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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want DD to miss assembly for extra reading time?

31 replies

ICameOnTheJitney · 30/09/2013 16:39

Fully prepared to be told if IABU. DD is 5 and in year 1....she's in a focus group to help her come on a bit faster with her reading. I do read with her daily and she enjoys it...but today she came home and I asked her "What was good about school today?" and she said "Oh...that I didn't have to go to assembly but stayed in the classroom to read with MissX." Miss X is a TA.

DD seemed happy about this arrangement but I'm not. Assembly is an important part of the day...why, if it's important is DD missing it to read?

I understand that they might think it's quieter or something but I'm still not happy. Shall I ask about it incase DD has got it mixed up or something and if she hasn't...then shall I ask that it doesn't happen again?

OP posts:
Tuppenceinred · 30/09/2013 16:41

Why don't you find out what the school is actually doing, why they are doing it, and for how long? That might be a good start.

Original poster
ICameOnTheJitney · 30/09/2013 16:41

Well it sounds clear...DD is doing her extra reading with the TA during assembly.

OP posts:
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 30/09/2013 16:43

What's so important about assembly?

jacks365 · 30/09/2013 16:43

What is clear is that on 'one' occasion your dd stayed to read to the ta. School assemblies will not make as big a difference to your dd as confidence in reading will.

SantanaLopez · 30/09/2013 16:43

Well, when do you want her to do the extra? She can't miss class time, and definitely not playtime or lunchtime.

WilsonFrickett · 30/09/2013 16:44

Well, assembly is an important part of the day, but then every part of the day is important iyswim. Especially when you're 5, it's dull, wriggly, boring time - I can see why she'd prefer to do her reading. I also imagine it's a good time to get 1-1 time with the TA as everyone else will be together.

So I'm on the fence about this one really...

BrokenSunglasses · 30/09/2013 16:44

What part of the school day do you think should be sacrificed for extra reading practice?

clam · 30/09/2013 16:45

You mean, she did today. That doesn't mean it will be every day.

We've had this debate at our school - Assembly time is important, but also an invaluable 20 mins or so when you can really target those who need a bit of extra help. Our compromise is that if ever we do keep anyone back, it's done on a rotating basis, (Monday one week, Tuesday the next and so on) so they don't miss the same type of Assembly all the time. But strictly speaking, we're not supposed to do it.

BackforGood · 30/09/2013 16:46

Why on earth wouldn't you want it? Confused
It seems an excellent use of time to me, rather than having 2 adults from one class sitting in assembly with the children, but to use {at least} one of them for some additional support is something really positive.
You can ask if it's going to be a once a week thing or an every day thing or if it's a 'for a set number of days or weeks' thing, but I'd be delighted if any of my dc were given this additional support.

YouTheCat · 30/09/2013 16:46

Would you rather she was missing literacy or numeracy? Hmm

YABsoU

I'm a TA. You have to take kids when you can get them. Assembly is a perfectly good time to do this. I personally try to vary the times when I get children so that they don't miss the same thing every day.

gobbynorthernbird · 30/09/2013 16:49

I can't see why you think an assembly is more important than your child reading.

kay1975 · 30/09/2013 16:49

My 6 year old sometimes misses assembly, hymn practice, liturgy, PE or DT for extra help with his reading/writing/maths, does bother me or him really! It's actually amazing how much he has benefited and progressed from a little extra help!

Murdermysteryreader · 30/09/2013 16:52

You are being very unreasonable. The ability to read effectively is possibly the single most important thing that your child needs to learn to access the rest of the curriculum. Your school has identified that she would benefit from extra one to one support and is providing it. Your daughter is enjoying it- butt out and let the school do its job!

BetsyBidwell · 30/09/2013 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 30/09/2013 16:56

OMG your kid is getting extra help and support and your moaning she missed assemble? Good grief. This extra help is like gold dust in some schools , would you rather she kissed lessons or play time instead?

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 30/09/2013 16:57

Missed

culturemulcher · 30/09/2013 16:59

Betsy that's hardly a constructive comment, is it?

livinginwonderland · 30/09/2013 16:59

YABVU. Assembly is nowhere NEAR as important as extra reading practise.

BarbarianMum · 30/09/2013 17:00

This is how it's done at my boys school BUT there are several assemblies a week and each child needing additional help only misses one. Which seems pretty reasonable to me.

As others have said, when do you think they should do it (bearing in mind that your dd is likely one of quite a few requiring a littler additional input)?

CrohnicallyLurking · 30/09/2013 17:01

Agree with the other school staff. If a child needs extra help with reading/writing/numeracy, why would you take them out of literacy or numeracy to do it? We try to get extra support groups in during registration and assembly times as this is usually the only time TAs are free to provide 1-1 or small group work in the mornings, there is less disruption to the core lessons of literacy and numeracy (and many TAs are not employed in the afternoons when other lessons are going on).

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 30/09/2013 17:05

Are you the same poster who was worried about the reading levels after overhearing parents at a party and wanted reassurance there wasn't a problem? If it is you then it wasn't that long ago and you said that you would talk to teacher to find out what was going on so she in fact has acted very quickly in order to help your dd and you should be really thankful something's being done.

If it's not I apologise.

ShadeofViolet · 30/09/2013 17:09

I support children whose reading is judged to be poor (although I am a volunteer)

Its very easy to do it in assembly - the child doesn't miss much, but its also easier at that time to find somewhere quiet where the child can read confidently but wont be distracted. In normal class time, quiet places are at a premium.

What do you rhink is important about assembly?

haggisaggis · 30/09/2013 17:09

Wish it was the same at our school - our learning support teacher advised me she was not allowed to remove dd from assembly / French etc for language / numeracy work as every child had to to be offered the same opportunities..dd can not do basic maths (at 11 years old) and I would much rather she had the additional help than go to assembly or do French.

Growlithe · 30/09/2013 17:12

I'd be snapping their hand off for the extra help if she needed it, and let them prioritise her time.

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 30/09/2013 17:14

Funnily enough,my DD (age 5,yr1) came home with the exact same story today,except she was not happy about it.

I,however,am.

I'd much rather she spent one on one time learning to read in a quiet space,than sitting listening to a load of drivel in assembley.

I was sad that She left out though.