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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be furious that my daughter's school thinks educating her includes...

158 replies

northernlurker · 16/09/2013 18:25

Taking YRs 7-11 off timetable for a day next month.....

sending them on a 10 mile walk..................

for which they will need to be sponsored by us..........

TO PAY FOR A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING!

So my two daughters lose a day's school which my Yr 11 daughter, already stressed to the max by all her A* targets (thanks school), can ill afford and I'm supposed to pay actual cash for this?

Is it me or is this absolutely unreasonable?

OP posts:
youbethemummylion · 17/09/2013 07:42

We did one every year and our school had excellent exam results so I cant see how it damaged our education. Its one day! School is about more than just sitting at a desk learning.

manicinsomniac · 17/09/2013 07:44

I think it sounds like a great idea, it's early in the school year and it's one day. Yes, for the children who walk regularly the educational benefit is reduced, but it's certainly there in principle. With many teenagers you'd think they were allergic to walking.

I'm shocked by those who say it's too far (I know that's not the OP). When I was in Y10 our school took us off timetable to do the sponsored Keswick to Barrow walk which is 40 miles! We didn't even feel the first 10-15 miles and I was by no means a sporty kid. No teenager (barring those with certain, but definitely not all, illnesses and disabilities) should find 10 miles taxing at all.

I definitely remmeber that 40 mile walk a lot more than all the days spent in lessons - it was a very valuable life experience. School is not just classroom learning.

exoticfruits · 17/09/2013 07:44

People have such a narrow view of education.

JuliaScurr · 17/09/2013 07:48

don't we pay council tax to build schools?

catsmother · 17/09/2013 07:51

No-one (I think) has commented on another aspect of this - the £15 reward for the child who raises the most money. Now, it's stuff like that which really makes my hackles rise as this reward will be in direct relation to whichever child a) knows lots of people b) knows generous sponsors and/or a combination of both. On the day, assuming no accidents or illness, all the children will be making the same effort by completing a 10 mile walk - yet this reward has nothing to do with their effort and everything to do with who they know. Quite clearly, that reward will be unachievable for kids with small social circles and/or less well off / less generous family and friends. I just find it kind of ironic that potentially the child with well off parents who's making no greater physical effort than anyone else then gets rewarded for being in a fortunate position in the first place. If the school has £15 to give away - and it's not based on effort or achievement - which all kids arguably stand a chance at - then you'd think they could devise a way of getting that money to a less fortunate pupil.

Sorry to go off topic but when I read of kids being rewarded for sponsorship it always bugs me.

Lazyjaney · 17/09/2013 07:54

There go the A*.......

YABU.

Original poster
northernlurker · 17/09/2013 08:21

I have already said that I honestly do not give a stuff about the A*s.
One day won't make any difference to dds EXCEPT that dd1 will inevitably be given more work to do at home because they're 'missing' the lesson time.

Dds don't want me to make a fuss (spoilsports). Perhaps I could station myself half way round witha blackboard for them to do a quick bit of algebra on.......Grin

Catsmother has an excellent point about the sponsorship prize.

Incidentally this is the school which when your child starts asks for £5 for the school fund, saying 'we'll never ask you for money again' I don't mind the £5 but they could spare us the myth.

OP posts:
whatever5 · 17/09/2013 09:16

I wouldn't mind my daughter doing it but if your daughter is fit anyway and also stressed with all the academic work/exams this year it's obviously not a good time for her. I would suggest that she doesn't go to school that day and revises for her GCSEs instead if she would be happier doing that. l

I think that it would be better to do this kind of thing at the end of the school year after exams have finished.

olidusUrsus · 17/09/2013 13:15

What is the educational aspect of walking along side a ditch of water for 10 miles I have missed?

I agree it would be great if they were taught how to actively de-stress, but I don't think a sponsored 10 mile walk with your mates is the way to do it. They'll have fun yeah, but de-stress?

Would be ace if they could get a therapist/art-/drama-therapist into the school for a session to learn proper de-stressing techniques though.

