Is this punishment acceptable?

[Robyrollover]

At school DC was told to stand at the front of class with arms outstretched holding a bean bag in each hand for not listening, for 5 minutes. Dc is 12.

AIBU if I complain?

It's a bit Victorian isn't it?
Not sure it's harmful but what's the thinking here! Distraction maybe, public shaming def not!

It’s a bit of a random punishment but I suppose it keeps him in the lesson but removed from a situation where he can talk.

If my DD has been talking in class then I wouldn’t complain about the punishment.

It's quite hard holding your arms outstretched for that long. Especially with weights. Apparently if they drop their arms they have to start again

Instead of complaining could you ask what is the purpose of that punishment is first.
I'm quite curious if they have a weird reason or if it's just mean.
I would struggle to do that and it would be humiliating if you can't do it.

Was it a PE lesson?

What was the tone/intention of the teacher? I’m wondering if it was a bit of a jokey punishment -> depends on the relationship between your DC and teacher.

If neither of those, no, it’s a bit crap.

Not PE - and this is standard punishment for all pupils in this class. DC isn't the only one that's had to do it

Why wasn't your dc listening. What was he doing instead of listening? Was he distracting others?

because they are 12, it was the last lesson of the day and it's the last week of term before they break for Christmas.... maybe?!

What?! That's ridiculous. As a secondary teacher, I have never heard the like in any school I've worked in. I would query with his head of year (whilst telling him off for needing a sanction in the first place).

I have asked pupils to stand with their arms out holding weights before though... As a silly competition, during a science lesson about moments.

Technically that is corporal punishment - ie physical, applied to the body, intended to cause discomfort.
Corporal punishment is not allowed in schools.

Assuming you are in UK.

This is awful. Seriously - this appears to come straight from a military 'stress position' handbook. If anyone thinks I'm being daft, try doing this yourself.
I would be speaking to the school about this.

That's what I thought Kurri - yes UK

Sounds very dominant type behaviour - I would be very uncomfortable if it was my child - are there policies on types of punishment?

No it's not in the least bit ok.

I wouldn't go guns blazing but I'd definitely flag it as poor. Practice.

If you are in the UK this sounds dodgy. Is it a fucking Harris by any chance?
Speak to the HT and if that doesn't get you anywhere, write to the Chair of Governors. Governors don't necessarily know that this sort of shit is happening in a school until someone tells them.

Not acceptable.

Is this a state school?

This is not right, I can see the teacher losing their job

Does sound a bit victorian, Although I do think if your child was naughty you shouldnt make excuses for it.

No it’s not. I’m in my 50s and still remember being made to put my hands above my head for what felt like ages (punishment for yawning!). It seemed barbaric then, and I’d have hoped that no teacher would condone such inappropriate discipline these days. Totally unacceptable.

😱

Your son’s school sounds fucking weird.
That’s not a punishment it’s bullying.
Sounds archaic, I presume it’s a private school?

It's a very old-fashioned punishment. There's a famous work of literature where the child is made to do a version of this and passes out in front of the classroom. The setting is the 1930s!
According to this it's a form of psychological abuse.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_up_punishment