To think school shouldn't refuse my child lunch

[Rathercrossaboutthis]

DS (12) forgot his school lanyard today. He's a well behaved boy who rarely forgets things (although it causes him much anxiety to stay on top of things not least because he has HF ASD). He called me in a panic en route to school as at this school forgetting the lanyard is a behaviour point, if not a detention offence, but it was too late for me to do anything.

He just told me that he was refused entry into the canteen for not having his lanyard (even though you don't actually need the lanyard to purchase lunch as there's a "thumb print" system). The teacher concerned was apparently very unpleasant when he tried to explain and shouted 'No lanyard. No lunch". He actually usually has packed lunch and goes to a "quiet room" for this so tried to go there to ask one of the SEN staff for help but again he was blocked by this teacher. He was told he was only allowed to lessons but nowhere else.

Ok I know he broke a rule by forgetting his lanyard but surely they can't punish him by refusing him lunch??? For all this teacher knew he could've been diabetic or something.

WIBU to complain?

I would go to the school formally and ask for an investigation rather than make a complaint.

That way you look more reasonable, and if the teacher is found to have done something wrong they will still get a bollocking. Plus you can then escalate it if you feel it necessary.

Don't be silly. How can Mumsnet help you figure out what happened? You came here asking if you should complain.

Yes. Initially. But then I requestioned him and got a slightly different story and updated the thread. RTFT. Now who's being silly?

You say it's very possible he might have misunderstood the teacher's instruction, as he misunderstands quite often.

Therefore, I don't really get the reasoning behind starting this thread?

Surely you'd just speak to the school, to find out if there was a misunderstanding?

X posted

Anyway, obviously you need to speak to someone at the school.

Poor kid must have been very hungry without his lunch.

Maybe contact the school and see if he could get a spare one to keep in his locker or ask what the exact procedure he should follow if it happens agajn

I'm a primary school Cook, we're not allowed to refuse ANY child lunch, doesn't matter what the reason!! The teacher in question needs a sharp lesson!!

Yes. Initially. But then I requestioned him and got a slightly different story and updated the thread. RTFT. Now who's being silly?

You, love. Because your FIRST step should have been to talk to the school, not to go ranting to MN.

Watch out, WorraLiberty, she'll accuse you of not reading the thread because she doesn't like your answer.

A lanyard FGS! - I simply don't believe it! What is the point of it? Is it simply there to raise the risk of kids strangling each other on the playground? What an utterly ridiculous piece of nonsense is that!!!

Unfortunately it's necessary.

A missing teen from out of our area turned up in my DDs class - she'd 'run away' from home, travelled to a friends house near us where she'd spent the weekend, then on the Monday morning, borrowed a uniform from the friend and turned up at the school as part of a group, thinking she could just blend in.
Fortunately, safeguarding procedures picked her up straight away but lanyards and ID badges are a key part of identification in schools these days

peng

They would be seeing me that morning.

He didnt willfully break a rule. He forgot anyone can forget something, even that arse hole of a teacher.
To deliberately leave your ds without food is not only out of order its down right cruel and lacking in child welfare
Twist it around the other way. He goes into school and says " My mum refused to give me any tea. They'd be calling this neglect.
Also how was he supposed to be concentrate in any of his afternoon lessons, if we was hungry. People are like cars. We simply can't function without energy.
I think you're more than within your rights to complain

They would be seeing me because (if it were my child) he hadn't eaten during the school day.

He had been refused lunch. He has ASD. There is no excuse for any child in 2017 to be refused food at school. None.

Why can't the teachers, by default, treat pupils with respect and listen to them?

I have to wear a Lanyard to work. If I forget it, there are procedures. No one shouts at me, denies me access to lunch (which work provides) and I can have a conversation about it.

As a teacher, there is a fairly good chance you'll come into contact with several children who need extra assistance throughout the day for manifold reasons - why not start out with a 'how can I make this easier?' attitude rather than all the jobsworth shit we keep reading about?

I'm dreading my son progressing through school.

Right ok

You, love. Because your FIRST step should have been to talk to the school, not to go ranting to MN.

I had an upset child on my hands who had no lunch and yes I did believe what he was telling me initially. It was the helpful answers on here (with one exception) that made me requestion him before approaching school and gave me an insight into how schools can operate. As a result, I will not be complaining but will let them know what happened so that strategies can be put in place for DS and others like him.

Rathercrossaboutthis

Unfortunately many won't bother with your update and are just happy to slate the teacher.

For what its worth, I would talk to the SENCO about putting procedures in place in case this happens again.

That's shocking behaviour from the teacher. Poor child.

OP, it sounds to me from what info you've given that what has probably happened is:

1. Your son didn't have his lanyard
2. Whoever was on duty has been told 'no lanyard no entry' and they have to enforce that. Duties rely on consistency.
3. They've told him to go to his head of year (who would, based on any school I've worked in, sort out an emergency lunch arrangement)
4. In a panic (or whatever reason), he's not gone to his head of year.
5. As a result he hasn't eaten

That sounds logical based on my experiences and the info you've given.

It's worth calling the school, but don't go all guns blazing.

Obviously, if they have unilatetally refused him then that would be wrong. But I'd say on balanve of probability it is unlikely.

I will not be complaining but will let them know what happened so that strategies can be put in place for DS and others like him

Good plan op.

You're seeing some crazy on here. I'd just flip on past it.

Cray cray,,,,,

Some school staff (a tiny minority) are complete Jobsworths, and speak to you with dictatorial contempt as some sort of default setting. I suspect that the teacher involved in this debacle may have been just such a one.