To talk to the school about this?

[FourPillars]

I'm in need of a second opinion, as I certainly don't want to be 'that' parent but am a little bothered by something I witnessed at school.

My DD's school has a strict policy of children (5-11 years) not being unattended at school before a certain time. They are either to be accompanied by their parent or at the school's before-school care, or can be unaccompanied from a certain time when a nominated teacher is on supervision. This is repeatedly reiterated in weekly emails and I have no issue with it.
I recently witnessed the school admin officer berate a group of six 9-10 years old who were unaccompanied at school. This was 5 minutes before the time at which teacher supervision starts. They were quietly sitting at a table having something to eat, certainly not misbehaving. However the admin officer was reiterating the rules to them and told them to tell their parents this. I find this rather negative; are the children to be berated and become the messenger for the parents' non-adherence to school policy? Wouldn't it have been better to identify the children and contact the parents?

My AIBU question: should I discuss this with the head teacher or just keep my nose out of it? It didn't involve my DD and wasn't addressed to me, I was sitting nearby.

Mind your own business. If those kids parents have an issue with it, I'm sure they will contact the school themselves.

YANBU.

it's not appropriate for children to be told off or punished for their parents actions. It's also an inefficient way of getting the message across!

As you say, they obviously DO tell the parents, countless times, through all the correct and formal channels. The parents are still ignoring the message and failing to supervise their children adequately despite repeated requests. So an administrator reminds the children of the rules. I have no problem with that whatsoever. It is beyond frustrating for schools to have to battle and battle and battle against parents who think they and their darlings are simply too important to follow the rules- even when they are for their own good.
( I don't work in schools. I am a parent.)

Does the school have an age where children can leave unaccompanied. Eg my school allows children to walk home unaccompanied from year 5 with a signed permission form which would be 9/10 years.

In this situation it also means realistically the children will want to walk themselves to school. I have frequently told dd1 she was ready far too early (gates officially open at half 8) but other parents might not realise, might be leaving for work and telling the children to walk to school rather than leave them alone in the house for a few more minutes.

If they have this, then yes, I'd speak to the school to mention their unaccompanied children policy might be clashing with their rules about the age children can walk home alone.

We're the children inside? If so, how did they get in? Our gates are locked and are only opened by the teacher on duty, so if unaccompanied children arrive early, they stand outside the gates. They have to stay in sight of the duty teacher until the bell goes for doors to be opened.

MaruMaru
I agree. Saying kids are being berated is a bit emotive.

The school are very clear on their rules. Some people think rules don't apply to them if it's a little inconvenient.

It seems like their parent's are quite happy to essentially expect other parents or staff to step in and supervise their kids. It would be interesting to see what would happen if there was an accident on the school site during the time the kids were umsupervised. Somehow I don't think the entitled parents would be accepting it's their fault.

It seems a bit stupid having this as a universal rule, given that some children in years 5 and 6 could reasonably be expected to be walking to school. Are they really saying those children aren't allowed to turn up 5 minutes early even though they're on school grounds and perfectly safe?

It would be interesting to see what would happen if there was an accident on the school site during the time the kids were umsupervised. Somehow I don't think the entitled parents would be accepting it's their fault.

Absolutely. If it's like my school, they will have texted, emailed, put this on the school site, in documents etc...and still they continue. It's ridiculous. You can bet that if an accident happened those parents would be frothing away on MN about 'safeguarding' and 'failing the children' etc etc.

Surely at that age they can walk to school alone though? The school rules are hardly encouraging independence ready for the move to high school

Volant
The rule will be there to stop parents dropping kids in the playground 15 minutes early because they don't fancy paying for breakfast club and it fits their morning schedule.
School staff are not before school childcare. There can't be a playground of 20+ students unsupervised (which is what probably would happen if the rule didn't exist).

If y5/6 are walking themselves to school then they need to leave at the appropriate time. I would imagine if they arrived 2 minutes before the teacher came out nobody would bat an eye lid.

Well telling the parents repeatedly clearly hasn’t worked!

The school has a clear policy. It’s reasonable that they’re enforcing it despite the attempts of parents to avoid it because they think it doesn’t apply to them.

it’s not even your child involved (or if it is then you need to follow the rules!) so YABU to get involved

Tbf my ds woulike leave ridiculously early for school sometimes so it should be him that got talked to. I think safeguarding is to blame, a group of 9 to 10 year olds causing no bother shouldn't need to be supervised Imo.

Thanks all, appreciate the reality check.
There have indeed been countless emails about this.
The students were on school grounds, outside a classroom. The school gates are unlocked early in the morning to allow access to before-school activities such as swimming.
The use of the term berate was justified as it exactly describes the tone of voice and intention of the admin officer. However as it didn’t involve me nor my DD I will not address it with the school.
Thanks all.

It’s unfortunately about liability. Those same parents who can’t be bothered to uphold the school rules would be the first to complain or sue if their unsupervised child fell off a climbing frame or slipped on a wet floor and broke their arm. Can you imagine if another child hit them whilst they were ‘at school’ but unsupervised.
Why on earth should teachers supervise children in their own time?

This is a bit sad as a reflection of society now. When I was at primary school kids would be dropped off to the playground and left to play while other parents would stand at the gates chatting after sending theirs in to play and others would be dropping off/leaving up until the bell went so there were always adults around. There would be teachers in the playground a bit before the bell went. And everyone looked out for all the kids.

It was a very small school though - only one class per year.

YABVU. No doubt the children know all the rules as well but insist that 'all the other kids do it...'

They should be telling parents they are not allowed to go unaccompanied so both sides of the problem is dealt with.