To think that secondary schools should not make children do desk duty

[ReallyTired]

My son's school gets each child to spend a day on the front desk on reception doing errands. They miss a whole day of lessons to do the job that frankly should be done by paid staff. I feel its wrong that parents get fined for taking their children out of school, but schools are allowed to waste children's time doing cr*p.

Why on earth would you be surprised at my use of the word 'tosh'?

I guess it could be beneficial if it's set up properly. But I don't know how many schools do it in a constructive way.

I liked it when I did it, but that was because I didn't have to do any lessons. We sat in reception all day doing nothing until somebody wanted a note sent to a certain class. That was pretty much it. Not sure how that benefitted my education in any way.

Fair enough. You think my vocabulary is dated. Not sure how that relates to my feelings about using pupils for reception duty which I still think is a poor use of their time. There are many extra curricular things that schools do which can build confidence and communication skills - DofE, CCF, Young Enterprise etc. and all of the clubs and societies running - without using pupils in this way.

My son will do desk duty once in year 8. I am sure that it does teach skills, but I don't want him missing a day's teaching.

All the skills of "desk duty" can be taught during properly organised work experience. A twelve year old does not need to do desk duty. They need to attend lessons.

I agree ReallyTired.

Besides, if they didn't exploit the little urchins in the manner of Dickensian chimney sweeps, then the schools would have to employ real life "runners" and that would take away a considerable amount of their budget.

When my dd did it she came home absolutely exhausted. Was busy busy busy running errands over a huge school campus.

I absolutely cannot in any way shape or form get worked up about this.

My ds's school does this with the year 7's, and I think it's great. Ds really enjoyed his day and it gave him a really good insight into how the school runs.

I might have had reservations if he didn't have great attendance and it was right before exam time, or he was struggling with one if the subjects he'd miss, but in reality it was very beneficial.

And if they miss one day of lessons in Year 8 they will fail all their gcses. Is that what you're worried about Really Tired?

It gives them an idea of skills needed in an office, such as answering a phone and taking a message

Oh, the high aspirations and educational ambition of the state sector.

Our school does it. Some students love it, others don't. It's a mini work experience, gives the students responsibility and allows them to see another side to school life.

Why does your son, a pupil, need to know how the school runs?

I am glad I work in a school where this would be never be considered. In fact teachers would be annoyed as those pupils missing would miss valuable lessons and teachers would then have to ensure that they caught everything up. It is very difficult to get pupils our of lessons for educational workshops/trips during the school day so this scheme would never wash with the Headmaster.

Sorry that should have said 'out' not 'our'. My apologies.

I work in an office. Even the Directors answer the phone and take messages........

I think it's a great idea.

"Oh, the high aspirations and educational ambition of the state sector."

See, that's the sort of comment I'd call a load of old tosh.

And none of the 3 directors even went to private school, fancy that!!!

Can you imagine such a thing?

I did this back in the day. Loved it and got a prize for my dedication to admin tasks.

Some parents are so precious. It's ONE day!

And if they miss one day of lessons in Year 8 they will fail all their gcses. Is that what you're worried about Really Tired?

There is far more to school than exams. I know my son's teachers work hard to produce interesting lessons. I want my son to have the benefit of their hard work. If my son misses an art lesson in year 8 it won't affect him one bit at GCSE as he wants to drop Art like a hot brick. However I still want him to attend his Art lesson for his general education.

He has his whole life ahead of him to do shit boring jobs if he wants to. At the moment I want him to experience school lessons. Attendence is insideous. Maybe one day off doesn't make much of a difference, but it all adds up.

I feel that if parents cannot take their children out of lessons then the school should not take children out of lessons for desk duty.

minty - they even make you a cuppa too, in MUGS occasionally

We are clearly in the minority ReallyTired.

My dd will spend 1 out of 1330 secondary school days doing reception duty. I just can't get worked up about that!

Coolas I know you wrote on another thread you were educated at Wycombe Abbey.

Therefore A question for you : Would Wycombe Abbey have its pupils doing such things as manning a Reception desk, or is that for potential receptionists from state Comprehensives ?.