To speak to school about this?

[MmeLindor]

DD is in first year (Scotland). We live on the edge of a pretty rough estate, and some of the kids in her class are quite disruptive in class.

She's been complaining recently about having to miss activities, e.g. in science and home ec, because some of the kids are messing around. So the teachers say, 'this class is so badly behaved, I can't trust you to do an experiment safety', so they just do written work.

I asked DD if it was always the same people who were misbehaving, and she started listing kids who behaved well, 'cause it's easier than saying who misbehaves'.

Those who mess around are given a 'task', which she thinks is writing lines. Some kids get a task at least once a day.

AIBU to think that a) they need to think of a new punishment/consequence since the tasks don't seem to be making any difference, and b) it's unfair to the well-behaved kids to miss fun activities because of the others.

Any tips on how to approach this?

ah, thanks.

I know - I thought they had to do inspections more often than that! Maybe delayed by the potential school closure.

From your first post I was going to suggest moving her.

Shouldn't really make a difference. I think that, due to the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, things were a bit up in the air for a while, but not the case now. There shouldn't really be 9 years-ish between inspections. There were 7 years between inspections in the last school I worked at. Which probably means my current school will be inspected soon.

Wonder if it has been done, but not yet published then.

Interesting to see that a lot of you think moving her is not unreasonable. I'm kicking myself for not sending her to the better school in the first place.

No need to beat yourself up, you chose what was best for her at the time. I think you'd be surprised how much movement of pupils there is between schools.

My secondary school was like this and it damaged my education as I just couldn't learn in class (I couldn't learn at home either as my family were far from the studious type). I really would move her. Schools will come out with all sorts of promises but, at the end of the day, she won't get another shot at secondary school, maybe a taster day first though just incase it's the same but you don't know it.

FWIW, ds is at a private school and the boys behave like this in one of the lessons so it may not be down to the rough estate.

It's sometimes just the mix of pupils in one class. I have a good rapport with my classes and get very good results... apart from one class, where keeping them in their seats for a lesson is an achievement. I've managed to get half of them through a qualification this year, I deserve a bloody medal.

Thanks, Backward.

LadyS
I might have a look at the other school, and see how it is first. Will also speak to her friend's mum, because I know she's unhappy too. Would be easier to move them both.

backward
DS's class was like that. His current teacher is amazing and has sorted them out. I'm trying to think who to bribe, to ensure that he gets her next year too!

Good luck

My friend's a primary school teacher, has been for 18 years. In the 18 years she's needed to go off sick once due to stress from one class, as have all of the other teachers who have taught them. It can be the luck of the draw, sadly, for teachers and other children who want to work. I don't know what the causes are as there must be so many

LadyS
It's amazing how sometimes the combination of kids can make the class so terrible. Must be really hard for teachers to cope with.

Terribly so. Poor love had an awful time I hope you get things sorted. Go with your gut.

YANBU but on the other hand you would not want your DC getting burned because of these idiots clowning about.

I spoke to her guidance teacher, and have an appointment to see him on Monday, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

Good luck!