To want all kids to have a proper break time in school?

[SugarPlumLairy2]

AIBU to think my dd should have sufficient time during lunch to actually eat her lunch?

My DD has additional needs and goes to a mainstream school. She has an EHCP in which she MUST have movements breaksthroughout the day. Usually the school useplay time/lunch for these breaks.

So I am fed up of her coming out of school, hungry, on verge of meltdown, anxious etc. Because there wasn’t time to have a movement break AND lunch. Other parents (SENS and Mainstream) have complained of the same, kids being held back because someone is messing about so WHOLE class has to wait. They miss break in the morning , Miss part or all of lunch break as punishment/to complete class work /practice lining up neatly etc. No afternoon break routinely scheduled . I’m fed up.
So many parents complaining of same thing too. Those breaks are really important for the kids to let off steam and rest before afternoon classes. And then when they are wired etc in the afternoon the teachers have to deal with the fallout. How is this helping anyone?

So this petition hit my Facebook and I have signed it. AIBU to ask you all to have a look and sign/share too? Please.

Our kids are under so much pressure in school, at least let them have a decent lunch.

you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/legislate-for-90-minutes-playtime-in-a-school-day-and-make-removal-of-it-illegal?source=facebook-share-button&time=1558197250

I personally believe that bad or unwanted behaviour has a cause

Yes, and it’s often that pissing about is a more attractive option than solving quadratic equations. If pissing about results in an unwanted sanction such as loss of break time, suddenly pissing about becomes less attractive and the quadratic equations get solved.

2 problems - not enough playtime and use of missing playtime as punishments.

This is the document making kids lives a misery: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/488034/Behaviour_and_Discipline_in_Schools_-_A_guide_for_headteachers_and_School_Staff.pdf

It’s supposed to be guidance and no doubt schools are expected to use their common sense and not do lunchtime detention in a short lunch break.

Have you heard of golden time? Play time/break time is a right, not a privilege or a luxury item, it’s a vital part of health, well being and development.

This thread has gone round in circles and got nowhere, and it's tone is bizarre.

I genuinely think, as I think it was said upthread, some people have absolutely no idea what schools today are really like. People seem so keen to create issues to complain about.

I think the ultimate question is whether playtime including lunchtime is a right or a luxury because if it’s a right then why are they being slashed and taken away as punishment? If you think it’s a luxury then maybe that’s your justification

I keep hearing specifics. Schools get X amount of time for lunch. NOT all schools. Schools have afternoon playtime. NOT all schools. teachers supervise their detentions. NOT all schools.

One size does not fit all. You cannot prescribe a singular medicine for everybody and assume they will all get better.

To many individuals reading this it may seem an alien concept compared to your experience, for others it may be a reality, for some their experience is much worse.

The thread has gone round in circles a bit as it has been taken off on tangents despite my trying to keep my response on track and not going off topic.

I and others, supported by research, believe children should have adequate breaks to eat and restore themselves. The pedantry of “my school is fine” does not mean ALL schools are fine.

This turned into disputes over how to deal with staffing/funding issues in school. How you may not have an opinion without proving you had adequate experience n the field. You may not ask a question without having foolproof answers to both the question you raised and a dozen questions on other issues raised by individuals - who can’t see past the sum of their experience and have proven they cannot master basic comprehension when you do reply. You may not show empathy for a group or a plight unless you have first resolved all other issues that others feel take priority.

That some of the harshest condemnations for our children have come from persons who appear to be in the education system fills me with great concern for SOME of the children in our school. It worries me that good, hardworking teachers will be associated with the Trunchbulls of the world who are more about Punishment than Discipline.

You can argue against the many various reports, surveys articles etc. stating play is important, you can dismiss their findings that the vast majority of children value, want and NEED adequate breaks. You can ignore children’s opinions and the data on children’s mental health all you like. That’s the world you will have to live in later.

Just remember, while you’re promoting teaching kids that you will punish them by removing their mealtimes, not allowing them breaks, shame them in front of peers, ignore their voices, all of this if they exhibit behaviour you don’t like..... these are the kids that will be manning your nursing homes and choosing your old age option s 😂😜

One size doesn’t fit all yet your consistently arguing that all schools should have to provide what you deem to be the right sort of break time.

OP you say who size doesn't fit all and yet that is exactly what you are trying to implement.

Imagine school is a cake - you can divide that cake up however you want, but the cake can't get any bigger.

Resources are finite. Spend them how you want but there will still be the same amount of money to spend. Bringing back a 60 minute lunch break at all schools will cost more money and so something else will have to be cut to pay for it.

What do you think can be sacrificed? As I said, teaching classes of 90 students lecture style will save money that can then be spent on lengthening breaks and consequently the school week. Is that ok?

