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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Dd missing PE/lunch break to catch up on work.

16 replies

pumpkinpie5 · 19/05/2015 22:05

My 5year old dd came home from school today and I asked her how her say was, did she enjoy her PE lesson etc. she said I didn't do PE mummy because I had to stay in and finish my work. Last week she told me she was made to stay in all lunchtime to finish her work. She's not naughty or chatty in class-she's actually very conscientious and tries hard. She's doing v well and was in top sets in reception but seems to be going backwards in year one. I don't care where she is in terms of the rest of her class but AIBU 1) to think she shouldn't be kept in at lunchtime or miss PE (which she loves) when she's doing her best and not being naughty and 2) to worry why all of a sudden she seems to be struggling to keep up given that she was flying last year?

OP posts:

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 19/05/2015 22:12

PE is part of the national curriculum. It is no more or less important than maths or English. She should be doing it.

WorraLiberty · 19/05/2015 22:15

You need to speak to the teacher.

It's unusual to keep a child in at lunch to finish work if they haven't been naughty/disruptive.

Either way, she should be doing PE.

LindyHemming · 19/05/2015 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Willow33 · 19/05/2015 22:23

Yes as PP said. Speak to the class teacher to find out the reason.

Original poster

pumpkinpie5 · 19/05/2015 22:26

Im glad that it's not just me questioning this. I agree re the PE comments, I think it's important she does this. She's also a sensitive girl and I'm worried that it worries her when she's kept in away from her friends like this. There are a few of them she says that have been kept back each time, but if they haven't finished work from one lesson I do t think that means they should miss the next? I will definitely speak to the teacher. I don't even mind if they send the work home with her and we do it at home. She concentrates well at home and we always set aside time for reading and homework which she never struggles with - another reason I am questioning what's going on at school?

OP posts:

CitySnicker · 19/05/2015 22:26

Sounds like she's falling behind. Is she a daydreamer?

momtothree · 19/05/2015 22:27

Agree pe is a set lesson. Is it just her or are others held back? Ask the teacher, mention if theres an issue then she should be speaking to you.., extra work home? Explain you are a supportive parent and want to help.

FresherThanYou · 19/05/2015 22:28

I didn't think pe was compulsory in reception? Sorry but she must be slow though otherwise she wouldn't be kept in. This happens in dcs school too.

Whensmyturn · 19/05/2015 22:28

Is she being conscientious and therefore working a little slower than others who might rush through their work.

Original poster

pumpkinpie5 · 19/05/2015 22:32

I didn't think she was a daydreamer but maybe she is. I will see what the teacher says. It's a tricky one because she's very bright so I don't think she's struggling to keep up due to not understanding. She's in top groups for reading and maths and in group 2 of 5 for literacy. The others who have been kept in with her have been from the bottom group. I know the arts as I used to do one day a week in their class. It's very puzzling. I can't really work out what's going on.

OP posts:

Izzy82 · 19/05/2015 22:33

Definitely speak to the teacher- but approach it in a non confrontational manner. I'm not accusing your daughter of fobbing but, as a teacher, I have many a time been on the wrong end of an angry parent who hasn't got the whole story. it may be that your daughter didn't miss ALL of lunch but that it felt like longer of all her friends were outside.
That said, if she didn't miss all of lunch, this is very bad practice. I've been teaching over 10 years and as a general rule, use the one minute per age of child for any time lost at lunch (so age 5, 5 mins max) but it would have to be very bad behaviour.
if teacher is using this regularly, your next step is the head (who may not be aware of such bad practice)

Original poster

pumpkinpie5 · 19/05/2015 22:33

Groups not arts

OP posts:

Mistigri · 19/05/2015 22:34

The reasons are irrelevant - a 5 year old needs breaks during the school day, and exercise. Speak to the school, this is really unacceptable whatever the justification.

Original poster

pumpkinpie5 · 19/05/2015 22:37

Izzy82 thank you. I have a good relationship with the teachers so won't be looking to be confrontational. I will try and find out what has been going on without taking dd's word as fact. I know probably all parents think their child isn't naughty etc but I genuinely think it is purely catching up on work and not that she has not been concentrating etc. she is very shy so previous parents eves had always been more about her having her head bent over her work and not engaging or asking questions so it's not for lack on concentration on her part. I do feel sorry for her because she tries so hard to please.

OP posts:

WombatStewForTea · 19/05/2015 23:01

Missing PE is unacceptable. I will keep kids in my class in for break time or part of lunch time to finish work. It isn't often and it isn't just for bad behaviour. If they've spent most of the lesson daydreaming or simply haven't put the effort in why shouldn't they give some of their time back? Another teacher in our school has kids in most days but they have their lunch first, go out to play for a bit then come in. I very much doubt your dd missed all of her lunch.
All that being said we're in the juniors and our infant counterparts don't keep children in.

Mermaidhair · 20/05/2015 02:44

Yanbu, poor little thing. It is important for her socially and physically that she doesn't miss lunch. I don't think it is fair at all, especially if she hasn't misbehaved. And I don't think it is right either that she missed out on Pe. It is still an important part of the school week. I would have a talk to the teacher, do it gently and kindly and offer to do missed work at home. You sound like such a great mum.

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