Out of school activities

[Inwiththenew]

My child’s school has implemented a new educational strategy this year of being out in the community doing real life education. So they’ll be spending one day a week working in a restaurant or a market dealing with the general public. They are primary kids aged 8,9, and 10.
I’m feeling uncomfortable about it mainly because of safety issues but also because it’s a whole day out of school and not sure that as a regular weekly activity it’s the best use of their time.
What do you think? It is an alternative type of school.

I think it’s brilliant

what a great idea! YABU

Ok, looks like jury is out on that one then!

I wouldn’t like it. Maybe once a fortnight or a month, but weekly is a bit much!

If it's a school you chose because it is 'alternative' then I think this is the kind of thing you signed up to.

If this is a 'normal' state school that you ended up at because it was catchment or the only one you could get into, then I can see why you might wonder about it.

I wouldn't mind for 1 term. I'd be questioning 2 year's worth of it.

Once or twice a term maybe, but definitely not every week.

Is it that they're doing it every week but rotating the classes taking part?

I think you chose an alternative kind of school, and they are providing alternative methods. Sounds good in theory, would ask for more details obviously.

OP I wouldn't stress as 8, 9 and 10 year olds tend to get in people's way. Staff in businesses have difficulty dealing with kids 14-16 doing work experience and they can be left their own to do things so don't expect this experiment to last more than a term.

I do think it is a good idea though, as it shows how things like arithmetic are useful out of the classroom.

I can see how it's educational to do your food tech in a restaurant or do your basic Maths at the till. However, it does seem that 20% of school time out and about is a lot. I'd be quizzing the school on how the whole class is going to be involved in activities (that's a lot of kids in a restaurant or a market!). It also sounds like a lot of specialist planning from teachers to make it worthwhile. And a lot of outings to be coordinated by the school.
I think there's a great potential for the scheme to be a fiasco so I'd have a very good look at it (as well as H&S assessment etc).

No chance. I would withdraw my child if this was the case. Helping in the market won't help when it comes to the 11+.

Surely not weekly for a whole day for everyone (unless a tiny school)

Are you sure it's not on a rota?

It sounds like a great initiative, but 20% of their school time seems excessive.

That's ridiculous.
What can such young children reasonable, and safely do in those jobs ?
I though we were long past the dys of child labour.
It is difficult enough to find worthwhile work experience for 15 yr olds - KS2 is just daft.
Yes, nice to visit - trip to the local factory or bakery or other employers on the odd occasion but they will begin to miss 20% of their schooling.

It’s a bit odd, a whole class working in the same place? Or split over different venues? The logistics are a bit boggling. I agree with others that every week is a lot.

Is this a state primary? I’d be asking to see the risk assessments.

Blimey, what sort of insurance has the school got?!

However, I would not put my child in an 'alternative type of school' tbh.

A whole day every week? That's a lot of lost learning time. As a one off, I'd be fine with it.

In dcs school, they are given jobs to do in the office and dinner hall when they are in year six which I think is a great idea.

Yes, in Yr 6 some 'monitors' got the chance to be school Receptionists or to answer the phone during the lunch hours too.

No-one can possibly think losing 20% of teaching time makes any sense then.

One day a week? That's a lot of teaching time to miss and I would be worried.