Just remember, while you’re promoting teaching kids that you will punish them by removing their mealtimes, not allowing them breaks, shame them in front of peers, ignore their voices, all of this if they exhibit behaviour you don’t like..... these are the kids that will be manning your nursing homes and choosing your old age option

And what you need to remember is that the kids who are left to rampage around school without sanction are the ones out on the streets mugging school kids at knife point and burgling your houses. Behaviour needs to be challenged and there needs to be sanctions. Letting kids grow up believing they are untouchable does no one any favours, least of all the children.

Just remember, while you’re promoting teaching kids that you will punish them by removing their mealtimes, not allowing them breaks, shame them in front of peers, ignore their voices, all of this if they exhibit behaviour you don’t like..... these are the kids that will be manning your nursing homes and choosing your old age option

It’s very telling that you omitted the laugh/wink emojis indicating this was a lighthearted comment🙄

Using EVERYBODY to indicate a one size fits all scenario...examples;
Everybody should get a minimum standard of health service to best maintain their health.
Everybody has to have access to medicine, but it may not be the medicine they need and may not be the full dose.

See the difference.

Again.. all I have done is defend my position in signing and bringing to light a petition I believe has value. I have not argued, I have explained that, for many, breaks and lunches are inadequate and I believe this was an issue that deserved attention.

You haven’t answered my question about how this petition will make any difference at all given it isn’t one that will prompt debate in parliament.

Honestly OP, single track arguments never work well.

School is about education in the round. It isn't about having a play at lunch time.

I don't vehemently disagree with you that in an ideal world students would get longer lunchtimes. BUT in that ideal world there would also be plenty of alternative activities and support for those students who don't want or can't cope with that.

Now, we don't live in that ideal world and as you seem unable to explain how this can be funded, or what sanctions schools can employ other than missing part of a break as punishment for bad behaviour I don't see what more there is to say.

@Tmartnmum -you might just need to add that she was still allowed the eat, drink, go to the toilet and have a break from school work but she missed the socialisation part of the lunchtime and that this was for today only.

Otherwise some of the posters will decide that you have prevented her from eating, drinking, toileting (possibly breathing!) and you made her do additional work for a whole hour.

Ignore the sanctimonious nonsense that will no doubt follow from the OP and get ready for your half-term break knowing that you're doing a good job and preparing children for a future where they will need to be accountable for their actions.

@Tmartnmum Let's hope that sorts the issue. Immediate, clearly linked to hurting someone else and over and done with - let's hope you get a nice day with her tomorrow x

DD had regular walks, she came out of class to do it. When she has needs at lunch time, if it goes over, she goes back to class late. She goes down to lunch early so she has time to get there and eat.

The schools should accommodate your child and if there is a problem you should take it up with the LA.

Having an entire class or school have linger breaks because of your DDs needs isn't the answer.

@Tmartnmum is lunch break 30 minutes?

@Tmartnmum. Excellent news -well done x

SugarPlumLairy2
I am one of those bad teachers who will be looked after by those hard done for pupils in my OAP home.
This week I bought breakfast for (average ) 5 children per day. I supplied pencils from my own cash. I ran free lunchtime clubs ( recieving one swearing complaint the child didn't get to join in( - BEACUSE THEY FORGOT THEIR STUFF AND THE SCHOOL CANT AFFORD SPARES)
And I'm a single mum, 3 kids, 2 of them have additional needs.

I think you need to look outside your bubble. The world is big and not always the same. Go easy.

@Wodkavodka 💕

There is a real lack of reading comprehension here, deliberately Misrepresenting lighthearted comments, misquoting and running off on tangents and most of it appears to be from schooling staff who won’t/can’t see outside THEIR own bubbles.

Reach out past YOUR individual experience, I’m hearing (on this and other forums) about entire school clusters where lunch is 20 mins, of kids whose “bad behaviour” is linked to anxiety, SENS issues, home matters etc. yet let’s punish that further and reduce their breaks to a rushed 15 minutes to consume a meal. they aren’t dogs who gulp down a bowl in seconds. I would struggle to collect a meal, sit down, eat it and use a bathroom, all in 15 minutes!

Ive seen kids, including my own, meltdown at the school gates because they are wound so tightly without a chance to have a break, parents in the playground complaining they aren’t listened to any more than their kids, there are parents signing this petition who would be too worried to post online because they will get shouted down.

But it’s ok, that’s not YOUR reality so it must be lies. 🙄

If you don’t want to sign it that’s fine, go on with your life in peace.

If you truly believe that our children don’t have a right to a protected lunch and break ..... I don’t know what sort of experience drives an adult to not want to protect basics rights for kids .😔