The role of the lunchtime supervisor?

[earNoseAndThroat]

My DCs go to a small (2FE) school which is generally good on pastoral issues. However, things seem to break down during the long lunchtime break. My 10yo has been having a few friendship issues, and it sounds as if a few dominant characters are making some of the more sensitive children unhappy, by excluding them from games and through low-level ridicule.

There are usually 2-3 lunchtime supervisors on duty at this time, and they are also parents and/or TAs at the school, so know many of the children fairly well.

Is it reasonable to expect them to intervene with conflict resolution? I know one of them quite well, and she would keep an eye on my DS if I asked her to, but would it be within her job description to intervene, or are they just expected to let the children sort things out for themselves?

yanbu BUT Sounds like few MSAs ratio to lots of children; they can deal with immediate major incidents but not subtle unseen things (sounds like you are describing chronic subtle incidents). Better to talk to teacher so that they impress upon the kids how to be nicer and can coordinate with the MSAs to identify which situations are recurring and to watch out for.

It should be part of their duties to look out for this. But you wouldn't talk to them direct. You should go over your concerns with the teacher who should them put strategies in place to deal with this.

Part of this will be more vigilance from the playground supervisors.

But also the teacher should be talking to the class as a whole about this issue and why it isn't appropriate etc.

Thanks IIjkk. The juniors have their own playground, and lunchtimes are staggered between 12 and 2, but yes, there are still a lot of children to monitor.

I think some male play leaders would help - the supervisors are all mums of girls so might not be so naturally watchful of the power struggles between the boys.