To be very concerned about this message from the head of my DCs new school?

[Hatton92]

My DD has recently started school. Everything seemed ok but I’ve just read a message on the parent app and now I’m really concerned and looking to see what people’s thoughts are?

So the message basically said there has been quite a lot of reports of discriminatory, racist and unkind language being used by children and unacceptable behaviours. Also toilets being left in unsanitary conditions with inappropriate materials left on the floors and walls?

The head has said they’re not going to stand for it basically and anyone caught doing any of of the other will have disciplinary action taken but I’m still worried about it. Would you be?

What age is your daughter? Has she just started primary school?

Why are you worried that a Headteacher is trying to sort out issues in the school? You should be pleased. All schools will have these problems from time to time, but it would be much more concerning if the Head did nothing about it!

Yes I’m glad about that. Is this common in schools now then? Tbh maybe I have no idea! But it’s my first experience of a school

She has yes

yes that would concern me. I don’t think it’s an isolated couple of incidents if the Head has messaged everyone. But hopefully your dd has been untouched by it all and it sounds like it’s being taken seriously. Good luck going forward.

It's not a common issue, certainly not one I have come across as a parent or as someone who works in a school. The fact the Headteacher has felt the need to send an email to all parents, suggests this isn't an isolated incident. However, it appears that the Headteacher is trying to resolve the situation and it also warns parents that if their child is found to be participating in any unsavoury behaviour, it will be delt with harshly. Children pee on the floor, accidents happen, but the condition of the toilets sounds as if it's deliberate, and quite possibly not just pee. Yes, in all honesty I'd be concerned.

I’d be pleased the head is trying to tackle some issues.

Good, a head teacher actually warning parents that disgusting behaviour carried out by their children may just have consequences is a rare sight.

Wow. A primary school.
I’ve not seen this in my DDs school but that’s awful for kids this young.
Glad the head is sending out a message as this behaviour most certainly starts at home.

I thought you mean comprehensive school!!! Never know it in primary schools to be this bad 😬

The unsanitary toilets was common in the secondary school i worked in. The discriminatory _racist language would concern me. The headteacher is trying to tackle the issues. They will expect parental support.

I don’t think that’s normal for a primary school… If your daughter is reception are they kept separate from the other years during breaks etc? I’d assume that it wasn’t her year that were involved in this behaviour.

“Inappropriate materials left on the floors and walls” 😯

I thought you were going to say secondary school, not primary.

Schools are like mini versions of society. Racism is surging nationally and this is reflected in our schools. Its terrifying.

Shocking that this is in a primary school, I'd be very concerned if my little 4 year old had just started there.

Sadly it's becoming more common especially with the rise of reform children are like sponges they're hearing things at home and repeating things. I'm a School governor and it came up in our school governor panel recently.

No, I’d be pleased decisive action was planned. You do get behaviour like this in primary schools, it has to be nipped firmly and promptly.

I can understand why you’d be concerned. It is shocking isn’t it? But you don’t want your child exposed to this sort of behaviour, believe me, and the facilities staff shouldn’t have to clean it up/off.

There's an article in the times education suppliment today that says that primary schools are having big problems controlling behaviour because the political rhetoric around race and immigration is finding its way into schools, and it is very hard for the teachers to address it without a firm steer from government on what current national policy is. It might be worth reading the article to see if that is likely in your area of the country.

This is absolutely an issue in secondary school. It should not be in a primary school.

I would be asking the head what they plan to do to sort that out because it’s completely not acceptable. Surely the oldest ones there are 10?! Maybe a few about to turn 11?

Definitely worried about what it says is going on at the primary school. Would want to know more.

I’d be shocked at that happening in a primary school. It’s not normal

My take on this as a mum of 3 with high schoolers is that there will have been a couple of incidents, probably the older ones, but the head has quite rightly expected that the kids all know about it (siblings etc) and to stop a revolt after kids go home and say “mum guess what, Johnny in p6 called someone [insert unkind word here] and peed up the wall in the bathroom!” (Note said child will have witnessed neither) so all parents know it’s being dealt with.

The fact it’s being called out and dealt with is a good thing.

I think it's ok. Chances are that some issue came up with a few of the students and they're making it clear it won't be tolerated. Its good they're on top of these things. Its good for non Irish students to be reminded of too, just in case it's more accepted in their particular culture. Being reminded of no messing in bathrooms and leaving them in a good condition is a good thing too. I wouldn't worry too much on this alone, unless something else comes up