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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Lining up to go into classroom in the morning

80 replies

peanutbutterkid · 12/06/2011 20:11

This system is new to DC school and every parent claims to hate it. Pupils used to be escorted to the door & then made their own way from there to their own classroom.

We're told it's usual system at most schools. Why? What's so great about it?

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2cats2many · 12/06/2011 20:15

Why do you hate it so much?

Clary · 12/06/2011 20:17

It's a good idea for children to be able to stand in a line quietly, as in their school life they will have to do it often and often (eg lining up outside class at secondary, lining up for assembly, to go on school trip, for dinner etc).

It's a sensible way to make sure you have all the children and settle them before they come into class; it's also impressing on them (IMO) the idea that they are now at school and they need to behave sensibly.

Why do parents hate it I wonder?

cubscout · 12/06/2011 20:18

This is the system as ds school, right from Reception. It's fine, the kids seem to like it, having time to chat to friends before they go in. No problem.

bigTillyMint · 12/06/2011 20:20

It's what most schools do and not a problem AFAIC.

Seona1973 · 12/06/2011 20:22

ours always line up in the playground and then they are taken to the classroom. I used to do it myself when I was at school

Sidge · 12/06/2011 20:22

Have done it at every school my DDs have been to, since Reception (apart from thet settling in period at the start of Reception for the first few weeks when parents can go in).

They can be in the playground from 0830, then the whistle goes at 0845 when they then line up and are escorted in by their class teacher who comes out to get them.

Except when it's pouring down and then they can go straight in.

ninah · 12/06/2011 20:23

We used to do this, now Reception parents come in with dc and mingle - for the first two terms. Makes a loud, chaotic start to the day which is unable to get properly under way before around 9.30. Bring back the line!

Panzee · 12/06/2011 20:23

So the old system was unaccompanied children making their way to the classes? Sounds like a nightmare to me.

bluerodeo · 12/06/2011 20:23

It's great because The classroom entrances don't become bottlenecks with young children, parents and buggies etc etc.

midnightexpress · 12/06/2011 20:28

Why do the parents hate it? It seems fairly harmless to me. Gives the children a few minutes to calm themselves down and remember that they've left their lunchbox lying on the wall. If it's wet, they go straight to the classroom and wait there.

Our school lets the parents accompany the dc to the classroom for the first few days of P1 and then the pupils are encouraged to start lining up.

I was most impressed by the lining up in assembly - they do hands on the shoulders of the person in front, like soldiers, to give themselves enough space. My American pal was dumbstruck that her son did it

AbigailS · 12/06/2011 20:28

Many years ago a school I was on teaching practice did this, but none I've taught at or either of my DCs schools. It was suggested at one of my previous schools (just as I was moving on) as a way of encouraging children to come into the classroom quietly and independently. We had a problem with the tone of the start of the day when rowdy before school games (when they were still their parents' responsibility) meant children entered the room in an "energetic play" state of mind. Also lots of parents came in to the classroom to hang up their DCs coats, unpack their bags, etc. and despite subtle and very obvious "please let your child organise themselves" comments it continued. We were happy for the odd parent to come in with a quick message, etc. but parents in the room was unsettling some children and delaying the start of the register and lessons. Then it seemed to escalate and about 3/4 of the parents in some classes seemed to be doing it. I think the school was going to trial it in the September after I left, so I never knew how it worked out. Maybe your DCs school is concerned about similar things?

unfitmother · 12/06/2011 20:29

Don't see the problem.

cat64 · 12/06/2011 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LetThereBeCake · 12/06/2011 21:29

it's what happens at my DCs' school.

They dump their bags in a line when they arrive (appropriate line for each year group). When bell rings they go to line, pick up bags, and go into school. I can't imagine going in with them at any age. They know they have to hang bags and coats on pegs, put lunch boxes on shelf and water bottles in crate. They get on with it, even the 4yos.

Ixia · 12/06/2011 22:11

At our school, reception pupils go into the classroom with their parents, the other years line up - tis fine, no problems and everybody seems happy with the system. Although I confess I miss taking DD into her classroom, now she is no longer in reception, it was nice to have a wee peep at their classroom and see them settled.

TheFlyingOnion · 13/06/2011 07:52

parents are allowed to come and drop the kids off in the classroom in our school (I'm year 2). Getting them back out of the classroom is a complete nightmare and every morning the first five minutes is chaos. I frequently get halfway through the register before the last parent has finished smooching their child and has left. It also has created a culture where parents feel they can wander into the classroom any time of day. I hate it.

exoticfruits · 13/06/2011 08:06

It is teaching independence and is a nice calm start to the day. (especially important if you have the type of parent who won't let go and hates it!)

Bucharest · 13/06/2011 08:09

We have to escort kids to a central meeting point and leave them with the teacher. Then they go croccy file to the classroom.

Why on earth don't parents like it? The only reason I can think of (so they don't get to sit Junior down in the classroom, make sure he's got his bickies and his pencil and then have a word with the teacher about how he's feeling a tad under the weather seems to me to be an excellent reason for doing the lining up thing!)

Greenshadow · 13/06/2011 08:15

Our DC have been to a total of 5 primary schools between them, and at all they have lined up prior to going in to school first thing in the morning. Not sure I see the problem.

notyummy · 13/06/2011 08:20

Exactly the same as Sidge - DD who is in reception has done this after a the first few weeks where parents were allowed to bring them in. Parents can stay and wave them in if they like (at a certain point in the playground so kids are tempting to cling limpet-like to mummy.

That said, there are still 1/2 kids who occasionally have problems leaving mum/dad and they will walk them over to the line and give them a kiss etc/unpeel them. Not seen as a problem by the teachers.

Works well and haven't heard any parents complain - most people just amazed how well their kids comply with the 'when the whistle blows, you all line up' rule. If only it worked at home.....

notyummy · 13/06/2011 08:20

so kids ARE NOT tempted

MummyDoIt · 13/06/2011 08:21

We do it at our school. Reception children can go straight in to their classroom through their own entrance. Everyone else lines up. Apart from calming the kids down, it's much safer as there isn't a rush for the door and children pushing through together. Don't see what the objection could be!

SandStorm · 13/06/2011 08:23

I've never heard of a primary school that doesn't to it actually.

bruffin · 13/06/2011 08:34

At DCs primary the reception go through their own entrance. Parents take them to the outside door and handover to the TA or teacher. All the rest line up outside their classroom door (the infants class room all have a door to the playground and another to the hall way. In juniors they just line up in the playground.

hester · 13/06/2011 09:02

If I was allowed to set one foot inside my precious darling's classroom you'd need a shoehorn to get me out. Which is why I have to reluctantly applaud the school's policy that they have to line up in the playground.

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