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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

Naming and shaming.

21 replies

bestbefore2020 · 17/03/2015 08:52

I would really like some opinions from other mums, especially those who have experience of teaching. Am I overreacting? My children go to a small and lovely village primary school (110 pupils) A new (inexperienced) head started two and a half years ago. It's not been great to be fair, she randomly introduces new rules which seem to be of little benefit to the children and she is very unapproachable. I usually keep my mouth shut, but lately, she has introduced a 'naughty book'. If a child is told off for talking, messing about etc, they have their name written in it. That's fine, but now it seems that the names of the 'naughty' children are then read out in assembly in front of the whole school, and they get a good telling off in front of everyone. My children, both sensitive, are horrified by the idea of this and so am I. It just seems so wrong to do this to very young children. Is it even allowed?

What do people think?

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/03/2015 08:57

That's not on at all. behaviour should be dealt with at the time. not be hanging over their heads all week ready for assembly.

how horrific for all the children.especially reception. they often take time to settle in and learn the rules and some just turned four so will of course get excited and talk occasionally.

Gileswithachainsaw · 17/03/2015 08:58

I don't like the idea of a record either. Every day should be a clean slate unless the crime was sufficiently bad enough to warrant punishment over a couple of days

Loveleopardprint · 17/03/2015 09:01

Surely it would be so much better to have a fantastic book?! Have the children who have achieved applauded in assembly and used as positive role models. A naughty book sounds very negative and I thought we had moved on from that type of discipline.

tiggytape · 17/03/2015 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PatterofaMinion · 17/03/2015 10:50

It's a bit Enid Blyton isn't it

I have to say this sounds appalling

Not sure what to suggest other than getting other parents onside and launching some sort of complaint procedure. Governors?

ragged · 17/03/2015 10:53

it's just going to alienate the kids with poor impulse control and make them not give a darn; if anything, it's given them attention for being badly behaved.

cartoonsaveme · 17/03/2015 10:54

Horrendous. I'd seek clarification first tho

Ragwort · 17/03/2015 10:55

Agree with tiggy - talk to the governors about what the behaviour policy is before believing everything you are told and then take it up with the Head (or governors) when you have full details.

Patinkin · 17/03/2015 10:58

Ugh. Appalling. What they said - clarify and question.
If it is the case then I am curious as to what the other teachers think about this.

Original poster

bestbefore2020 · 17/03/2015 11:02

I do tend to take everything my kids tell me with a huge pinch of salt - but sadly, on this occasion (I have made enquiries) there is definitely a naughty book, and yes, the names really did get read out by the headteacher in assembly yesterday. It just seems like such a backward step - and really upset me.
Not totally sure what to do about it, but have emailed the head and asked that if my children misbehave (unlikely, they are now too terrified), that the school contact me directly rather than humiliating them in front of their peers. (though not quite in those words)
Thanks for all your opinions.

OP posts:

Unexpected · 17/03/2015 12:18

If you don't get a satisfactory response from the Head, I would complain to Governors. That kind of "behaviour management" smacks of a school which has lost control.

StellaDrift · 18/03/2015 12:31

I have no experience of being a teacher...but at my primary school (3 decades ago) our head teacher used to do something similar.

I was one of the kids in the naughty register. It was humiliating, he used to do it when we had outside helpers from the village (in which I lived) in assembly, years later these 'helpers' still viewed me with some caution.

This woman has lost control imo. Whats next? Being sent to run round the play ground in just your pants and vest because you have forgotten you PE kit? Those days are gone for a reason!!

Those poor children

JiltedJohnsJulie · 18/03/2015 21:09

Has the Head responded yet Best?

PastSellByDate · 19/03/2015 11:05

Wow:

If this is a state school I'd suggest you ring the LEA and ask their opinion on this policy.

Something different but equally stupid was occurring at our school and my telephone call about LEA policy resulted in a phone call to the school, suspension of 'stupid practice' and a very contrite e-mail from HT to me.

Going over someone's head sometimes is worth it.

jennnnnnnnnn · 19/03/2015 22:54

Maybe the rotters should just behave then they won't be in the book!

snice · 19/03/2015 23:06

ask to see a copy of the school's behaviour policy-I bet the naughty book isn't in it!

Cedar03 · 20/03/2015 13:08

My daughter's school does the reverse and has the golden book of kindness. Teachers and other children can write in their class's book and their names are read out in assembly, with an explanation. Emphasising the positive. But then as a school they put great weight on kindness.

The next nearest school to us has started reading out the names of the children who are late for school in assembly. Funnily enough this has reduced the number of children turning up late....

TalkinPeace · 20/03/2015 16:37

If this is a state school I'd suggest you ring the LEA and ask their opinion on this policy.

But if its an academy, you are stuffed

goingmadinthecountry · 20/03/2015 19:28

I teach in a small primary school - that is definitely not on and is an absolutely ridiculous idea. I moved my own children many moons ago from a primary that had a Wall of Shame because of the ethos but this is so much worse.

MrsKCastle · 20/03/2015 19:38

That's a really damaging idea. Positive behaviour management is much more effective than negative- I've known a lot of schools that use a 'golden book' or similar, but not a nuaghty book.

Solareclipseoftheheart · 20/03/2015 22:26

Terrible idea - definitely confirm & if necessary complain

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