This is the one that they focus on most in year 1 at DD’s school. Can any teachers tell me what this actually means in terms of what you’d expect from a new year 1 (she’s summer born, although I know this affords them no extra leeway and she doesn’t really need it)? DD is bright, well behaved and listens well. She’s helpful and caring. She can do all the usual stuff like getting dressed, changed for PE, no toilet issues (she’s been dressing herself since she was 3 and is a staunchly independent child when it comes to playing, learning, games, going off to summer camps and clubs, joining in with chores etc). She’s good at writing, reading, uses her initiative and listens. I’ve seen her behaviour in school as I help out with reading and she’s well behaved. And most importantly she loves school and wants to learn. However, she’s been threatened with losing golden time for forgetting to bring her lunch box back from the hall after playtime last week (only a few of the children have packed lunch and they also have to look for a flag for their year group, no bell, they also lose golden time for missing the flag) and she was hit in the playground today and was told to sort it out herself, as it’s part of learning to be independent... this seems unacceptable to me and contradicts the school’s behavioural policy. I’ve spoken to the teacher today. And she reiterated to me that she’d expect children to stick up for themselves as part of learning to be independent. I find this unacceptable but maybe this is normal? Teacher is a young NQT and everything seems a bit chaotic this year. DD is starting to say she doesn’t like school, that her class is noisy, there’s no room to write and they’re too strict and keep nagging about independence. I’d love to hear what teacher’s expect of 5 yos and what you think of this situation?

The beginning of Year 1 is pretty tough in terms of transitioning from the foundation stage. It is hugely about developing more independence but that doesn't just happen! It needs to be supported and guided. I have been both a Reception and Yr 1 teacher and our school works hard on transition - ie we keep a lot of the foundation stage practices at least until half term. There is a lot of pressure on teachers unfortunately to get the children achieving academically and often with less TA/ nursery nurse support. I don't think any child should be losing golden time for forgetting a lunchbox in Year 1 though! Maybe ask for an appt again with the teacher and ask to go through the class rules and sanctions. If you aren't happy you may have to see someone more senior. I'll be honest though there are a lot of schools that treat young children like learning robots from far too young and it breaks my heart!

I’m a teacher, I hate golden time & all that anyway, but this seems very harsh!

Independence wise, the things she’s doing is be delighted with. Children who try their best to do things like: put their name on pieces of work, look after their belongings (eg not constantly loosing jumpers, shoes etc), use initiative about what resources they need and get & return them....that sort of thing. But they’re only little & still trying to remember everything, especially as this is still pretty close to the beginning of term. If she’s always forgetting her lunch box, well she maybe just needs reminded, or praised when she has remembered not living in anxiety about forgetting to do something and being punished. I often think some schools should think how adults would react if we treated them the way we do to small children.

Thanks for the replies. We’ve been considering talking to them again and I like the angle about asking for the class rules and sanctions. Really useful. Thank you.