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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Detention

85 replies

rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 18:48

I was disgusted when I found my boy got detention because he didn't get enough spellings right in a test.And we worked hard on

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/10/2017 19:40

They can keep them at lunch though!

chitofftheshovel · 22/10/2017 19:41

I'd be pretty cross if mine was put on detention for that. And yes I would follow it up with the school. I'm really interested as to what the words were. I'm educated to degree level in an English based subject and there are words which I can never get my head around.

ComingUpTrumps · 22/10/2017 19:41

OP I really don't mean to be rude - I'm just wondering if English is your first language.

The way that you write some of your posts suggests that English might not be your first language. Could this perhaps be why it was difficult for you to help your son to learn the spellings?

Original poster
rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 19:43

No Wolfie I wasn't accusing you of being troll at all.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/10/2017 19:45

Oh good. I'm often a bit brief on here. On phone. Worry I seem rude!
One thought. Did he copy the words down or were they on a sheet? He didn't copy them wrong did he? My daft bugger in Y10 would! Grin

Allthebestnamesareused · 22/10/2017 19:45

Without wanting to appear rude is English your first language as your phraseology does not sound as though it is? Is that why he is finding it difficult?

Has your son previously not performed well in spelling or been asked specifically to work on his spelling because it is very unusual to still have spelling lists and tests in secondary. If he hasn't scored well they msy be assuming he hasn't completed his homework task of learning the words.

Original poster
rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 19:46

Well say that was rude why it people always pick on people on these post about Grammer and spelling.This isn't a post about me.I'm English by the way.

OP posts:
RebelFreddyVSRogueJason · 22/10/2017 19:47

Ok if you’re going into school anyways,just don’t go in all guns blazing. Find out the reason for detention first (an 11 yo’s reason and a teacher’s reason won’t often match) and then decide if it’s reasonable or not.

chickenowner · 22/10/2017 19:47

Why would a troll use the words to pick on you?

You sound paranoid.

Wolfiefan · 22/10/2017 19:48

I don't think they're trying to be rude. Some of your posts are a bit hard to read.
I suck at Maths. I am NOT the person to help anyone with Maths. No really. I totally suck!
If you find spelling difficult then helping him might be counter productive. (Now I can't spell that lol!)

RainbowPastel · 22/10/2017 19:48

The only person being rude is you and accusing people of trolling.

Sirzy · 22/10/2017 19:48

I think when you get in touch with the teacher it may well come out there is a lot more to this than he is letting on.

Actually have you told him yet you will be talking to the teacher?

Original poster
rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 19:50

Can we stop please talking how uneducated you think I'm which is rude and in my opinion not nice.

OP posts:
chickenowner · 22/10/2017 19:50

I think when you get in touch with the teacher it may well come out there is a lot more to this than he is letting on.

I agree. Children often fabricate things to make themselves look good, and sadly some parents believe them and get angry at the teachers.

Original poster
rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 19:54

Me too Wolfie I can't do maths at all his dad help him maths.

OP posts:
wowbutter · 22/10/2017 19:54

Try harder next time, or do the detention and get on with it.
I don't see what the issue is?
Every school I have taught in has a consequence system if they get less than expected on spellings. From year three upwards.
It's important to learn to spell. It hardly matters if you know the words or not. Find out what they mean and learn to spell em!

Leeds2 · 22/10/2017 19:55

When you say that "they have to find the words themselves," do you mean that there wasn't actually a list of words to learn, but your son had to find the words himself (maybe clues/definitions etc given), and then learn them? If so, is it possible that he didn't find the correct words in the first place?

crunchtime · 22/10/2017 19:56

there is no shame to be had in not being 'as educated' as you might be.
You type as if English is not your first language therefore if you are English, then perhaps writing does not come easily to you. Which goes some way to explaining why your son is finding literacy difficult too.

I am sorry if that sounds rude but it's true.

There are loads of adult literacy courses that you can go on to help you improve which will mean that you can help your son more.

HighwayDragon1 · 22/10/2017 20:00

Standard in our school. You need to perform as well as your expected target. If your target is 8/10 and you score a 5 then yes, you redo. These targets are set (in year 7) by SATs results, and later on in the school by a mix of professional predictions and projections from SATs.

We do spelling tests all the way through to year 11 and it has definitely helped, the vocabulary the kids use head widened and their work is better for it.

steff13 · 22/10/2017 20:00

You said they don't teach the words; do they not give him a list of the words? I don't think he should get detention for getting a bad grade, but have you considered getting him some extra help?

BadPolicy · 22/10/2017 20:03

I got detention for this once in school, it was actually maths homework. Teachers logic was if you hadn't learnt the spellings then you hadn't done the homework. I think she gave us a pass mark of 9 out of 10. It seemed very unreasonable at the time, but on reflection I can see the logic.

ilovesooty · 22/10/2017 20:11

Schools no longer have to give 24 hours notice for detention.

However it appears that the OP has decided she's going in to speak to the school anyway. I hope she's planning to get more information about the circumstances than she seems to have now.

Wolfiefan · 22/10/2017 20:14

Really Sooty?
That would be a bugger for us as we are rural and there's only one bus! Shock

Original poster
rushgirl28 · 22/10/2017 20:15

I have never heard of people getting detention for this.I grew up in a different world.

OP posts:
IncyWincyGrownUp · 22/10/2017 20:16

One of my daughter’s teachers tried that this term.

I called the head of year and made it quite clear that if the teacher tried to use the behaviour policy for a lack of academic ability I would simply collect my child at 3pm every day until the teacher in question understood that he was being ridiculous. Head of year agreed that punishing a child who is otherwise very diligent with homework with a detention for a lack of spelling ability was not on. There has been no further mention of detentions.