Draconian or what?

[swedishmum]

Or maybe I'm over-reacting. Dd (Y5) has just moved into a Y5/6 class with a new teacher. Spelling and tables tests were on Friday. If a child gets more than 2 out of 20 wrong they lose all breaks for that week. Apparently one poor boy is losing all his breaks plus a bit of lunchtime.
I'd really appreciate views of others - any teachers?? - before I draft my letter. Should also add I don't really rate her in a few ways (I speak as a teacher who has previously worked at thye school).

TIA

I have no school aged children yet, but that seems so wrong. Extra homework to help them learn the words maybe? Don't they all have "golden time" now, so maybe lose some of that, but all breaks for the week is terrible!!

Seems a bit harsh to me. I think you should raise your concerns, but unless you have other specific areas that you're unhappy with and that the school can address, I wouldn't add that you don't rate her as a teacher.

agree with WWB

is this a uk state school?

Yes, state primary. No I'll leave my other concerns out for now (such as incorrect definition of pronouns in h?w and homophones given for spelling test with no definition - broach).

My other concern about this - some children (eg dyslexics) find tables very hard - sequencing, memory etc. I certainly would not accept this if it was happening to my dyslexic ds who will be in her class next year.

I'm shocked at this. This sort of thing didn't even happen when I was at school many many years ago. How did you hear about it?

harsh harsh harsh

dd told me so of course I said no darling I'm sure you've got the wrong end of the stick etc. Dd has been ill (faking?) today and a friend of mine had been to see the head yesterday - apparently it is all correct - "it'll mean they'll never do it again"!! Fine if they'd been bullying but getting a couple of tables wrong... I'd rather they weren't scared of going to school tbh

sounds highly unusual to me

Awful, awful, awful! They are only five ffs. Outrageous. Big complaints due from all the parents. I'm truly shocked and horrified. Children of five need breaks much more than they need bloody spelling tests.

Aloha, while I don't disagree with your point that the children need breakes they are in Year 5, so are aged nine not five.

Still not good, I'll agree but this isn't with reception children

no I wouldnt accept that for my children.

getting tables wrong is something that happens to nine year olds, not a crime.

Er, no. At this rate it'll be a much smaller school too. I feel a bit a bit uncomfortable as I'm planning ondoing some teaching practice for a postgrad specialist diploma I'm doing. Don't really want to kick off but obviously my children come first.

I think you are being very restrained. I would have been in there right away. It's very bad practice- can't see hope it helps the children's self esteem. I appraciate that some facts need to be learned by heart but she needs to come up with a way that encourages them and builds their self confidence. She needs to make it fun and kinaesthetic.I would go and talk to them asap as I bet you £5 that this is not her only "foible" shall we say and my suspicion is that her other foibles will be equally as curious.

I agree with all comments.
It's awful.
Very soul destroying for that poor boy who just can't do it and would make kids hate School.

I think that is disgraceful and I would be complaining if it were my childs class experiancing this.

As a former teacher of Year 5, I think this is ridiculous punishment, especially as they only have to get 2 things wrong out of 20 to warrant the punishment!!!

If they were only getting 2 out of 20 right, then maybe I would have kept them in for one break and asked them to look again at the spellings, or tables, but every break time in the week!!! - and that would only apply to children I felt were being lazy and not performing to the best of their ability - if they were children who had problems with spellings or maths, then different criteria would apply anyway.

Truly Shocking.
I'd be very angry.
Some people aren't great spellers. It's not a crime.

Thanks everyone - so do I go in to head, speak to teacher (I know this is the correct route but my least favourite) or write? I'm quite up for a letter asking her to explain the rationale and suggesting a couple of more appropriate alternatives.

I wouldn't write.
I wrote a letter of complaint on a different subject and it felt a bit impersonal and unfriendly. In fact the head came to chat to me in the playground and said, 'You must feel free to chat about these things. Don't spend your precious time writing letters'. I knew she was right and felt a fool. I think I'd written the letter as I was quite angry about the subject. I wish I'd had the courage to address it verbally though.

Thanks spidermama, I'm sure you're right. I get on very well with the head so it would seem strange. Also I'll be able to guage her reaction better face to face and I'd hate to skulk around wondering if they'd read it yet.