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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that it is the job of the lunchtime supervisors to clean the lunch hall, not year 6 pupils?

222 replies

tulpe · 01/11/2010 23:30

DS came home from school today telling me that there has been a new rule implemented for lunchtimes. Apparently, each week two year 6 pupils will sweep and clean the floor of the hall at the end of lunchtime. Poor DS was almost sick after being one of the 2 chosen for this week.

I find it appalling actually, tbh. Not because I think "oh precious DS shouldn't be clearing up" but because it is hardly fair to expect 2 children to clean up after 100 children have eaten.

AIBU to think that this is a job for the lunchtime supervisors and not two 10/11 year old children?

AIBU to tell the headmistress that DS will not be doing this job this week nor for the remainder of his time in the school?

OP posts:
femalevictormeldrew · 02/11/2010 08:38

YABU

We had a rota at school, and 2 pupils were put on "wash up" every day. All this involved was a quick wipe of the tables and brush the floor. We never had a problem with it, and as long as every child had to do it in turns I wouldn't mind mine doing it either. Good practice for them IMO. Why was he sick?

gorionSPARKLERS · 02/11/2010 08:47

I think it is much easier logistically to ask them to do the sweeping than to do the tables.

I do not know about other schools but in ours, there is several sittings (although children from previous sitting who have not finished their meal are not "chucked out") it means that some tables would not be cleaned for the next batch if there was still one child on it and it would also mean that the slow eater (always the same ones IME would be the one cleaning the table every day and missing most of his/her timeout.

Year 6 (well the upper juniors really) are the last ones in the hall (+younger ones still eating IYSWIM) sweeping the floor with the large broom should take less than 10 minutes (one sweeping, one collecting in dustpan).

I think the exercise could have positive outcomes, giving them a sense of helping, making them responsible as well as making them aware of the amount of food wasted on the floor.

pinguwings · 02/11/2010 08:55

Oh you are being precious. Teaches him a bit of responsibility and probably makes him and his peers respect the hall a bit more.

Sometimes we have to do things we might not like, but don't actually harm us, that's just life. So as for "telling(!)" the head mistress he will not be doing it, yes YABU

TheScorchedChamomileLawn · 02/11/2010 08:55

Yabu
I think it will do the children good to do this kind of work. Don't know why but I suspect (maybe) that your ds might be a bit precious about that kind of thing Wink
It's a bit off to give children the idea that they're above sweeping a floor, doesn't make for very nice children with respect for others imo.

Sandinmyshoes · 02/11/2010 08:55

I went to a private boarding school and each year group had a task in the dining room and you were rota'd on for the week. The youngest put out the butter and jam for breakfast, then as you went up a year group the task changed to: wiping down tables after breakfast and dinner, cutlery duty (taking the dirty cutlery into the kitchen to be cleaned), putting away clean cutlery, making toast for breakfast (big huge rotating toast machine - best job!).

We hated it! But it taught us the value of chores and made us more ready to help out at home. It's hardly free child labour... unless all parents who give their children chores are exploiting them!

If it's a new thing I think it could have been communicated to the parents beforehand, with reasoning behind it. But in principle I think it's a positive thing for a school to implement.

johnthepong · 02/11/2010 09:00

I seriously cant believe you are complaining about this. It is good that they get to understand the value of chores. So what if he dosnt make a mess when he eats? Thats life- we all have to do jobs we dont like doing from time to time- its called part of being a society.

Of course the job wont be dont to the strictest hygiene standards- but it will get much of the large bits out of the way for the lunchtime supervisors or cleaners or whatever to clean the floor properly afterwards.

I am a secondary teacher and frankly am shocked at many of my year 7 pupils who have no idea that they have to clear up after themselves after a lesson- and they cant leave stuff everywhere because mum wont be along later to clear it up. If pupils have left my room in a mess- shock horror- I get them back at lunchtime to clear it up.

seeker · 02/11/2010 09:04

My BIL stopped his daughter having riding lessons because she was expected to groom, tack up and untack her pony. "I don't pay good money for my child to do grunt work" was how he charmingly put it. He wouldn't have been happy with her sweeping the floor either.......

Himalaya · 02/11/2010 09:09

I think this is a nice idea. Nothing wrong with 11 year olds doing a bit of sweeping. It's only food.

If I were you I wouldn't pander to his sense of righteous indignation. Teenagers get good at the art of crying out 'its not fair' and feeling hard done by all by themselves. Better, while he is still young and sweet to encourage him to see it as normal to pull his weight and feel pride in a job well done.

Worst thing would be to pull him out for special treatment. If it is really unacceptable on h&s grounds or whatever then its unacceptable for all, not just your dc.

southeastastra · 02/11/2010 09:10

they should be out playing not sweeping, really i would complain myself

notquitenormal · 02/11/2010 09:11

We use to do something similar at my school.
Any packed lunch children (we usually finished earlier as we didn't have to queue) could volunteer to supervise reception children and help clean up.

We got school pudding in exchange.

I was good for me.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 02/11/2010 09:14

DD had to do this at her last school. She was eight at the time. It was the best part of her lunchtime

LoopyLoops · 02/11/2010 09:15

I think if your son is almost sick after sweeping sandwich crumbs, the best thing for him is to do more of it an get over it.

