Punishment in school

[KatusM]

My child is attending year 2 in England. Yesterday he lost his break because we have not signed his reading record 5 times. He was not able to go out to the garden and was told if he did not tell me to sign his book he would lose his break again.

He is in a required curriculum level so this was not a boost club. This was a punishment because we did not sign his book. He read almost every day. He has no issue with reading. He completed his year 2 spelling target tests. So I believe he is on the right path.

I sent a very upset email to the school, of course they ignored me. I assume they will try to catch me in the school pick up and tell me a story why this is important.

Today morning my child had a breakdown about this and cried because if I did not sign his book he would lose his break again.

I am really considering taking this further because they do the same with numbots. If a child does not manage to complete 5 mins a week they lose their break.

Who shall I go to? Apparently other parents already put concern into the school but they ignore it.

Am I the one who overthinks this?

I’m all for children being punished when there is a need. Not for pointless shit like this. And not when it’s not even their fault. And not having a break is hardly appropriate punishment for a young child.

@Barefootsally don't you check your children's bags daily. For letters, manky squished sandwiches, party invites etc?
Take the diary out and sign it then. Takes ten seconds.

See times I have a changed about signing the homework/ reading book since I was at school ... not

That bloody book was the reason I learnt to forge my mums signature.

Sorry no other input than that but yanbu op

But how is it fair for a child to have a consequence for something their parent did or didn’t do?

If OP was complaining that her child had lost break time for being rude to the teacher, I’d agree she was overreacting (although personally I don’t think it’s great for small children to lose much of their running around time - it’s better for everyone if they can burn off energy), but this wasn’t any of the child’s doing.

Go to see the teacher rather than email. They could be a different story as not all 7 year old are able to relay accurate information. Having children in at break time is extra workload for the teacher so the decision won't have been taken lightly.

Ultimately if you are not happy, move your child. Don't get into conflict with a school for their policies. I assume parents have received instructions in regard to reading and what the school expects?

Also I really wouldn't encourage your child to feel it's unfair, it's school, they have rules and parents and children have to follow the rules. That's life. If you don't like the regime, move.

OP, I say this as a parent and an ex chair of governors. This is awful. The school are not making child centred decisions and are acting in a way that disadvantages their most vulnerable pupils. I would do two things:

1. Take your concern direct to the chair of governors.
2. Sign ahead in the book each half term. The schol are not interested in whether the child has read, they are interested in whether the book is signed. So sign it.

This doesn't mean that I don't think that reading with your child is really important, it is but you are doing that already. The schools approach is fundamentally unfair, sets up conflict between parents, child and school and disadvantages the most vulnerable. It should not be accepted.

I did admit I made a mistake only signing it 4 times last week. I believe as quickly as judging me hysterical and telling me my child is not the centre of the universe you manage to read and understand what I have written above. Clearly not. My problem is that my child has been punished severely for a mistake I made. ( just to make it clear I wrote quite a few times I did not sign his book, did you read it? )

So you agree that it is ok to be punished for something that you have no control over? Because this is what is happening.

Also as I am who is the one who made the mistake and did not sign has not been even informed about that.

We are still talking about a 7 years old who lost a break because of a mistake he did not make.

Please do not comment on my tread any more. I feel you only try to pick fights. I do admit several times I made the mistake I did not sign and I am upset because of the extent of the punishment he got.

They should have written to you. It’s unacceptable to punish your child for your mistake

I'm a recently retired teacher and I think this is appalling on the school's part. For a first parental offence, and without warning, they punish a. 7 year old. There's no way that any of the schools I've taught in would do that.

If they're going to have a policy of punishing pupils this way (and they shouldn't) it's got to be made very clear at the outset. Ideally with a note stuck on the inside cover of the record book at the beginning of the year

I'm surprised that so many posters are beating OP up about this. Even as a teacher I'd occasionally forget my own kids' school stuff. I can't believe that all these perfect parents have gone/will go through their children's primary education and never forget something as small as signing a reading record ONCE.

I thought we had moved beyond punishing the child for the 'sins' of the parents, but clearly not.

