Michaela School and behaviour - AIBU

[herculepoirot2]

AIBU to think that you might read this behaviour policy and think it is authoritarian and unnecessary, but to also think that, with results four times better than the national average, these people might have a point about the benefits to young people of being expected to work hard and behave well?

mcsbrent.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Behaviour-Policy-11.02.19.pdf

[JacquesHammer]

Doubt you’d be saying that if you were collecting your clutch of 7s and 8s and off to a good sixth form. The kids seem happy enough

Of course I would be saying that. I don’t think results are the be all and end all of a schooling experience.

Do you know children who attend the school?

[JacquesHammer]

In a privileged area it might be more likely. Somehow I think Jacques isn’t living in Brent

Actually the school in question draws from one of the most deprived post codes in the U.K. along with more privileged areas.

[herculepoirot2]

Do you know children who attend the school?

I don’t.

[JacquesHammer]

I don’t

As a matter of interest, where are you finding info to suggest “the children seem happy”.

[herculepoirot2]

Actually the school in question draws from one of the most deprived post codes in the U.K. along with more privileged areas.

I haven’t heard of a school with those sorts of results without quite privileged students. But if you say so.

[herculepoirot2]

As a matter of interest, where are you finding info to suggest “the children seem happy”.

The Ofsted report, the accounts of people who have visited, the endorsements from parents etc. It looks really positive.

I also know someone who worked there.

[JacquesHammer]

I haven’t heard of a school with those sorts of results without quite privileged students. But if you say so

I’m quite sure I’ve raised the point to you before that because you aren’t aware of one doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It’s rather a simple concept that I’m surprised with someone of your alleged educational pedigree doesn’t understand.

[JacquesHammer]

I also know someone who worked there

If you say so

[HangryPants]

If this is so good, why aren’t our work places like this?

[stucknoue]

With such strict rules, any kids that do not comply leave or are kicked out, its selection basically. Would have been good for my dd because she's autistic and the corridors were her worst nightmare, but wouldn't suit most kids

[Nicolamarlow1]

Given the tone of some posters comments on the lines of 'what about SEN, autistic children, dyspraxic children, etc' one would think that they are the majority! They are not, and a school cannot be run on the assumption that they are. Those children with special needs at Michaela are fully supported and make good progress, and in the case of children with more severe learning difficulties, they ought to be in schools adapted to their needs, as many are.

[herculepoirot2]

If this is so good, why aren’t our work places like this?’

We’re adults and have - in theory - learnt to manage our own behaviour and work.

[herculepoirot2]

If you say so wink

No, I do. She says it was a good school, very hard work for the teachers but good.

[HarrassedMumof3]

The pupils at Michaela don't learn by rote, they are taught a knowledge rich curriculum. There's a big difference.
I've taught in a variety of schools and I'd work there, and send my kids there, like a shot.

[BelindasGleeTeam]

Even the head tweeted today about the 10+ visitors a day who go to see what they're doing and learn, you can't replicate the school.

But lots can be learned about creating purposeful working atmosphere. Consistent discipline. That old fashioned methods can and do work. You just have to choose what may work in your school and apply it.

[herculepoirot2]

I’m quite sure I’ve raised the point to you before that because you aren’t aware of one doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It’s rather a simple concept that I’m surprised with someone of your alleged educational pedigree doesn’t understand.

No, no, I understand that it’s possible. But again, Jacques, we have reached the end of our discussion. I just find you so rude and with no reasoning for it.

[AravisTarkheena]

I’d be absolutely fascinated to spend some time in the Micheala school - what I will say is that there will have been a huge amount of pressure on them to produce GCSE results in this first cohort, can they replicate it consistently is the real question.

Re SEN I agree that discipline is really good for a lot of SEN kids. As far as cognitive learning needs go I’m sure it can work. On the other hand I’m guessing Micheala doesn’t cater to the SEBD end of SEN very well. Just do not see how some of the kids I work with could possibly thrive in this environment.

[herculepoirot2]

Just do not see how some of the kids I work with could possibly thrive in this environment.

I think it’s self-selecting. You’re not going to go to a school like that for a look round if you know your child struggles with following instruction.

[demureandgraceful]

Knee jerk reaction was being shocked at how strict it is. Then reflecting and thinking more deeply about the rules they seem perfectly sensible to the problems faced in school. I would send my kids there in a heartbeat if I could

[BertrandRussell]

AIBU to think that selective schools, whether the selection is overt or covert get significantly better results than non selective ones?

[Namenic]

I don’t think lecturers would put up with adults behaving how some kids do. There would be a behaviour policy about corridor behaviour if there was as much of a problem with adults.

I also think the army would operate in a similar way. It is not the only way of getting good results and doesn’t suit everyone, but I think it would be popular with a reasonable number of people.

[herculepoirot2]

AIBU to think that selective schools, whether the selection is overt or covert get significantly better results than non selective ones?

That is a fair point. But if it’s self-selecting, and a group of parents whose children can and will thrive in a calm and purposeful environment want to send their children somewhere to be educated apart from “spirited” children, I don’t see why not. It’s working.

[toiletseat]

Even if kids comply with the behaviour policy it doesn't mean it's doing them any good - my sibling and I both went to a school which focused on discipline to an extreme degree and although we were wonderfully behaved, I think it was a major factor in our growing into very anxious adults. I'm autistic and I think it played a role in my burning out upon reaching adulthood.

[imip]

Results like that are achieved by pushing out the ‘under-acheivers’. They’ll be told they are unable to sit the exam a few months beforehand. It’s a form of off-rolling. Disability discrimination cases are usually confidential, so you won’t find out challenges to schools.

[AravisTarkheena]

Well yes I think it is self selecting - in which case can we call it a comprehensive school? If it’s a school that simply cannot meet the needs of certain pupils is it fair to consider it an effective form of education? I think there an awful lot of questions in the mix - one of which is to what extent do parents really have a choice. In theory, the idea that we might have a system whereby parents can choose an appropriate school for their kids out of a variety of equally good schools is lovely, in reality parents, especially those with children identified with SEN are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I do generally think a pretty tight behaviour policy is good - but at the end of the day someone has to take the responsibility of educating kids with genuine behaviour issues or SEN needs that aren’t accommodated by strict behaviour policies etc.

Idk - it will be interesting to see how it goes. Would love to see a longitudinal study but would be difficult to pull off.