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?

I know my industry (television) is relatively informal but in the two decades I've been working is has never crossed my mind that I should do this. I'd stand if they were coming to my desk to talk to me, as it makes for easier communication for both parties, but just to acknowledge their presence feels like unnecessary genuflecting. It sounds like something from when my dad was starting out and everyone was Mr or Mrs SoAndSo.

But surely it's what you do as an adult in a work/social situation? A new colleague is brought around the office to meet the team, you stand up when they get to you, you're at a formal dinner at university and the provost comes in, the room stands up, a friend arrives late at a dinner party and you stand up from the table to say hello. It's good manners.

They should boo the bastard. How dare he set himself above them.

God, who'd be a teacher these days. Parents are exhausting.

Normal and a sign of respect. Good! May help counter the high disrespect that causes so many issues in society today.

Occasionally at work people stand up for someone very senior (eg a minister) as a sign of respect. It’s lifelong. Like holding a door open.

Consider it good practice for the future.

You'd be expected to stand for a judge in court whether there as the accused, on jury service, as a witness or counsel.

You're expected to stand for superiors in the military, the police, and the fire service.

Many organised religions expect people to stand, sit and kneel on command.

Is this normal? Really?
I had no idea. Doesn't happen at my kids' school. They are expected to be sitting nicely and say "good morning" when addressed.

I am shocked you see this as draconian. It's good practice for what will need to hapepn throughout life. As others have said - if you're in a meeting room, you stand to greet other people as they enter the room. I'm constantly surprised by how basic ettiquette is not understood - eg weddings. You get to your assigned table. I was taught, everyone already there immediately turns or stands to greet the new arrival. new arrival makes effort to go round table introducing themselves etc. But I've been to so many events of this type where everyone is too embarassed and just sits there and it makes getting the social chit chat started so hard.

But then, I went to a catholic school, taught by nuns... we had to not only stand when an adult entered the room, we had to curtsey too!

I think it's also easier, with a lot of teens, if there's a signal to shut up and focus on the front, and by everyone standing together, they can then all sit together and be quiet. It's just a ritual to tell them to stop messing about! We stood until the teacher told us to sit down, that could take quite a while. That's the least upsetting thing about my schooldays!

In my school days we used to have stand up when any adult came into the room and then stay standing until told to sit down. Sometimes a teacher would come into the room to chat to the class teacher and after about 5 minutes realise that they hadn't told us to sit down and we were all standing there like lemons!

I stand up if I am in a meeting and clients come into the room

It gets the class focussed on the adult in the room.

What is your problem with it?

@IdLikeToBeAFraser I went to a convent but never had to curtesy, but we weren't allowed to cross our legs whilst sitting on a chair as that was disrespectful!

I think it's unwise to teach people automatic respect for their elders- in fact standing when someone enters the room in this situation is to show deference, not respect. I much preferred it at school 35 years ago when teachers spoke on our level and were non-authoritarian, clearly actually liked us and wanted to do their job well, and didn't think we were a problem (especially as teenagers) before we even met. Yes, sure, politeness was both demonstrated to us and expected in return by these better teachers but not automatic deference.

I would much prefer a society like this and I'm so glad people challenge it now, even if sometimes it leads to rudeness. Really things would be so much better if people took the pole out of their arses on this. Automatic hierarchy is ridiculous and antiquated. I've always been repulsed by such environments at work and have chosen to work in places which are much more egalitarian. Standing up when someone comes into the room at work is etiquette rather than respect - and may be the totally wrong etiquette in some circumstances.

Politeness and kindness is great and should be the norm, up to a point. I also teach my two DDs when to speak up when something is not right and also when to be absolutely the opposite of polite, and politeness is definitely not required or would seriously hamper them.

Automatically showing respect to "elders and betters" is the sort of bullshit that lets authority figures get away with anything from poor teaching to poor care to actual abuse for years and years as certain people must be shown deference and cannot be challenged.

I think schools in general are totally draconian.

They are like prisons

Children should have more freedom

Hear hear.

Most people have no idea what goes on in these bullshit academy chains.

Also claiming they have no money - check what the CEO is paid.

Would any of us like to do it?

Say when your boss comes into the office in the morning, you have to stand up to show your respect.

If any of you are current teachers, do you expect your class to stand when you come in?

I totally agree with the adult on adult situations given above, where the respect is mutual, but I'm not so keen on a class having to rise when a teacher (or another adult) walks in.

Some are. For example that awful thread about the school jumper. Now that is Draconian and entirely unreasonable.

This is not.

If you see some of the behaviour in schools the pupils have enough freedom!

I'm probably showing my age (and background - different, more conservative, country!)

Your poor wee poppets. I mean imagine the hell they must have gone through every day at having to greet the teacher. They will be scarred for life.

Oh my god, the number of emails we get, about the most trivial things. Ludicrous.
Often it boils down to: the rules must apply to every child, but just not mine.

I've worked in schools.

I've definitely seen a lot of people who work in schools, who really enjoy having power over teenagers and children.

I think some people go into those roles for the power.

Children and teens are seen as second class citizens

I don't think it's draconian, no, I didn't say it was. Please don't put words in my mouth.

It is one of the bullshit things some schools still do though. I said I thought it was outdated, as I did 35 years ago.

If that was the only issue about a school I wouldn't be fussed about it, but I bet it isn't the only issue.

It's inhumane! 😂