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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is inappropriate homework for an 11 year old? **MNHQ adding content warning for CSA**

167 replies

ProwlingD · 19/06/2023 19:14

I run a homework club once a week from my home where I oversee and assist students with their homework. This afternoon, one of my 11 year old students (year 7) brought this short story. She had to read it and then write a summary of what the story was about, how she thinks the characters felt etc.

After she had read it and written her summary, I then read it and was shocked at what the story is about / is suggesting. Her summary was completely wrong - she read the story as one of a happy step family - and I didn't feel it appropriate to explain to her what the story is actually suggesting. I then showed it to my DP (he is not in education) and he also felt it was inappropriate.

I'm am English Literature teacher (but left working in schools a couple of years ago) and I am not easily shocked or surprised by the texts my students are reading. Had this been a student in KS4 I would have felt them mature enough to explain the connotations, but 11 seems far too young.

AIBU to think 11 is too young to be getting this as homework?

To think this is inappropriate homework for an 11 year old? **MNHQ adding content warning for CSA**
To think this is inappropriate homework for an 11 year old? **MNHQ adding content warning for CSA**
OP posts:
Greenfree · 19/06/2023 19:25

WTF!

Biscuitsneeded · 19/06/2023 19:25

I would report that. Even if there is an explanation eg v stressed teacher set a homework on a text they hadn't actually read, as an adult in a position of trust you have a duty to report it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/06/2023 19:26

How the hell can Amnesty International get away with printing that? Its not even trying to be on the side of the abused, but basically ending it by saying "yep, you'll be a child abuser too soon"

PuntasticUsername · 19/06/2023 19:27

NoSquirrels · 19/06/2023 19:23

How, tho? It’s a short story and it’s completely clear to any adult.

Show quote history

I've no idea really, I'm just grasping at straws!

Doggymummar · 19/06/2023 19:27

That is all kinds of wrong.

GoodChat · 19/06/2023 19:27

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/06/2023 19:26

How the hell can Amnesty International get away with printing that? Its not even trying to be on the side of the abused, but basically ending it by saying "yep, you'll be a child abuser too soon"

I think it's saying when your brothers bigger I'll abuse him too. Naming him after the dead dad is the extra sick twist.

ladydimitrescu · 19/06/2023 19:27

Yeah I would be absolutely raging if my child brought that home!!!

IAmAnIdiot123 · 19/06/2023 19:27

It's a little boy getting sexually abused and the step dad insinuating he will also be abusing his beautiful brother when older too.

I found it hard to read and I am 33. The minute the special game was mentioned, I had to put it down for a minute. However, I am not a teacher and my children are very young so I have no idea if this is considered okay for that age group yet. Sadly there are many children, much younger than 11, who actually live through these awful events.

I don't think it should have been set as homework, this sort of passage should be read and discussed straight away in a lesson.

HollyBookBlue · 19/06/2023 19:28

Bloody hell. I have a Y7 kid. If they had this for homework I'd be furious. No way is that appropriate. Make the parents aware and email the head as well

Notimeforaname · 19/06/2023 19:28

Has to be a wind up

NoSquirrels · 19/06/2023 19:28

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 19/06/2023 19:26

How the hell can Amnesty International get away with printing that? Its not even trying to be on the side of the abused, but basically ending it by saying "yep, you'll be a child abuser too soon"

It’s not the whole short story, just the opening extract.

John Boyne is a good writer, but it’s just that this text is misjudged for 11 year olds.

dancinginthesky · 19/06/2023 19:30

The worst part is that the kids who are eleven mostly won't recognise it's about abuse unless they're being abused and it would trigger them horribly without any support. Set for from an adult who is aware what the story is about and aware they were giving it to an eleven year olds classroom

msmonstera · 19/06/2023 19:30

I have an English Lit background and taught at university level. As a child I read way beyond my age range and would encourage that in children in addition to critical thinking- but that piece at that age? Fuck no. I'd get onto the school first thing.

ThinkWittyThoughts · 19/06/2023 19:30

Jesus Christ.

That is NOT appropriate for 11 year olds, by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm quite glad your student didn't understand the meaning, frankly.

Definitely speak to your student's parents and raise with the school ASAP.

NoSquirrels · 19/06/2023 19:31

dancinginthesky · 19/06/2023 19:30

The worst part is that the kids who are eleven mostly won't recognise it's about abuse unless they're being abused and it would trigger them horribly without any support. Set for from an adult who is aware what the story is about and aware they were giving it to an eleven year olds classroom

Yeah, this is what I’d be afraid of, tbh. The motives of the person setting this work. It’s very dodgy.

YoucancallmeKAREN · 19/06/2023 19:32

Our education system is full of some very sick people.

Nearlyneverready · 19/06/2023 19:33

I bought the book which includes this story (this is an extract of one of the short stories) for my DS, who was 12 at the time. The book was recommended for 12+. When I read it, I realised it was completely unsuitable for a child his age - I’m just glad I looked at it first and didn’t rely on the recommended age suggestion.

YANBU

UncomfortableSofa · 19/06/2023 19:34

OMG!!! That is horrific for a child. What the hell???

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/06/2023 19:35

English teacher here too. It's entirely inappropriate for 11 year old pupils to be asked to read this independently for homework imo, and I don't think I'd use it in class either - I can't think of anything it does in terms or literary merit or skills-building that another text couldn't do instead.

Leeds2 · 19/06/2023 19:35

Up to you whether you contact the school yourself, but I would certainly tell your pupil's parents so that they can take matters further if they wish.

Pandamumium · 19/06/2023 19:35

I normally say that people are too sensitive, but no, this is totally inappropriate. I am a primary teacher and definitely think you should contact someone about it.

BreakfastClub80 · 19/06/2023 19:36

That’s really disturbing, I don’t think it’s age appropriate at all.

jamimmi · 19/06/2023 19:36

I'd let the parents know and possibly the school if you are directly involved with it. I remember having a conversation with DD English teacher in year 7 saying they preferred advanced readers to use school books from the library as read8ng in class books as they could check older teen fiction and Young Adult were appropriate for the younger years.

Craftsandgardens · 19/06/2023 19:36

I don't think it should have been set as homework, this sort of passage should be read and discussed straight away in a lesson

No, it shouldn't be read in a lesson. Not to 11 year olds.