Invitation only extra-curricular clubs?

[thinkingmakesitso]

Are schools allowed to do this? Ds is a little disappointed today as a club he wanted to join is not open to him for the above reason. It is for a fairly low-key activity (not sport) that would not require specialist equipment etc and I am not sure whether to raise it.

He is extremely well-behaved and the teacher running it taught his class last year and praised him to the heavens - I think is fondness for her is part of his sadness. In addition, and I know how this sounds, but it's true, a boy seems to get the biggest part in every play, has been council rep for 3 years etc etc has been invited.

In such a small school is this right?

My point is, really, it isn't necessarily favouritism. There is literally no way that DD's school council contests could be fixed, and no reason for them to be (and I imagine other schools are similar), and sometimes it's just that someone does happen to be better or worse at some aspect of life than someone else.

Not entirely sure that a fascination with the Labour leadership elections means that you're the best person to decide whether the PTA should buy the school a barbecue or a sunshade........

And when I say everyone should have a chance I'm not talking favouritism or fixed voting. I just think that it's such a good experience that as many people as possible should have a chance. So do it once, then stand down. Give other people a go.

Do you think the same should apply to other teams/opportunities? Like eg football or whatever. I can't see that running.

What I meant by the Labour leadership thing was just to show that actually she is really interested in politics to an extent that I would consider unusual in a child of that age. I would have been bored stiff by that kind of thing at 8.

I teach in a secondary school and I know from experience that it is popularity, rather than an objective assessment of suitability for the role, that gets students voted in! I think schools should attempt to develop skills that pupils may not yet have, rather than strengthening those that a pupil already possesses.

I do actually think if it's the usual school council one or two per class thing, you shouldn't be allowed to run consecutive years. And I say that as someone who's dd usually came off well in anything of that nature. Young kids don't usually put much thought into voting, someone who did well last year/ their friend/ the person who said they'll campaign for a swimming pool etc is more than likely to be voted for, and in all honesty it's an unusual cohort if only one child is capable of doing the job.

"Do you think the same should apply to other teams/opportunities? Like eg football or whatever. I can't see that running."

No. But any elected post, yes.

And I really don't think being interested in politics necessarily makes you a good school councillor! Although I'm sure your daughter is brilliant at it.

And the sport thing is different because in team games schools can and do give less able pupils a chance to participate by having them as subs etc, and in athletics it the simple fact of being the fastest/highest/best thrower that gets them representing the school. Being on the school council requires a more varied skill-set and it is a subjective decision who is best suited to it.

Just read the threads complaining that the same child us chosen for every team even though the posters child is just as talented at sport and is never picked for anything ...

No idea if she is brilliant at it or not. But she loves it and takes it very seriously indeed.

I do think it is funny that sport is never treated the same as any other opportunity. Of course we must field the very best on match day but it's perfectly fine for X to have a big role in the school play/school council/prefects/whatever just because he wants a go.

I suppose it's the only political process she can currently participate in, as an 8 year old, which is why it's so important to her.

Do you really think an interest in politics has anything to do with being on the school council?
Most of the speeches for these sort of things (if written by the children rather than their parents) sound more like beauty queens than politicians, e.g I think I'll be good because I like helping people.
We have various council/committee roles and half of the kids who want to stand do so for more than one, and they give more or less the same speech whatever.

I think the school council is one of the very few political outlets available for small children. If you are interested, naturally you are likely to want to be involved. No, I don't think an interest in politics necessarily means you will be good at it or suitable to be involved (dear Lord, just look at some of our actual professional politicians).

I think you are unlikely to be elected multiple times in a row unless you are both popular and have shown some interest in carrying out the role to the best of your ability (much like those actual professional politicians, good or otherwise).

"Of course we must field the very best on match day but it's perfectly fine for X to have a big role in the school play/school council/prefects/whatever just because he wants a go.Of course we must field the very best on match day but it's perfectly fine for X to have a big role in the school play/school council/prefects/whatever just because he wants a go.

I don't think that at all. As I said- I think elected posts should be time limited. You can audition for a
play or try out for a team but you have no idea whether someone will be a good school councillor or prefect until they give it a go. Interest in the democratic process is completely irrelevant.

Surely the difference is that sports team and plays are cast by teachers and coaches? So on ability? Whereas the school council is purely a popularity contest? I knew, despite being very clever and interested in politics, that standing for head girl was a total waste of my time as I wasn't popular.