Pengwyyn - I firmly believe in sending kids to the closest school rather than shopping around - that’s what creates the vast differential between our schools. Besides, if it’s a box ticking ofsted exercise then all schools will be the same? It’s like religion - my local schools are all church schools, I have no choice but to send my kids to a church school when I fundamentally disagree with religion and education being linked. But I have no choice if I want to state educate? School know and accept we’re atheist though, as are most of the families in our secular community, so it doesn’t mean I can’t access education there just because I don’t agree with every little thing they do or believe? I think you’re conflating choosing state education with retaining no parental choice or control and that’s just not the case. Nor should it be.
I’m surprised that people are so conformist. We are all different. I make choices for my kids, you make them for yours. But to say parents can’t choose whether to do homework is ridiculous, and a good school must accommodate such requests appropriately or risk meritorious complaints (regarding unfair child treatment) to governors. I’m a governor myself, the school knows I’m not saying this to be awkward, to make a point, to be a rebel, it’s because it’s not in my children’s best interests which they accept. They respect my parental choice. Sounds like our school is much more forward thinking and innovative than most.
Linzey- you seem to lack the imagination or flexibility which is integral to teaching. You mark those books you get. Re the ones you don’t get back, the most you should do is drop a note to parents. Regardless of the response, you’ll then know what you already should have gleaned from the facts - that it’s a parental issue rather than child culpability. Punishing the child is both poor practice and child cruelty.
As a teacher you are obligated to adapt learning to suit all children. One size does not fit all. Were you in my school I suspect you would be disciplined for your actions described. I hope you intend to serve out your career where you are as your practice might need to adapt quite significantly elsewhere.
As for not letting kids go to the loo, bloody hell I hope you don’t have kids. My youngest goes every half an hour. No diagnosed medical condition, just very late development of control. If you said no, she would soil herself. Her confidence would be crushed in your care.
Do you actually like children at all? Most importantly, do you have your own? I think you have an awful lot of learning to do about children.