SirChenjin · 17/09/2013 13:38

Good point oilidus

theodorakisses · 17/09/2013 14:47

Oh golly, not a whole day off school! Think of the affect this will have on their education. Call the village elders, summon the army, in years to come the universities will be empty because a bunch of kids had a day off to do something worthy.

specialsubject · 17/09/2013 14:50

it teaches the lesson to ask to be sponsored for doing something that most people would do anyway, i.e. exercise.

sponsored helping in a care home? Sponsored litter pick? Sponsored sorting out garden for someone who can't? Sponsored doing something else useful?

funny these never come up.

mummymeister · 17/09/2013 15:24

well said specialsubject. if they want to take a day out doing something to raise money why don't they also do something that supports their local community. hadn't even thought of that. now hoping that my DC's school suggest a sponsored walk so that I can counter it with this!! agree with posters who think giving a reward to the kid with the richest family and friends oops sorry that should read the kid who raises the most sponsorship money is terribly wrong. OP you say "will need to be sponsored" have they actually said she cant put in a sheet with nothing on it?

mumeeee · 17/09/2013 15:24

YABU it"s one day off timetable and a 10 mile walk. EXercise actually de stresses you.

mummymeister · 17/09/2013 16:20

it might de stress you mumeee but it would have completely the opposite effect on me. it also assumes that you aren't fat, asthmatic and out of condition (all 3 of which I am) 10 mile runs, cross country and the like was just another reason for me to feel crap about myself as a teenager. many will be in my shoes I would think.

Ireallymustbemad · 17/09/2013 16:28

Back to the OP - YANBU to be not too keen on the idea, YABU to waste so much energy being 'furious' about it.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 17/09/2013 16:47

YANBU imo such an activity should be voluntary and done after school or at weekend, raising money for the school is not part of the curriculum. I have no problem with it being done but not in school time. Like others have said, if you wanted to fund raise for a charity outside school would she be allowed a day out to do a walk or other event? nope wrong on many levels for me at this stage of education. younger ok but not when exam pressure is looming. hope she is getting some support in learning good revision / studying techniques it made all the difference for my DS with AS levels as it hit him hard how difficult they were compared to GCSE and he went into a bit of a stressy meltdown.... once he had the techniques he relaxed a bit and it changed his outlook a lot. good luck.

curlew · 17/09/2013 16:56

I am soooo glad that both my childrens' schools seem to have a slightly broader interpretation of "education" than many on here. Still not broad enough, obviously, but at leas broader than some!

SunshineMMum · 17/09/2013 16:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buggedoff · 17/09/2013 17:24

NL, you are one of my favourite posters on MN. I never disagree with you, but I'm afraid YAB a teensy bit U. Sorry.

I hope your children enjoy their day of hiking. Even if they personally do not manage to raise any cash, they will have a great day with their friends. They will be out in the fresh air. They can moan together about their blisters and come home with the satisfaction that they have accomplished something.

SirChenjin · 17/09/2013 17:37

Yep, kids tend to have a great time whenever they get together with their friends - but I wonder if the school would be quite so enthusiastic about them all getting together and announcing that they were doing a sponsored walk in aid of the local hospice or whatever, and so would be taking the day off school just before their exams - or would the school take a less than enthusiastic view of their plans?

I'm guessing the latter.

mumeeee · 17/09/2013 18:29

mummymeister I don't mean that all teenagers should be made to. go on long walks especially if there is a good reason not to, I was talking in general. The OP didn't say her DD was unable to do the walk and said she was stressed. with het year 11 work. I was just saying that doing this walk might helo her be less stressed

Original poster
northernlurker · 17/09/2013 18:50

I have to say I am little bit Confused the idea that one 10 mile trek will reduce her stress levels. Not really that simple tbh. If an adult asked for help with work related stress on here yes regular exercise would be suggested to help but not as a cure all. She does swim regulalrly and am encouraging her to do more btw.

OP posts:
Adviceisfree · 17/09/2013 19:10

Educationally speaking, it will be covered under Citizenship so is actually educational!!!!

Just suck it up and let them learn the value of their contribution to society.

Although, i guess if your Yr 11 will not reap the rewards next year I can see why she would be stressed!

SirChenjin · 17/09/2013 19:28

They could still make a contribution to society in another way that doesn't involve a day away from school though