It does not matter that the parent did not sign the book - there are many reasons why parents do not do this and a young child has no way to enforce this on their parents. For some children mentioning it will lead to conflict and possible harm.

This sort of policy negatively affects children who already have difficult home lives - so it is a double punishment.

It is completely wrong and I would take it to the governors to explain why the policy is so harmful.

I agree it's unreasonable. A child with parents who don't give a shit will always be losing their break for something over which they have no control.

This is very good, sensible advice.

Why are you looking to blame the school then if you realise this is your fault?

Just set up a repeating reminder on your phone now to sign the book and it will never happen again, problem solved. Seriously how much time do you have in your hands to make such a big deal out of this? Get a grip.

We were only told to read at least 5 times a week. My older one in year 7 attended that school and never lost a break because I forgot to sign. We have not got any heads up to sign the book just to read. We do that. I comment frequently on the book, because most of the times we read extant, not just the school provided books. Or if we go out we choose somewhere which can be educational, including some activities which require him to read, and write. ( like national trust trails where you have to find hidden things ). If they would tell me If I miss a signature I would literally sign it for a month.

You are letting your child down. Even worse you are also teaching them to ignore simple rules and complain about the consequences.

Your child is doing what is asked of him. Your school is doing what is asked of them. Only you are deciding to ignore everything and then think you should complain about it. Get off your arse and sign the bloody book.

As per previously explained. My child been punished for the fault I made.

I am not on my arse, I wish I was. I am doing my best and signed the bloody book 4 times instead of 5 times. Apparently as per recommended above and all over we should just signed it no matter we do read don`t read. I will do that from now on. But still did not sort the issue why my child been punished for something which is out of his control?

I second this advice to have a chat with the teacher except for the "don't get into conflict about their policies." Why not challenge the policy? What does the school's homework policy say?

I work in a school and a single parent successfully challenged the Deputy Head for keeping the entire Key Stage in at break time once following their collective poor behaviour in assembly. One parent challenged it saying children needed down time in their day and also because it said nowhere in any school policy (for behaviour or homework or otherwise) that missing break time would be used as a strategy. Parent challenged it, took it to the governors and won, apology ensued and all those children were granted an extra 'free' break time. Keeping children in at break time/missing break was then clearly written out of any behaviour management strategy thereafter as the governors agreed that children need movement and fresh air breaks to learn and focus better.

It only takes 1 person to strive for a change.

As said you picking a fight. Today is my day off so I do have plently.

For the last time. Because they punished a 7 years old child for something he cannot control. That is why I asked others if this is OK or not. Apparently lots of people agree with me on that.

Please stop commenting. Respectfully :) Thanks!

I think it's outrageous. I've been a teacher for thirty years and I think it's a terrible system.

I would take it further. I would want to know if this is an actual policy or whether somebody somewhere just decided it would be a good idea.

Just sign the bloody book.
Not difficult, presumably you’re supervising his reading?

Don`t take me wrong, if my child would do something, ( acting out, being silly in class or not completing his work ) I would agree with the punishment.

But here this was totally out of his hands, however been punished for 30 mins. Which I believe is harsh, not conductive and will not help him want to read more, or love to read more. The only thing that will happen here is he gets anxious to go to school because if I make a mistake he will still be punished for it.

It is your fault but DS is not blameless. He knows the obligation to get the book signed, so after his reading session which he did daily as you say he should have come to a parent to get it signed, not just assume you will do it. He is old enough and responsible enough to do that. Every single time. Mum/Dad don’t forget to sign my book!

@KatusM so if you know the school and trusted them take a soft approach and enquire what's needed. I suspect there is something else behind this

My advice, go into the school and have a chat with the teacher but don't do a harsh start up, listen to what they have to say. As I mentioned this won't have been fun for the teacher having many children kept in so there is likely to be solid reason.

You and your child are a team. It is your childs obligation to read the book and your obligation to sign the book. Without both 'it didnt happen'. Or do you expect them to call you each time to check? Its a learning environment for your child to learn to read but to also learn responsibilities and obligations. He needs to ensure his mum lives up to her side of the bargain in future. My guess is this simple punishment will ensure you do.

Someone needs to stand up for the children whose parent's can't. OP I applaud you.