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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DD3 (9) having no lunch time play for 6 weeks

210 replies

StarOnTheTree · 12/04/2016 17:41

DD3 was really upset after school because every lunch time for the next 6 weeks half of the year 4s have to do jobs on a lunch time, generally looking after the younger kids, cleaning tables, etc. Her job is to get the equipment out in the playground and play with the little kids. She doesn't want to, she just wants to play with her own friends.

I spoke to the teacher who said that they HAVE to do these jobs and if they don't like what they're doing they can swap if another child agrees. Next half term the other half of year 4 will do it instead and then they'll carry on like this in year 5.

If it was just one day a week I wouldn't have a problem with it but every day other than eating lunch DD3 has to 'work'. AIBU to think that this is totally out of order?

OP posts:
merrymouse · 13/04/2016 09:11

It's still nuts - they need to be able to let off steam, run around a bit and play - do they have limited playground space? Are they just trying to remove children from the playground.

Stillunexpected · 13/04/2016 09:21

I wouldn't be at all happy. I'm all for giving kids responsibility but this sounds like a budgetary issue - the school don't have enough money to pay for proper supervision at lunch so they are using the pupils to do all the ancillary bits and just having a few supervisors to cover the playground. Also what happens to lunchtime clubs? In our primary, lots of things happen then - table tennis, choir, rounders, homework club - which mean that there will need to be constant juggling, swopping with friends, missing the club, forgetting where you are supposed to be or what you are supposed to be doing. If they want to give the kids a sense of responsibility there are lots of shorter, classroom-based tasks which will work just as effectively.

MrsHathaway · 13/04/2016 09:23

The teacher said that she'd already had a think and realised that the jobs are unequal so she's going to swap the jobs around weekly so that 'working' for the full lunch time will only happen for 1 week.

I think that that is a good general solution, but the teacher's proposed solution for DD's particular difficulties doesn't constitute a reasonable adjustment.

diddl · 13/04/2016 09:25

Did you question her on why the kids have to do them & what will happen if they don't?

Ie, who would do the jobs?

diddl · 13/04/2016 09:26

So some kids will be completely losing lunchtime play?

That can't be right can it?

DinosaursRoar · 13/04/2016 09:34

I think that's not a reasonable adjustment for your DD's condition, and would not bother speaking to the teacher anymore, but go to the Head. I'd also complain that any child is losing all of their lunchtime play for a week and it's not as form as punishment!

Have you talked to other parents? Are they aware of what's going on?

MartinaJ · 13/04/2016 09:39

I honestly see no reason why children shouldn't be thought a bit of responsibility. One week is really good for them to have some chores. I agree though that with your DD's condition she shouldn't be doing anything that's too demanding.

diddl · 13/04/2016 09:43

I don't think that they should be doing anything that takes up most/all of the lunch break.

Original poster
StarOnTheTree · 13/04/2016 09:44

It's 6 weeks Martina just that now it's going to be different jobs each week.

I agree about responsibility but every day for 6 weeks is too much. But it's the loss of a complete lunch break that is most unacceptable. DD3 is like a coiled spring waiting to be released when she leaves school so I dread to think what she'll be like with no down time at lunch time Sad

The teacher talked about responsibility, etc. and I agree but not like this.

OP posts:
CoraPirbright · 13/04/2016 09:45

I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties your dd has but even without those, I would be fuming at this! Children need to run around, play with their friends, use their imaginations, expend some energy! This is the best way to ensure better concentration in the pm classroom surely? I understand where some posters are coming from when they say that its good to learn responsibility/empathy etc but to lose your playtime entirely is simply not on. Jobs that take 5/10 mins leaving the rest of the time to play would be fine but not this! I would be livid and stirring up a revolt amongst the parents.

Original poster
StarOnTheTree · 13/04/2016 09:49

I've spoken to a few parents. It's like apathy central round these parts Sad

OP posts:
DinosaursRoar · 13/04/2016 09:49

I would go back into talk to the Head, say you agree with yoru DD being given responsibility but not giving up her break time - any of it.

Original poster
StarOnTheTree · 13/04/2016 09:53

Yes, I'm definitely going to send the head an email.

OP posts:
RidersOnTheStorm · 13/04/2016 10:32

Maybe the other parents think it's a good idea and you're being precious. I do.

Original poster
StarOnTheTree · 13/04/2016 10:37

That's why I started this thread Rider and it seems that most people agree with me.

OP posts:
TheSultanofPingu · 13/04/2016 10:38

I honestly don't think it will have anything to do with reducing the number of lunchtime supervisors.
A lot of schools are reintroducing this kind of thing. It gives children a bit of responsibility and hopefully helps to imorove self confidence.
In this case it does seem rather extreme though.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 13/04/2016 10:43

Riders - why is it a good idea for a 9-year-old to have NO lunchtime play for six weeks?

angelos02 · 13/04/2016 10:57

I think it is shocking. They are basically doing work that adults should be being paid to do. Playtime is for play - not chores.

thecitydoc · 13/04/2016 11:04

this is not acceptable. When I was in 5th form I turned down the opportunity to be a prefect as it would have meant supervising corridors, toilets cloakrooms at break and lunch time. Children need their play time - I would bring this up with HT/school governers.

thecitydoc · 13/04/2016 11:05

govenors

diddl · 13/04/2016 11:07

I remember doing stuff like handing out/collecting in books, paper, crayons/pe stuff in lesson time.

Generally putting away of stuff.

That's all.

If it was voluntary to play with younger kids/take them to the loo I think that it would be OK.

Seems OTT to me.

catewood21 · 13/04/2016 11:33

haven't read TFT but, apart from anything else, the younger children need to develop social relationships with each other.Social development is a major goal of early years.How cn this happen if the big kids are always playing with them?

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2016 11:54

rider why is it a good idea for a 9 year old primary school child to have no playtime everyday for 6 weeks, also getting them to help the little children, get equipment out, clean tables. Surely the school employ staff to do that, not young children at the cost of their play and down time!

MTPurse · 13/04/2016 12:02

I think this is awful, My ds is y5 and they certainly don't have to do anything like that.

I would not allow my ds to do it!

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2016 12:07

Some kids are cleaning tables and some have to take the little kids to the toilets. I don't think they're kids jobs at all

DD3 has hypermobility and is being investigated for possible arthritis but she'll feel under pressure to play with the kids even if she's in pain. At least playing in the normal way she can stop if she needs to. What a stupid thing to ask her to do angry

I would totally go nuclear, it is not her job to take kids to the toilet or play with them. Gosh they are cost cutting aren't they! Go to the HT and tell her that you do not give your dd permission to do these things, you will be contacting the LEA and OFSTEAD if this does not stop.

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