HowsTheSerenity · 02/11/2010 09:15

Most children I know do no chores at all around the house. Mummy and Daddy do everything. I think it is a good idea for them to learn how to clean. Will make them more tidy in the future.

I remember being at school and we had to set the tables, clear them, wipe them then reset after every meal. EVERYONE had to do this.

GrungeBlobPrimpants · 02/11/2010 09:18

YABU. I think it's a really good idea actually and promotes responsibility. As others have pointed out, this type of tidying up is standard practice at Cubs etc.

I don't think it's making the lunchtime supervisors' jobs any easier - from what I've seen of a Y6 definition of 'sweeping up' it requires a lot of monitoring, asking to go over it again and would have been quicker and easier to have done it yourself

I wouldn't be enouraging your ds's attitude to revulsion to this either, tbh

expatinscotland · 02/11/2010 09:19

YABU.

Attitudes like yours is why so many in this society have zero sense of personal or societal responsibility.

southeastastra · 02/11/2010 09:21

nope it's a job for adults not children imo.

emptyshell · 02/11/2010 09:23

I'd check there's not a back story behind this before you set the guns a-blazin' - because it seems quite a strange "job" to be giving the kids from every school I know. I'm wondering if there's been problems with year 6s flicking food at each other and this is the head's way of reinforcing that it's not on/teaching respect for the middays. I can't see it being budget cuts - wrong time of the year for that, and the kids are going to do such a job that it'll need re-doing anyway.

I'm just wondering if the full story's made it home (you might think your kid's always always fully honest about what's gone on at school - they rarely are, be it intentionally or just by simply forgetting to tell you something) - and the "oh I was almost sick at it" is just a kid exaggerating... I've seen the floors after school dinners - they're full of bits of still recognizable food that's missed small mouths, it's messy, but not something that would make anyone want to upchuck... now the slop buckets, gawd they make me want to hurl when it's been a custard day.

Original poster
tulpe · 02/11/2010 09:24

SEA - I totally agree with you.

And the others who have said "its a good thing" - I do agree too but within certain parameters.. I definitely don't see it as teaching DS that such things are "beneath" him.

DCs have to do chores at home etc and I wouldn't have a problem with them cleaning up at all at school after craft and such things. But food? No. Spoke with several parents this morning and consensus supports this.

Spoke with head this morning. She did her usual passive-aggressive stance at children "tittle-tattling" (last year there was uproar when she told children not to go telling parents about "things" that happen in school as she "didn't want an angry mob of parents at the door" Hmm ). Made suggestion that children clean up table by table rather than entire hall. Was met with stony look. So explained that whilst this system is in place DS is not to take part as he should be using his lunchtime to eat and burn off some energy. Not cleaning up after others unless done in the way I suggested.

Precious perhaps. But tis done now.

Thanks again for all your comments :)

OP posts:
Miggsie · 02/11/2010 09:24

I wonder when the OP thinks it is the right time for a person to learn to clear up a messy room...18, 25, 50...never?????

If the boy can't brush up crumbs without heaving then he will be a shite husband and father due to the fact he won't do nappies and food prep and clearing.

Eve4Walle · 02/11/2010 09:27

When I was at Junior school in the mid-80s, we had a rota where we had to take it in turns to sweep, clean tables and wipe plates up. It was just something we had to do and nobody moaned about it.

I can't see anything wrong with it personally - I would be happy for my DD to participate in something like this. She really needs to start learning that she has responsibilites etc.

cory · 02/11/2010 09:27

Like Sandinmyshoes, I have experienced this sort of thing at a private boarding school. Perhaps it is character building...

fwiw my 10yo pretended to be almost sick when I made him do the washing up the other day. Which means he will definitely be doing more of it.

I was not flattered by the thought that I have let him grow up so precious that he gags at the thought of something his dad and I have to do every day (ill health is partly an excuse- but not a good one). 10yo is not a baby.

tbh an 11yo doesn't need to do so much playing that he can't occasionally sacrifice his lunchtimes to help the adults- he can go out and play after school or join a sports club

those of you who made the posts about children needing to play- these are Year 6 pupils, 10-11yos, almost ready for secondary school- surely they can organise themselves to get enough fresh air after school?

I have a Year 6 boy myself, and would have no sympathy.

Original poster
tulpe · 02/11/2010 09:28

Miggsie - what a lovely comment Hmm

As I have already said, DCs do clean up after themselves at home. I just don't expect them to have to spend playtime cleaning up after others.

expatinscotland that's right. I am personally responsible for the breakdown of Britain Hmm

OP posts:
Vallhala · 02/11/2010 09:28

YABU. And precious to boot.

I'm in agreement with NarkyPuffin and Expat.

LoopyLoops · 02/11/2010 09:29

OP, I think you're being totally ridiculous. Have you got (and introduced to your son) a phobia of food? Why is sweeping food so much worse than arts and crafts stuff?
Good grief, I would hate to be a primary school teacher if parents are so pathetically uptight.

southeastastra · 02/11/2010 09:29

so they have to stop 'playing' at year 6?? of course they don't - it's very important

i have cleared halls after 30 children had luch and it's awful, hardly comparable to washing up and cleaning at home.