dd1 read something horrible at school by mistake

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

There were newspapers on the tables for them to do some art. Dd1 read all about the Meredith Kurcher case and was able to report to us at tea-time that Aamanda Knox had slit her throat in quite some detail. She's 8, a good reader and was able to recall all the names and details.

Is it worth saying anything to the teachers about having a quick check of the papers before they get spread out in future? I know it sounds a bit silly in some ways: I'm a teacher too and I don't want to add to their huge workload with yet something else to do... but at the same time, we spend time and trouble making sure the dds aren't exposed to stuff that is 'age inappropriate' (and I do for school as well, when I bring media items in or show internet clips, even though I teach secondary).

She knows the world is not necessarily a nice place but dh and I think she's a bit young to know the details of this horrible case. Worth a note or just forget it?

It's not silly at all. I know my teacher did this with us around the time of the Jamie Bulger murder as he thought (rightly, I think) that we could have got very upset by some of the details.

I hadnt thought of this. Its a good point.

I wonder if any teacher Mumsnetters can comment?

I suppose they must have quick scan for topless pictures i.e. page three.

I expect the teacher/assistant involved never even gave this a thought. They'll probably be grateful to you for raising it.

dd1 did the same and read all about the huge camel spider that came over to the uk in a soldiers bags
she didn't sleep all night

I assumed the school wouldn't change what they do

I think it's worth mentioning it and making them ore aware.
I bet they just didn't think and will kick themselves.

dd1 doesn't want us to say anything. she says the teacher will tell her off for continuing to read it after she'd realised it was inappropriate. I can't believe this is true, but will mention this as well if I do write, just in case!

See, now this is why I use cheap shower curtains to cover tables, and just wipe over when done.

No way have I got time to set up classroom for Art, cover all tables AND check for lurid murder stories - it's hard enough remember to check for norks (always the caretaker's papers).

If you want to be really nice and can afford it, donate some - about £5 in Wilkos.

I'd definitely tell the school. I'm a teacher and I do scan the papers for inappropriate photos/stories. Poor dd, hope she's ok.

I use shower curtains too. If I have to use newspapers, I check there aren't any page 3 breasts plastered all over them, but that's about all.

Having said that, the children I teach aren't very good readers so I think I'd be ok.

DDs nanny was glad I warned her when she was using the mags in the weekend papers for artwork - one included a very clear photo of a suicide bombers detached head. Sunday Times mag contains a lot of photojournalism, much unsuitable for young eyes.

"I suppose they must have quick scan for topless pictures i.e. page three."

You would think so... Of course, you only make that mistake once

Mind you, my year 9 boys were the best behaved I'd ever seen them. Engrossed, they were. I should've known...

Definitely tell the teacher, it's an easy mistake to make and I'm sure she'd want to know; she's probably no keener for your DD to read about this than you are, and won't take it as a criticism.

Tethersend

They didn't worry about page 3 on art tables when I was at junior school. Oh how we pointed and laughed.

but now I'm wondering who actually bought in those newspapers...surely teaching staff don't read tabloids?

But seriously, OP.

I wouldn't be happy, and I wouldn't certainly bring it up with the teacher. I would suggest they stick with the financial pages in future.

I'm a Mumsnetter and a teacher too but don't scan the newspapers for inappropriate material. The parents send in newspapers for us to use so I suppose I've assumed that if they have them in their homes and are happy to donate them to school that they will remove pages that they don't want their DC reading. Obviously I'm wrong .

Perhaps you could buy some cheap paper tablecloths (that actually absorb water when spilled) and send them into school with a short note explaining why. That way you've not made additional work for the teacher and have also provided a solution.

Yes I'd let the teacher know so that she can throw that page away - it probably got collected in to be used again unless it was completely covered in paint and the teacher won't know unless you tell her.

And bring along some censored piles of newsprint to help out.

"surely teaching staff don't read tabloids?"

I always check the papers I use, not just for inappropriate news items but for other content. The Guardian and Observer art sections can be quite startling on occasion.
Shower curtain fan here too though.
Not easy to make papier-mache with, it has to be said.

I try to check mine, for bare breasts etc but do sometimes miss things. Sometimes articles look ok at a glance but contain inappropriate stuff. Other times the kids prepare the tables themselves which is harder to monitor (but I do think it's a good habit for them to learn to set out and tidy up at a young age). Maybe ask the teacher to briefly talk to the class about newspapers and ask if she can encourage them to tell her if they notice something they would rather not see. I rely on that and being approachable, the only other alternative tbh is not painting as resources are pretty limited. I spend enough of my own money too on classroom equipment etc.

We used to draw moustaches on the page3 ladies when I was at primary school!