Headteacher and five staff suspended!

[Educationalshame]

Have name changed so not to out myself. My children go here :(
I received a letter and that is it. Teachers will not really speak about it to me. What do I do?? Reading the attitudes of the other members of staff "What are teachers supposed to do?" Does not reassure me. Advice? Thoughts? Anyone..

learnandsay, what would you then do with all the children who'd been kicked out of your school?

Oh yeah, nothing. They'd just be left to wander the streets.

Fucking great idea.

Until you know the true course of events I would continue to send children to school but with lots of support - if they have something to tell you they won't get in trouble etc - you know the drill

I'd be more concerned about the continuity of education while 4 teachers aren't there. Have they got temps?

The flip side is that if said child was doing something which put his or someone else's LIFE at risk and they DIDN'T do anything - what would you say.

Also, why didn't they call the police who are trained in restraint ?

Born in the 80's.
We weren't caned or hit in school. Being send to the head teacher was terrifying. Not because she was nasty but because "what would mum and dad say?" You knew 100% that mum and dad would back up the school, be ashamed of your behaviour and extend this with punishment and withdrawal of privileges at home.

Now: In my experience, a lot of parents fight you as a teacher, claiming that their DC fighting with another student in class is "just harmless kids." Or that if a DS or DD is verbally abusive then "you must have done something to deserve it." There seem to be no consequences in a lot of cases. Not all of course but in my school, a lot.

In some schools behaviour is a real problem. I do not condone this school a "policy" in any way but in some schools you genuinely feel like the children and parents have no respect for the system. Exclusion is seen as a "treat" it is devastatingly sad.

OP. if you're uncomfortable and in a position to then keep your DCs at home. You can always tell the LEA you will home educate them for a little, (there are lots of online resources that you can utilise) and apply for places in another school.

OP, I think you can be certain your children won't be locked in any cupboards at this school anytime soon!

Are any of your children's class teachers suspended? If not, then I expect their day will remain pretty much unchanged, except they will have a new HT for now.

The suspended HT should have known better than to allow this practice, and it seems her attitude has filtered down through the staff. I think all staff will have had a bit of a wake up call now, and the temporary HT should ensure they know the appropriate way to deal with aggressive children in the future.

One member of staff, who has not been suspended, said today: 'The issue is one of false imprisonment of a nine year old (because) the door on the small calming down room is lockable. This boy had really lost it. What were the staff supposed to do?

Maybe implement some sensible behavior management strategies?

The Local Authority has found emergency staff.

If you think that Kiaran Stapleton should have continued his education in a mainstream school then you can't be surprised at what happened. The list of children/youths who have been mollycoddled when they should have been disciplined and if necessary locked up is endless.

If someone is violent (for whatever reason) the best thing to do is put them somewhere where they can't do harm to other people. Nobody should be at the risk of harm because people are trying to understand somebody who is kicking pupils and members of staff.

School is for learning not for kicking people. Martial arts classes are for kicking people.

why didn't they call the police who are trained in restraint?

Seriously?

Hmm, Telegraph describes a knife too.

the best thing to do is put them somewhere where they can't do harm to other people

I terms of primary school children, learnandsay, where would this be and how would it be funded and run?

We have got the head teacher from another local school atm. All my children's teachers are there as normal. Apart from my Son's TA (SENCO). I am going to try again to speak to someone tomorrow before work but I doubt I will get any reassurance. I hope it will all be over very soon so I know the full details and can take appropriate action if needed of course. :(

I bet schools which have a number of violent pupils don't want a constant stream of blue flashing lights and high-vis jackets criss-crossing the playground. Probably easier to just send the children and some teachers to a secure room out of the way.

Personally I have a much easier solution.

It's already run, they're PRUs.

And you apply that to 4/5/6 year olds L&S????

I've actually had a name change since my DD was attacked last year by a boy in her class (some people may remember my post). The boy in question is now her best friend. Children change, they aren't all as compliant as you'd expect

Op, I have a 4 yr old primary school child in the same town as you but different school. I would try not to worry. From what I've read locally it's been blown way out of proportion and the dm article. Well it's the dm isn't it? Says it all.

'No support for teachers trying to maintain discipline.'

That may or may not be true, - but why should a small child be punished for it?

You're damn right I'd apply it to anyone, my own children, my grandchildren, me, anyone. Good behaviour is good behaviour and bad behaviour is bad behaviour and there are consequences.

You haven't answered my question about your own dc, Lands.

leanrandsay, Pupil Referral Units are very costly and ineffective for younger children, and they are rarely provided for primary school chidren who quite often need more appropriate specialised support either in mainsteam or in special provision.

What is your costed solution, I wonder.

Yes, consequences involve being sent to a sensory room. You really should be more accepting of children who aren't as 'perfect' as your own

Learnandsay my school in the 80s before caning was banned, used it quite thoroughly, the same kids who were caned were still the same ones who got into trouble time and time again. Having a riot police van parked on my way home from school most days didn't stop violence either, or even big street fights.

Yes kids like me did worry about punishment/what our parents would say, but then we were the good kids. It seemed to make little difference to the bad ones. Oh and no-one told teachers the awful things going on (paedophiles and child prostitution, among others).

My DCs school has a sanctuary room, it is build into a space under the stairs, and is very small (I have been in it). However no child is put their against their will.

And Pru are crap and don't help, why anyone thinks its a good idea to put a group of difficult children together always puzzles me. They need one on one support and help to understand why they are acting this way.

LineRunner, what "specialist provision" do you have in mind?

Feenie, I missed your question about my own children, but if any of them tried to kick a teacher, yes they would be expelled and yes there would be hell to pay at home.

I don't want to understand why they are doing it I just want them to do it somewhere else.