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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

School break times when raining, is this normal ?

145 replies

likecherrycola · 01/11/2013 10:06

Hi I am a long term lurker but never brave enough to post but need some opinions on this. My dd is in P1 and basically when it is wet or raining outside the children have to sit silently with the heads on their desks , this goes for break and lunch time. Is this normal ? it seems very ott to me , I thought maybe some colouring in etc would be more "normal". Would ibu to discuss with the teacher ? I know the other p1 class is the same so maybe its the whole school but it seems cruel especially since we live in scotland and it rains alot.

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 01/11/2013 18:58

I dont think there is a lot of play in P1 but they do active learning so arent just sitting doing workbooks all day. They will play maths games and do language tasks, etc but dont have sand/water tables or anything like that. They will do group work/partner work, etc too.

beatricequimby · 01/11/2013 19:01

likecherrycola
I am quite local to you and none of what you say about your dd's school in normal. My dd is also in P1 and each day begins with soft start - free play with loads of toys. They have house corner, loads of lego and building stuff, lots of drawing and craft stuff. Lots of play and games built into the day, lots of play equipment outside. The school playground may not have lots of fixed play equipment but would still expect balls, skipping ropes etc.

I would not set too much store by HMIE reports personally, your DD's experience of the school so far tells you more than a report. If I was you I would be looking at other schools.

Groovee · 01/11/2013 19:04

In my ds's school they have P7's come to look after them and they may play games, colour or get some board games out.

A learning assistant usually wanders round the area which usually has 4 classrooms each to keep an eye on them.

But I would be wondering why they don't have wet weather activities.

Idespair · 01/11/2013 19:05

Wet play in our school is boxes of toys in the classroom, play with what you want, who you want.

prettybird · 01/11/2013 19:25

At ds' primary school (non-denom in Glasgow) there was lots of play in P1 (= approx Reception). It is very much seen as transition from nursery to school.

Ds' school was/is bursting at the seams (they're building a new bigger one) so every inch of the place was used for role play areas, structured play, a wee "shop", all the books (no dedicated library any more) all sorts. It's also carpetted which means wet play is a nightmare - so it has to be really wet before they are kept in.

Just asked ds what they did - they said they'd draw (had special jotters) or just talk and sometimes play games. The TAs and P7s would "supervise" them.

So OP - it's not normal. I would have serious concerns about the school - to the extent that I'd both take it up with the Education Department and seriously (re?)consider the non-denom catchment school.

intitgrand · 01/11/2013 19:33

it sounds very unlikely to me. I suspect they have all got a bit rowdy in a wet playtime and they have been told to do this for 5 minutes to calm them down as a sort of time out.

Original poster

likecherrycola · 01/11/2013 20:09

Sorry for delay in updating I had a brief conversation with the teacher ( she was meeting with another parent) and she confirmed they do indeed sit with heads on desks in silenece only after they have eaten there snack or had their lunch but still very extream, I Have arranged to see the head on monday to ask for an explanation. Think we will be looking into moving to the other school asap :o.

OP posts:

Original poster

likecherrycola · 01/11/2013 20:10

completely wrong smiley

OP posts:

lborolass · 01/11/2013 21:25

Wow, I'm amazed the teacher has confirmed this, did she seem at all sheepish or if she disagreed with the policy?

Please do let us know how the HT justifies this and the absence of play equiment.

AllThatGlistens · 01/11/2013 21:55

Oh my god it's actually true?

How the hell have they ever passed inspection? Good god I hope the other parents are aware of this.

LightasaBreeze · 01/11/2013 21:57

maybe they are having a rest

Topseyt · 01/11/2013 22:17

So that confirms it then. I would definitely not be happy. Too weird for words.

It will be interesting to hear what the headteacher has to say on Monday.

Original poster

likecherrycola · 01/11/2013 22:43

lborolass she was very defensive, she made a huge point of how its after they eat their snack/lunch as if that makes it any better.
Will update on monday and also have a classmates party tomorrow so will get a chance to discuss with other parents. Very annoyed just now feel terrible for not believing her and for sending her there in the first place.

AllThatGlistens I have no idea how the passed this is just the last straw the other things werent major but this is cruel and not normal, Think a complaint is in order.

Topseyt Will update on monday morning vey tempted not to make dd go.

OP posts:

Donkeyok · 01/11/2013 23:06

This is too odd, I just dooooon't believe it!
Did you really post the wrong smiley or are you having us all on?

GeeTeeEff · 01/11/2013 23:13

Original poster

likecherrycola · 01/11/2013 23:13

I truely wish i was Donkeyok still not quite figured out smileys on here was aiming for the shocked one.

OP posts:

AllThatGlistens · 01/11/2013 23:27

I just find it unbelievable that such young children are being 'taught' this way, in 2013

I'd be horrified if this was happening in my child's school and I had no knowledge of it, my child wouldn't be going back, that's for sure.

Worried123456 · 02/11/2013 00:22

I'm not sure I actually believe this for a second! Is this a private school?

Look at their last Ofsted report online; I would love to read it!

Strumpetron · 02/11/2013 00:25

Honestly it happened to me and my class mates, which is why I'm not questioning her. Obviously I can't say this is true but it did/does happen!

Heartbrokenmum73 · 02/11/2013 00:27

At DS's new school, those with packed lunches (so, both my boys) sit in their classrooms to eat (despite the school having two massive halls) and they're not allowed to talk to one another! How can you make children of Reception age sit in silence while they eat? Mean or what?

octopusinastringbag · 02/11/2013 08:43

Maybe they discourage chatting as they take too long to eat when they are talking?! At my DS's school they sit at the tables to eat snack but they are allowed to chat - they specifically have them at the tables so it's a sociable, sharing meal time type of thing.

Hulababy · 02/11/2013 09:13

Shocking - hope you get on better with the HT.

I also think it is wrong to make children sit in silence during meal times too. Surely art of the meal time is to develop social skills - people chat over a meal. That is normal and what we should be teaching our children!

mateysmum · 02/11/2013 09:34

So on a wet day, these littlies are expected to be silent in class, silent at break and silent in the lunchroom!!!!!!

I'm all for good discipline in schools, but this borders on mild abuse.

I'm amazed the kids aren't all ready to explode by the end of the day.

When you speak to the head, perhaps you should try and also talk about the overall ethos of the school, the head's approach to child development and behaviour management. What is his vision for his pupils? I think that should give you more information on which to make your decision. If he is supportive of this silent treatment, I would grab your DD and run for the hills.

FriskyMare · 02/11/2013 09:39

What an outdated Victorian idea.

At my school, we are lucky to have a shelter in the playground and the children do go outside most days, unless it is really horrendous, even then we would try to get shifts outside and under the shelter to sing songs just to get some fresh air.

ifyouwish · 02/11/2013 16:25

Really sorry to read the teachers confirmed this. I'm genuinely shocked and horrified.

I would most definately be changing schools if this is how they treat the children. I'm not all hearts and flowers with my children, I'm much stricter than I thought I would be, as in 'sit at that table and do not even think about moving!' (when they're trying to murder each other).

I don't know much about ofsted, but I can't see this practise being backed by whoever checks schools systems.

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