School punishment too harsh?

[Witchesandwizards]

Not sure if I’m unfairly taking DD’s side but she has been punished quite severely considering this is the first time in 5.5 years we have been contacted about her behaviour...

DD, 9, was on her way back from an inter school athletics competition when they reached the school perimeter, saw their friends in the playground and a group of about 12 kids ran, maybe 20 metres along the length of the fence to the school gate. On the pavement, no roads crossed, but obviously risked falling and she definitely did know that they weren’t supposed to run. I have no issue with her facing the repercussions, but I feel that the punishment they received is excessive:

They were called to the head and told off (so they couldn’t finish lunch despite being in school early for the competition, having no snacks during the event and DD having an after school club).

They had to write letters of apology to the teachers on the trip.

They had a detention.

They were banned from external sports event for the rest of the half term (4 weeks) - the head said it was to give them a short, sharp shock, but for DD is has been torture. She is OBSESSED with sports and has missed two events she has been looking forward to/training for, for a year. One of which she was the only person in her year to qualify for the finals for last year, and the other a sport that no one else in her year plays, but that she is talented at and plays for a club. I feel this means she is impacted to a greater degree - we are friends with some of the other kids punished and most are not interested in these two events so wouldn’t try out anyway and told me they don’t care about the punishment. I don't think she should have special treatment because of her love of sports, but I do think the punishment, while relevant to the crime, is not fair to all the children. She has also missed a couple more events that she would have liked to go to but is not as passionate about.

I have had a meeting with the head to discuss the incident, and thought that maybe there was more to it, but no. ‘Just’ the running. And she couldn’t understand how the sport ban punished some children more than others.

[RhiWrites]

That response is quoting the general intention of the policy rather than the specific level of punishment it details. It’s completely failing to engage with the fact the punishment in this instance was disproportionate and not in line with the policy.

This school cares more about the appearance of reasonableness than about its actuality. They must know by now they overreacted but they won’t acknowledge it. That’s a bad sign.

[Witchesandwizards]

We have received the expected brush off from the governors:

The wellbeing and safety of the pupils is the paramount concern of the staff and head teacher as well as the Governing Body both in and out of school.

The first paragraph of our Behaviour Policy states:

It is a primary aim of our school that every member of the school community feels valued and respected, and that each person is treated fairly and well. We are a caring community, whose values are built on mutual trust and respect for all. The school's behaviour policy is therefore designed to support the way in which all members of the school can live and work together in a supportive way. It aims to promote an environment in which everyone feels happy, safe and secure.

I do feel that the sanctions were justified as the outcome of the behaviour on that occasion of all the children could have been catastrophic especially as they were not within the confines of the school but thank goodness it wasn’t.

I note that you have requested four points in your letter which you would like to be resolved which I will do my utmost to address for you:

1 (Head Teacher) will compile a list of any rewards and punishments that DD has been given.

2 Explain at a face to face meeting which I understand you have not had to discuss the rationale of how the sanctions fit within the behaviour policy with a member of the senior leadership team

3 A member of the senior leadership team will explain points 2 and 3 to you and DD at that meeting

4 Reassurance that the school will adhere to published policies.

The governing body always welcomes thoughts and ideas and, bearing that in mind, in addition to the above four points and along with your opinions and comments that I have taken note of (Head Teacher) and I have discussed that we will also write a new policy to cover the safety and behaviour of the children whilst off the school premises during school times and before and after school day times.

I would just like to take this opportunity to reassure you that all the children in (School) are treated fairly and equally and that your daughter is safe and well cared for whilst she is at school.


It could have been catastrophic.
Of course it bloody could. Anything to do with kids COULD be catastrophic. They ran laps round the same stretch of pavement a week later on a timed run to qualify for a competition.
In reality they would have probably ended up with grazed knees if they fell, but of course there is always the possibility of a more serious, freak accident.

And no, she is not happy and does not feel well and fairly treated.

[sashh]

I would bet even money that whilst they were running off there were teachers shouting at them to stop.
I would not like to be the teacher writing the risk assessment to take the children to another school for sports. 12 children running off is a huge hazard, one that needs to be minimised and one way to do that is not have those children leaving school again.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the teachers taking them have not said they will not take them again until they learn to behave.

In life some people's punishments are harder than others. I'm disabled, if I were to have a driving ban it would severely affect my ability do anything out side my home, including getting to medical appointments, but that doesn't mean I can get away with speeding.

[Witchesandwizards]

They are still taking the child who actually walked in the road and pushed other children towards the road.
Just not the ones who ran on the pavement.

I am not disputing the fact she disobeyed orders and should have been punished according to the behaviour policy.
I am also disputing the fact that what they did was dangerous.

[youarenotkiddingme]

I'd mention they haven't addressed why it was catastrophic rain for children to run along a pavement on this occasion that the school themselves take the children out to run along.

It's mixed messages. Children don't stand a chance of knowing boundaries if they aren't clear.

[DamonSalvatoresDinner]

This would make me want to get a bit petty tbh. I would be encouraging my child to take a stand here but it's difficult with her young age. Tell her that she must never, ever run on the pavement outside the school. If this means that a teacher must stay back and walk with your sensibly walking DD during the class exercise then so be it.

I also wouldn't allow her to take part in sports representing the school. If she really is that talented this alone will piss off the sports teachers wanting winners for their school. There are plenty of after school sports activities she can do.

Sod the PTA and helping out. The school are not supportive of you and your child will get by perfectly well without you breaking your back for the school.
It will be noticed.

[BlackCatSleeping]

Did you ever hear back from the BoG?

Hope your daughter is feeling ok about it all.

@Witchesandwizards

[Witchesandwizards]

Hi BlackCat

Thanks for your message.
I've copied and pasted the (lacklustre) response a few posts up. They have supported the Head and not addressed my queries.

DD is ok - disappointed as some of the heats and finals are coming up. I think there is still a small chance for rugby, but I haven't had a reply from my cheerful email: "DD is so happy that the rugby was postponed to after half so she can now try out". Clearly she may not be able to as they have had trials, but they would be silly not to try and use her.

On a side note, a mum I know vaguely, asked about DD and the rugby - she thought they were 'saving her for the final' and was shocked when I told her about the punishment. Another mum heard that DD isn't in the swimming because she went last time and they have to allow other kids a go. She is so good that her absence is queried and rumours are going round!

[BlackCatSleeping]

Sorry! I don't know how I missed your update.

"Catastrophic results" What dicks!

I suppose it's a good lesson for your daughter that sometimes life just isn't fair. I really hope she can make up for the time/opportunities that she unfairly lost.

[Witchesandwizards]

Love the melodrama.

Especially because one of the boys also punished, broke his arm so badly a couple of years ago on the monkey bars in the playground, that his bone came through his skin and he had to have a plate put in....
The monkey bars are still there.