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AIBU?

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Original poster

Detention for forgetting water bottle

30 replies

BawHeid · 15/03/2018 15:02

Our local (primary) school has this as a policy. Forget your water bottle? First warning. Second time - detention. It's part of their 'uniform policy', so apparently forgetting your water bottle is equivalent to wearing the wrong jumper. Which is surely more of a choice than an accidental error.

I get that hydration is important. But this is insane, right? They can't detain my 4 year old for a mistake her parents might have made?

OP posts:
Ihatemyclients · 15/03/2018 15:04

I don't think detention would ever be appropriate for a child as young as 4 - I wouldn't make your DD go and I'd tell the school I didn't think it was right

Glitterfume · 15/03/2018 15:05

Ridiculous.
Kids used to go to school fine without needing to drink water all day long for one.
Some kids do not want to drink water during the day.
It's especially ridiculous for someone that is four.

AlexanderHamilton · 15/03/2018 15:05

Ridiculous. It punishes the most vulnerable such as those with organisational difficulties relating to SEN, from chaotic households or with a sick/disabled parent etc etc etc.

Original poster
BawHeid · 15/03/2018 15:07

Just to clarify - she hasn't been given a detention. If she was given one, there's no way I'd be letting it actually happen.

Glad it's not just me.

OP posts:
Astrid2 · 15/03/2018 15:09

Ridiculous. It punishes the most vulnerable such as those with organisational difficulties relating to SEN, from chaotic households or with a sick/disabled parent etc etc etc.

Nonsense! It punishes any busy parent who forgets to pick up a water bottle before the school run. I am 30 and forget my water bottle for work at least once a week.

It seems excessive to threaten primary children with detention. But it does depend on what detention involves? I'd speak to the school about it!

Astrid2 · 15/03/2018 15:10

Top paragraph meant to be bold!

DobbyisFREE · 15/03/2018 15:14

If hydration is important maybe it's time to tell them about cups...

They sound completely insane, I'm a grown adult and forget things like this all the time.

AlexanderHamilton · 15/03/2018 15:20

WELL YEs Astrid - anyone can forget. But children from those categories are more likely to forget more often.

TenancyTroublesAgain · 15/03/2018 16:14

That's insane!

HeidioftheAlps · 15/03/2018 17:18

It does sound insane. What age do the detentions start and what do they involve/when/how long for?
If it started in year 5/6 then they are probably getting them used to needing a list of equipment for secondary school and they normally keep them in at break/lunch at dc school (to complete homework not for forgetting a water bottle) if it's ks1 then yes that is ridiculous

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 15/03/2018 17:23

Seems very extreme. Is it definitely for all ages of children? I can sort of understand the rule if it was for junior children as they can get their own bottle but not younger dc.

Having said that detention is still OTT.

UpstartCrow · 15/03/2018 17:24

Thats ridiculous. I still don't understand them needing a plastic water bottle instead of just providing a fountain.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 15/03/2018 17:40

Would be interested to know how they deal with really important issues, such as bullying - mind you, there's probably no such thing as bullying in that school - so, that'll let them focus on other things - such as forgetting a water bottle Biscuit

RabbitFoodist · 15/03/2018 17:41

Wow Shock it doesn't sound like a fun place for anyone, let alone a 4 year old

Glumglowworm · 15/03/2018 17:41

Detentions for 4 year olds are insane anyway, especially for something that is the parents responsibility.

PompholyxOfUnknownOrigin · 15/03/2018 17:43

I don't understand this obsession with hydration. Somehow the older generation in my family made it into their nineties without carrying water around with them everywhere.

Allthebestnamesareused · 15/03/2018 18:31

How is detention carried out? It is merely missing 5 minutes of playtime then it is probably ok for say year 3 up but for reception it's harsh!

Allthebestnamesareused · 15/03/2018 18:31

Is it - not it is

PoptartPoptart · 15/03/2018 18:34

It’s crazy.
I work in a school (juniors) and they are encouraged to bring a water bottle but it’s not compulsory and certainly not enforced.

Theresasmayshoes11 · 15/03/2018 18:41

Utterly ridiculous.

I was at school in the 70s and we had a water fountain and the toilet tap! We were fine.

It’s utter bollocks now kids even saying they are ‘dehydrated’ no you are ‘thirsty’

Ffs seriously I would rethink my choice of school. They have really stupid policies and priorities

cloudyweewee · 15/03/2018 18:46

That is utterly stupid. I manage to last from break time to lunch without drinking water yet many of my Y2 class seem welded to their water bottles.

x2boys · 15/03/2018 18:48

I can't remember bringing a drink in primary school late 70,s to mid 80,s i think we just had one with lunch and the revolting warm milk that had been kept in the classroom all day.

Lizzie48 · 15/03/2018 18:51

That's ridiculous, water bottles were never a thing at school when I was growing up, we only drank water at mealtimes and we were fine. It just means that the children will need the toilet during class.

Detention isn't even an issue at my DDs' primary school and nor should it be for that. It's the parents' responsibility not the children's and it will be the more vulnerable children that are penalised.

DalekDalekDalek · 15/03/2018 18:54

Well, if they clearly set out a rule then they are entitled to discipline if someone fails to follow it. They are trying to teach responsibility and that includes remembering equipment. Detention seems harsh in primary school. Do you mean they lose part of a break time?

FluffyWuffy100 · 15/03/2018 18:56

That is fucking crazy. I assume there is water available at lunch time - that is sufficient.

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