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

[StarOnTheTree]

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?

Don't forget to ask for a response in writing.

And what happens when one of the Year 4 children leaves the gate open and a younger one makes a break for it? Who's responsible?

Having jobs and the like is a fantastic idea and I'm all for it, but their plan just seems so badly thought out! A whole half term at a time is bonkers. As someone said unthread, it essentially splits the year in half. A few jobs on a rota once a week, twice at a push, yes, but this is just bizarre.

Dear OP,
I haven't rtft so you may already have been advised to copy in the chair of the governing body to your letter. If not please do so and ask for a response from the governing body as well as the HT. As a school governor I would be horrified by this and would be directly be challenging the HT about it. I would expect to see a detailed risk assessment that addressed the risks related the various jobs themselves and also the risks to the children's learning and wellbeing of not getting a proper break. I would also expect to see specific risk assessments for children requiring reasonable adjustments. Good luck and I hope your DD is feeling better soon.

OP have you heard back from the school?

I had a very successful meeting with the HT today and he agreed with me and therefore most of you too A new teacher had been trying to simplify the rota and this was the result. From now on the DC will do a week on and a week off and when they do jobs they're only for 15 minutes except when they're on buddy duty but even then they'll be with a friend or two and they'll be allowed to play together as well as with the younger children.

We also went through DD3's health issues and he's putting appropriate strategies into place to ensure that she doesn't have to do anything that will cause her more pain.

And we've just got DD3's rheumatology appointment through too

wow, that's rough but a better rota should help.
I'm in the kitchens at school and my wonderful year 4s do the tray scraping. Theyre in pairs or 3s and on for 20 min shifts usually once or twice a week and they rotate them at half terms.
I love the majority of my scrapers and could not do with out them xx

Glad to hear that the HT agreed with you and seems to have got things sorted out much more sensibly!

And good to hear too that they have recognised DD3's requirements and so will ensure that she won't need to do anything that causes her pain. Good luck at the rheumatology appointment - hope they are able to be of lots of help!

Thanks Zipzap The issues with school were all very easy to sort out once the HT was involved.

Now if only I could sort out the other issues in my life as easily

Well done! Common sense prevails!

Well done! Common sense prevails!