discipline at primary schools

[hnkjuijn]

Was wondering whether things work the same way at other primary schools. Our school already insists on children walking silently up and down the corridors. They have now introduced that kids cant put their hand up to ask a question but must make another sign. They also have to sign if they want to say something to another child about the work they are doing. Basically kids have to be silent for six and half hours a day unless spoken to. Is this really the norm elsewhere?

What sign do they have to make?

but no that doesn’t sound normal and sounds like it’s taking things to far.

That sounds awful, bordering on cruel.
And I'm all for discipline, believe me.

Sounds worse than prison.
I can only imagine how crazy playtime is if the kids are expected to be zombies the rest of the time.

I think it is normal to expect them to be quiet when moving through the school and to signal whether by raising hand or other sign of they want to speak at certain times of the day but there are also plenty of other times when they can talk so wouldn't be expected to be silent all day.

It just seems a convoluted way to ensure that kids are not talking unnecessarily.

No, absolutely not normal.

Are they learning sign language?

The signs are not part of sign language. Just something they have decided on. These are rules for all years.

From my experience of primary school, if the whole class is going somewhere then they are all lined up and they are told not to talk in the line. That doesn’t equate to a silent corridor rule though.

Whats the sign they use to indicate they want to talk? Why do you think it’s so much worse than a hand in the air which just encourages children to try and get their fingers higher than everyone else’s believing that the teacher will choose them that way.

They have to put their finger on their nose to speak.

Are they allowed to completely relax at break time?

I suspect you are being unreasonable, by taking things way out of context. Finger on nose is just a hand in the air done differently. Some work should be done silently. There's no need to talk in the corridors and it can be very disruptive to other classes. But they should also be doing group work, debate, etc.

Who has told you this?

The school

How are going to distinguish from picking noses and wanting to speak!

Do they do any group work?

What exactly is your concern? You surely don’t believe your children are really going to be expected to stay silent for six hours a day, so what’s the problem?

My main concern is yet again clamping down on discipline instead of say having TAs in the classroom or making sure they get enough movement time.

There's a difference to keeping kids in check and teaching them respect and boundaries but not allowing them to make any sort of noise at all all day is just barbaric.

You said six and half hours a day. You mean they can't even make noise at breaktimes?! That's ridiculous.

@hnkjuijn putting your finger on your nose is cheaper than having a TA in the classroom! Most schools can't afford TAs, so if you have a problem with that lobby your MP.

What exactly has the school said? Can't possibly be for the whole of the day

@crumblingschools I have already lobbied my MP - well before this latest initiative. Was just wondering whether the same regimes are also operating in other schools.

I've not heard of children having to be silent all day, so I would be questioning that if that is what the school has said. Having different ways of children asking to speak in what should be a quiet lesson, wouldn't have a problem with necessarily. But would assume some group work, discussion, so not absolute or regimented silence for the whole day

When I was a kid (80's) we had to walk through corridors with our fingers on our lips, to remind ourselves to be silent. Good old Irish Catholic convent school education.

Sounds awful. Why do we insist on treating children in ways that would be deemed unacceptable for adults.

WTF?
Take your kid out of there before they're traumatized

abnormal and antisocial reminiscent of the victorian era.
nope not my vision for children, I’d be looking elsewhere regardless of “progress 8” malarkey.