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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be ticked off that DD is 'punished' for being good?!?

42 replies

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 20:21

DD, aged 9, came out of school, crying, yesterday because the class were't allowed to go to P.E because a ' couple' of boys were mucking about at fire drill. Then the class were told that they wouldn't be allowed breaktime ,the next day(today), because the same boys were being too noisy. They would have to stay inside and write lines. I went back to the school and had a 'talk ' with the teacher. Anyone else think this is a 'reasonable punishment'(her words)?
DD hasn't settled in to the new term very well, for the first time ever. The teacher is a sub. and she just pissed me off.

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Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 20:32

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charliecat · 18/09/2007 20:34

Maybe the teachers hoping class peer pressure will make them behave but I doubt it will work.
This sort of punishment used to piss me off too as a well behaved child.

jrsmum · 18/09/2007 20:35

Thats not fair where I wotk the children who mess about are punished. We dont do lines they are absolutely pointless!!! Suggest if she cant think of a better punishment not to bother!!!

juuule · 18/09/2007 20:35

Not reasonable at all.

startouchedtrinity · 18/09/2007 20:36

There is no motivation in behaving well, is there?

How long will she be teaching your dd for? I think you need a talk with the head.

lilacclaire · 18/09/2007 20:37

I think it would be a 'reasonable punishment' for those making the noise.
In fact maybe not, they are going to be excited about a fire drill and not be quiet obviously.
Why is she punishing the whole class, did she justify this?
TBH I would be having a word with the head of the school.

Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 20:40

She mentioned peer pressure. I told her dd wouldn't say boo to a goose so she's not likely to go and have a go at some wee git. She was complaining about the noise level off the class, I said 'dd to?' She admitted she had no problem with her. Told her if she couldn't control a class of 9 year olds, she was in the wrong profession. Bet my name was mud in the staffroom today

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hotcrossbunny · 18/09/2007 20:41

Sounds like teacher doesn't know how to control a class I would def. talk to the head - it is not fair to punish the class for a minorities wrongdoing. Your poor dd - will she get a permanent teacher soon?

cornsilk · 18/09/2007 20:42

YANBU.Is she afraid to tackle these few boys do you think? Being a sub can be hard work, but it's not fair ti sanction kids who don't deserve it.I would ask to see the school's discipline policy.

Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 20:47

She's covering maternity leave until Christmas. We live in N.Ireland,so still have the 11 plus in all primary schools. Therefore the p6 and p7 teacher stays the same. They make such a big deal over the 'hard' year p6 is, that dd was defeated before she went in. So I complained about that too. Told her they should just give them the work without the presure. They're only worried about keeping their pass rate up.

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Sossy · 18/09/2007 20:48

She's obviously trying hard to make an impression on the kids. She doesn't want to be seen as a soft spot. And it's the start of term so she'll probably be stricter than usual around this time. I agree though, it sucks. If she keeps punishing your daughter for others bad behaviour I'd see the head.

Sossy · 18/09/2007 20:48

Soft touch, sorry.

amateurmum · 18/09/2007 20:48

Don't think missing PE should be a punishment at all as it is a part of the curriculum to which they are entitled, not a treat.

As a primary teacher myself, I have sometimes kept noisy class in at break but never for more than 5 minutes maximum.

Tottie32 · 18/09/2007 20:49

my dd had this last year and i thought it was very very unfair, if someone was naughty or made a bad choice (teachers words) whole class had to stay in, very wrong, as some would take great pleasure in this

Sossy · 18/09/2007 20:49

Well yeah, course they will. They're only worried about statistics. That's the downside of the system. It all sucks really doesn't it?

Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 20:53

She also said that she wasn't really going to keep them in, only for 5 mins. to 'scare' them(!) I told her that dd would be fretting all night and not wanting to come to school, so it was a silly thing to say. On the other hand it will just prove to the noisy children that she doesn't carry through what she sys.

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wheresthehamster · 18/09/2007 20:55

If the culprits are identifiable then this sort of punishment is SO wrong. Very rarely do they feel guilty about the rest of the class so it doesn't work anyway.

janeitebus · 18/09/2007 20:55

As a secondary English teacher I firmly believe that lines should never be used as a punishment; all they do is put children off writing and make them see wrting as something used to "torture" them. I also totally disagree with punishing a whole class for the behaviour of a few.

To be honest, I'd want to discuss with the head - yes, it may be a supply teacher, who wants to establish herself with a class but there should be a school policy on sanctions and the head will want her to be consistent with this I think.

janeitebus · 18/09/2007 20:57

And if they are all going to be punished for the few doing wrong, then there is no incentive to the goodies to remain good - they might as well join in the bad behaviour!!!

amateurmum · 18/09/2007 21:02

Also disagree with young children having a punishment 'held over' until next day.

But, while in a perfect world, one would only ever sanction those children who have misbehaved, it can be impossible, if you are new to a class, to tell exactly who is at fault.

Also, the class itself has a personality and has good days and bad days. Sometimes, sanctioning everyone for the sins of the majority is expedient and effective, although not, I agree fair (and in your dds case, not proportionate either).

Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 21:02

I was going to see head first, but she was in a meeting. Teacher said since you seem to have a problem, I'll go and get head. Told her I had already tried and her face fell a mile, so she must of being trying to call my bluff. She said she had no problems with dd, so I asked why she couldn't tell her that, children respond to encouragement etc. She had a word with dd today telling her her work was up to standard and not to worry. Then as dd was walking away said' but you need to be neater'. Cow.

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Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 21:07

I know a couple of other mum's sent notes into day saying they weren't happy either, so hopefully she gets the message. DD and another boy were able to tell me the names of the disruptive boys so it wouldn't be too hard for her to pick them out. Surely P.E and break time is the best time for running around and letting off excess energy?

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Hulababy · 18/09/2007 21:07

Class punishments used to be fairly commonplace - I guess teachers thought that peer pressure would make those being naughty stop.

However class punishments have long since been frowned up in education, and not recommended at all. OFSTED and LEA inspectors do not agree with them IIRR.

fireflyfairy2 · 18/09/2007 21:10

I think you were great to go back in the school & confront the teacher!

I am in NI too & although my dd is only in p2 I have a nephew in p6 & know the big deal that is made of the 11+.

I think that in p6 the boys should be well able to do what they're told & there should be no need for the teacher to punish innocent children. And making them write lines... what good does that do? Except ignite a hatred of writing [and probably of the teacher too!]

PE should never be banned as punishment! I thought everyone knew this! Surely it would make life much easier for her if the children were outside running around & working off the energy they are obviously expelling all over her classroom!

Whereabouts are you? I'm in Co.Antrim.

Original poster

cocolepew · 18/09/2007 21:12

Co.Down, Newtownards,

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