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Original poster

School using Sparklebox handouts

13 replies

thereinmadnesslies · 13/11/2013 09:14

DS 2 is in reception at an indie school. I've noticed that some of the worksheets he brings home are from Sparklebox. I've googled and the director of Sparklebox daniel/samuel Kinge is a convicted paedophile. It seems like lots of LEAs banned access to Sparklebox at the time, but may have relaxed it now. I've found old mums net threads discussing the issue in 2010/11 when there was a lot of media attention, but nothing more recent.

Does your DCs school use Sparklebox? Personally I feel uncomfortable about it (eg that Kinge could potentially use the profits from the site to fund paedophile activity) and want to raise this with the head, but I'd like to hear what others think on the issue?

OP posts:
changeforthebetter · 13/11/2013 09:19

DDs' school uses them sometimes. They also do OCC Hmm I want to complain but I also need their help with DD's statement. I suspect most teachers at their school just aren't aware.

Original poster
thereinmadnesslies · 13/11/2013 09:23

What's OCC? I know what you mean about picking your battles, I'm worried that the teacher will think I'm a loon for mentioning it then it will be harder for DS

OP posts:
NumTumRedRum · 13/11/2013 09:23

My dd's school use them a lot in reception. I haven't mentioned it yet, but I've just become a parent governor so I will raise it when I know a bit more. Some schools draw the line at not downloading any more material but continuing to use what they already have until it can be replaced. The majority of our worksheets are of the heavily re-cpoied variety. I would imagine it takes a long time to replace all teaching materials and it wouldn't be practical to throw it all out at once.

NumTumRedRum · 13/11/2013 09:24

Occ - operation christian child. A charity with an agenda to convert their donees.

Original poster
thereinmadnesslies · 13/11/2013 09:26

Fair point numtum, but DS1 was in reception at the same school from sept 2010 - July 2011 and I did not see Sparklebox handouts, which suggests they were downloaded post-2011 and therefore during/ after the publicity about Kinge. I just find it really odd. For what it's worth, I work in publishing and if an author did anything 'unsavoury' they would be removed from their role at the first opportunity.

OP posts:
Original poster
thereinmadnesslies · 13/11/2013 09:27

They are doing OCC too - I'm just ignoring the letters Blush

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 13/11/2013 09:33

Our school did use them - a mother pointed out the connection and they stopped using them.

NumTumRedRum · 13/11/2013 09:36

Oh I don't agree with it, if it were me in charge, I'd make it a priority to get rid of it all. I will be bringing it up, but I don't want to go in guns blazing without knowing the reasoning/thinking behind it (if indeed there has been any). The school has only just come out of special measures and has a new head so I guess they have other priorities.

I'm very glad this school is not promoting OCC.

ReallyTired · 13/11/2013 09:36

I suspect that an independent school might not know the history of Sparklebox. Many LEAs have banned the use of sparkebox resources. Why don't you suggest that your child's teacher use Twinkl instead?

changeforthebetter · 13/11/2013 09:37

BTW I like your name therein Blush

prh47bridge · 13/11/2013 23:25

Being pedantic, OCC is Operation Christmas Child, not Operation Christian Child. It is the shoebox gifts scheme operated by Samaritan's Purse. Local churches in the areas where these gifts are distributed may offer a booklet of Bible stories with the shoebox (it is never included in the shoebox) and may also invite children to attend a course entitled "The Greatest Journey" provided the child's parent or guardian consents. The gift of the shoebox and its contents is unconditional and many are distributed in areas where they are not allowed to offer the Bible stories booklet.

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