Kids asked to stand for headteacher

[Worcswarrior]

So dd has just started high school. There is an expectation that the students stand up when the headteacher enters the assembly hall. Is this not a bit draconian in 2024?

Well … as a teacher of classes of 30 I don’t know how much learning would take place in an environment without rules.
And parents would be the first to complain in their child wasn’t able to learn because someone else’s child was refusing to be quiet and follow the rules …

It's probably a good way of getting hundreds of children to pay attention . Same if they have to stand when the teacher enters the room . As someone else said, croud control!

It doesn't harm the little poppets so I can't see a problem

Absolutely this. So many children don't get taught good manners at home. Doing this type of thing at school means that good manners come naturally and people can be at ease in any social or work situation. It costs nothing but gives a lifelong benefit. You don't get private school pupils looking blankly, as a pp said, when someone offers their hand to shake, or failing to stand up when an interviewer walks into the room, both of which create a bad first impression. It's part of normal social capital.
I wonder if the people who say it's Draconian or outmoded are the same ones who think that table manners aren't important and it doesn't matter if you hold your cutlery wrongly or in the wrong hands, speak with your mouth full etc?

The natural hair one is unconscionable, I do remember that now and it was disgusting. The rest seems a reaction to bad behaviour by children or parents. Its pretty well established that standards of behaviour are deteriorating and anything that addresses that must be a good thing - not only for running the school, but for the childrens future going forward.

There was a school in a really rough part of Oakland in California where the new head hired an etiquette coach to teach manners. Attainment levels went right up, and kids went on to have much better outcomes in life.

Actually, I don't think that's at all a bad idea. Far better than the false British equation that wearing uniform somehow equals discipline.

Another thing the British compulsory sector gets wrong, IMO, is the spectrum of work teachers are routinely expected to do. And naturally, the thinner they spread themselves, the less well the work gets done. Differentiation to embed SEN support. Three different session plans for the same class to take account of varying abilities. Counselling and pastoral support. Crowd control. Classroom and behavioural management. Managing bullying. In some cases, changing nappies and catering for kids who can't even use a knife and fork.

In France, for example, there are dedicated professionals taking care of most of these areas, leaving teachers completely free to do what they are paid for and have qualified to do. Teach. There can be no way that this doesn't improve the quality of their teaching. It has to.

As for the National Curriculum, the GCSE area of this hasn't received a major subject content overhaul, at least in the discipline I'm versed in and know most about, since 1988. And phonics is a disastrous system of teaching literacy and is particularly bad for kids with SEN like dyslexia.

IMO, the whole system needs a radical shake-up from top to bottom.

Draconian 😂

IMHO, kids these days need to be taught to show respect more often than they do.

Yabu it's a respect thing.

I'm having a flashback...

Aged 7, the headmaster saying 'good morning everyone' at assembly

Cue several hundred kids droning 'goooooood mooooooooorniiiing miiiiister naaaaame ...' very very slowly in unison

A related question, if you were sitting down and were introduced to some one, who offered you their hand to shake.

Would you shake hands with someone without first getting up?

No, FinallyHere, I would automatically stand up, it is good manners and makes sense. Otherwise they'd be standing up on their own and feeling awkward, like a spare part (I have been in that position :-)).

Exceptions are if someone has difficulty rising from their seat (which most visitors would realise), and they'd probably say something like, "Excuse me for not getting up".

This happened to me a few weeks ago.

Big boss was walking around while I was having an informal job interview. He was introduced to a staff member he hadn’t met before. She didn’t stand. Then he was introduced to me. I did stand. We had a great chat and he seemed impressed. I was offered the job.

Manners go a long way.

In fact, one might even say that manners maketh the man. (FYI - that was a thing before The Kingsman film came out).

If they don’t do it now, they’ll have a shock later when they’re in the dock and expected to stand for the judge 🤣🤣🤣

Really? Shows respect, don't see why would would think it was an issue...odd

It’s a respect thing

It’s not at all draconian. It shows respect, which is needed in my opinion. It prepares them for adult life, so good experience. There will be times, when, as adults, they come across situations where respect is expected of them.

I had to stand for any teacher coming into assembly and any teacher entering a classroom. Stand in silence until told to sit. Didn’t do me any harm! 😁

In the school I work in, we all stand when the prefects come in and remain standing for the Head and Deputy Head who walk in afterwards.
If adults have no problem standing for prefects, a child should not have a problem standing for the Head.

Rather a nice sign of respect. You may feel it’s a little old fashioned but certainly not draconian.

Yes it was the same for me in 1970's. I think it's respectful and glad to hear it still happens.😄

It’s respect and manners. I did it in the 90’s and my kids do it today. Some teachers would wave and tell us to remain seated, some would expect everyone to stand and would wait at door until we did as told. Those that didn’t stand were escorted out and dealt with.

I think it's perfectly acceptable for the Head. As a teacher it's a little annoying if it's for every member of staff that comes into a classroom...

It is a sign of respect and discipline. Describing this as draconian is nuts and I find it a bit strange this worries you.