Do you think that schools are okay?

[applejane11]

When I was in school, I remember absolutely hating school. I like learning. What I hated was the constant feeling of being in a prison, having no freedom. Having to sit for 7 hours a day and not speak. Having no say at all in most things. Constantly being controlled. I remember every morning, feeling dread when I woke up to go in.

I now actually work in a school in an admin position. Ive worked in lots of different companies. Now im in a school. I hear the teenagers say the same things all the time. They hate it, they feel like they are in prison, that it is awful, that they feel depressed every day, that all their young life is wasted. I also have to say, I definitely see school teachers abuse their power over the students. Not in a way that you could say is definitely abuse, but just in a way where you can see that they are really loving having power and control over the teenagers.

Do you think that schools are okay the way that they are? Teenagers don't have a lot of say in things or a lot of human rights, so it's adults that need to have the conversation about it.

You are making the choice to respond OP. I am simply using a forum as intended.

If you are not willing to engage, then there are obvious conclusions that can be made; about you.

I won't answer a post that starts with an insult. Talk like an adult and have a discussion or Im not replying anymore.

Its the same two posters who are taking over the thread with insults.

I can’t comment on your individual experience.

I do know from working in a primary school with year 6 is that some will moan it’s like a prison if we ask them to stop talking when the teacher is talking or another pupil is responding to the teacher. They say it’s like a prison if we ask them to come to class at end of break because they’d rather be talking to their mate. They say it’s like a prison if we ask them to stop handing out chewing gum (chewing gum is banned as it gets stuck in hair, clothing, footwear and carpet).

And we most certainly do allow children to go to the toilet unaccompanied from yr 1! However, by year 6 we also know that some children coordinate to meet up in the toilets. We’ve had fights and bullying in there. We’ve had vandalism (toilet seats ripped off, doors broken from being swung on or kicked, and the old favourite of putting toilet paper in the plug hole and letting the taps run). So yes, the older they get the trickier some of the behaviour. We have to put rules in place to keep children safe. So we usually have a 1 in 1 out rule - pupils will be asked to wait.

As for insisting on blazers on hot days, I disagree with any school that does that. My own young adult children did not experience that when at their secondary schools so can confidently say not all schools are the same.

Again, go away.

You hurl insults at people and then are surprised when they don't want to talk to you.

@applejane11 i would love to sit in on one of the meetings you are in, i bet you are a righr laugh as a colleague 🙄

I have challenged the validity of what you are saying but never insulted you. I have explained that I believed you to be lying, the nature of a forum is that you can refute it and challenge it. You have instead chosen to be evasive and emotional.

This is a public forum and now you are defaming me, accusing me of being abusive.

Be careful.

Does mumsnet have dummy spitting competitions?

What sort of school are you working in?

How much time do you spend in lessons as an admin person?

30 teenagers and 1 teacher is fine. I expect them to list and be respectful. They discuss stuff. Debate stuff. Ask Qs. Certainly not sitting in silence unless its a test. Consequences for those that choose to stop others from learning.

We have a summer uniform.

They can go to the toilet at break, before school, lunch, and often time between lessons. Same opportunities as teachers (except I dont have time to go between lessons). That's about 95 minutes of time to go pee.

If you're writing this based on what you hear teenagers say then you have a lot to learn about teenagers. I could write a brilliant book on what the teenager says vs what actually happened!!

Schools need clear rules and boundaries.

I'll take that as a no then.

None of your posts read like you're responding as an adult.

Thanks for sharing. That's nice that you had a good time in school

The teenagers don't just say these things to me. They say it to our safeguarding lead. We discuss student issues in our safeguarding meetings.

You keep repeating that. The point still stands.

Back to the "adult" conversation. Have you ever asked the teachers about a pupil report to you that they needed to manage a period?

Previously stated by the OP;

"Hmmm I work in a school, and students constantly talk to me about their issues. I'm concerned about them."

So, clearly not just to you.

I never wrote it was just to me.

so your point is redundant.

I am. thanks. We have great team meetings.

"Hmmm I work in a school, and students constantly talk to me about their issues. I'm concerned about them."

Susshh! It's the summer holidays. A level results are out on Thursday; just give us a few more days, ffs.

And fwiw, I've taught for nearly 25 years.4 schools . Gove fucked the curriculum, but schools are no longer the bear pits I remember from the 90s. Although perhaps that's because students now pick on teachers, rather than fellow students.

My take is that you are unhappy that I am not willing to just accept what you say.

And describing me as a 'Piece of Work.'

That demeans you.

Thanks for the post. So in your opinion, do you think that schools have improved since the 90s. In what way? I'm interested to hear your point of view.

i cant see a safeguarding lead discussing safeguarding cases with admin staff on a regular basis. Do you do duties @applejane11 ? how long have you been in your role?