@Tuibby
Thanks. I know this theory about it teaching them street smart skills and it would be nice to think there is a benefit to it. But I just don’t know how well it works in reality. I want him to feel safe and nurtured. Is there really much benefit to learning to keep your head down and keep out these kids way. I myself went to a fairly “rough” school and my parents used the line of it teaching us how to live in the real world. I don’t remember many fights but it wasn’t all that great an atmosphere there. And my own world now doesn’t really consist of anyone I need to avoid fights with as an adult.
If you ever want them to walk around a city yes it helps to be very on the ball!!
There are many comps across S London (and I am sure North too but we live S) for which places are ferociously pursued by middle class parents who want academic performance and a good environment for their kids.
Between them my kids have been to two that regularly appear on MN as highly sought after schools.
But they are also schools where some kids are on the fringes of gangs. Some are inclined to be disengaged. Some fight. Etc.
None of my kids ever felt scared at school, even when a fight was erupting. They don’t spend their days cowering with their eyes down, that’s just a useful skill to know when to use for a few seconds in certain situations.
Discipline in schools is much better managed than when I went to a ‘rough’ school.
Is your school ‘rough’ or does it just have some rough kids in it?
My kids had a good time at school. Did very well academically, music to a really high standard. Etc.
Is your Ds actually frightened?