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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

Compulsory after school club

99 replies

btrd · 17/04/2018 10:00

Our son's primary school has started opt-out PE lessons after school, from 1530 to 1600, which most parents think is a great idea.

We don't, he is 5 years old, by the time we pick up, get home, in, changed, homework etc there's barely any time left for playing before it's dinner, supper then off to bed. The school wants to steal 2.5 hours a week of time with him away.

The academy runs two primaries in the area, one they are trialing this extra PE lesson during lunchtime, the other after school. Whichever is "more successful" will be compulsory from September, I suspect that many parents will think "great free parent-outsourcing"

Our son really likes school, but this feels like the straw the breaks the camel's back and we'll have to go for home education.

Can they do this? How long can they extend the day for? Until 5PM? 8PM? If we insist on removing him early can the school stop us?

Why don't they just keep the kids in Monday 9AM to Friday 8PM, I'm sure half the parents would love that, allow them to go off to their busy lives without the annoyance of having to look after children.

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GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/04/2018 10:02

So just opt out? No big deal, you’re overthinking (and judging!) others who do want to though.

GuestWW · 17/04/2018 10:06

What does your DS think (and yes I know he is only 5)? He might love doing this a couple of days a week. It is really hard for the school to fit in lots of PE, so kudos to them for trying something different.

inkydinky · 17/04/2018 10:08

What a horribly judgemental post - plenty of parents work to pay bills (or because having a career is worthwhile and fulfilling for other reasons) - that doesn't mean they view their children as an "annoyance".

Perhaps move schools or home school if you don't the choices the one you chose are making rather than slagging off the other parents...

Hersetta427 · 17/04/2018 10:09

I think you maybe over estimating the amount of homework- surely it does take that long (my year 6 only gets 2-3 pieces a week and that is only at the weekend) but if you are bothered, just opt out.

Personally though, it sounds great - the more exercise the better.

Kirta · 17/04/2018 10:11

So PE isn't offered as part of the core school day at all? (Sorry if I've misunderstood!)

Sakurasnail · 17/04/2018 10:12

Bit overdramatic there op, thinking an extra half hour of opt out sport is going to progress to finishing at 8pm in the evening, and your only alternative is home schooling. Pretty sure no academies do this (happy to stand corrected), so how can the mn hive mind comment? You either need to directly ask the school, or someone who runs similar. But I highly doubt they'd want to spend on the extra electricity etc in school, nor would staff be happy with these changes.

Hersetta427 · 17/04/2018 10:13

I hadn't read your last paragraph when I posted - do you really equate parents wanting their children to do 30 mins of physical activity a day as akin to their children being an annoyance? If you really think like this, just withdraw them and home school them so you can show everyone you love them more than the terrible parents who send their kids to school.

wannabestressfree · 17/04/2018 10:15

I think with your sneery attitude you would be better suited to 'going back to home ed'.

'School stealing time' overdramatised much?

MyDcAreMarvel · 17/04/2018 10:16

Pe is playing, you are massively over reacting.

user545787 · 17/04/2018 10:17

Jeez, that’s extremely judgemental. You do realise a lot of (most?) kids are in some kind of activity club/childcare after 3.30pm most days? Because, you know, people have to work?

I’m a SAHM and I think it’s a great idea. Not because I want to offload my child, but because it’s great to get into the habit of daily exercise, it’ll be fun and the kids will love it. There really isn’t much homework in KS1, 30 mins on the school day is nothing.

Homeschooling because of this is the most crazy over reaction I can imagine...

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 17/04/2018 10:17

You sound very, very high strung.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 17/04/2018 10:17

But OP can opt out for now but maybe not from September. It also affects after school clubs. They often start at 4/4.15. Could you suggest that the school starts at 8.30 - that will help more parents as they can get to work for 9, then have PE at the end.

btrd · 17/04/2018 10:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Pictureiswonky · 17/04/2018 10:23

If this is upsetting you so much, you are probably better off homeschooling. There are plenty more ways the school will annoy you over the years otherwise.

AuntieStella · 17/04/2018 10:25

It won't be a 'compulsory after school club', it'll be 'extending the school day DP so we can fit in more PE' and it's likely to be popular (so DC can just play at lunchtime)

I suppose I don't see it as a biggie because when I went to school (back when) we didn't finish until 3:50, and my DC finished 3:45. So 4:00 seems hardly any different.

Yes, OP, if you really do not want a school day of this length, you will have to switch state schools or HEd (no use suggesting private if you want a shorter day).

Is your DS in YR (or equivalent) or Y1? I ask because bedtime will probably get a bit later soon, and requests for things like joining a footie club, or Beavers, or some other club appear. So your evening routine is going to have to evolve somewhat, almost regardless of where you choose to educate him.

Outedsochanged · 17/04/2018 10:26

So the sports club I volunteer to run for the school after school for which there is a waiting list (and where only 3 of the 30 would use the paid after school care otherwise) is a waste of time? My involvement means that 30 kids get an hour of exercise every week they wouldnt otherwise get. They work hard and have fun. They love the recognition they get when they compete. They make new friends and work as a team, but play at the same time.
If you want your kid to go home and not learn new sports, cement friendships, learn more about team work and challenge themselves then complain to the school. I don't care if Im offering free childcare, I'm helping the school and helping kids who chances are would go home and sit in front of a screen and where would that out the next generation.

Sakurasnail · 17/04/2018 10:26

And yes, I am judgemental over parents who think it's adequate to stick their kids in front of a glowing screen feeding them crisps all afternoon.
Where did this come from?
Blatantly goady post

user545787 · 17/04/2018 10:28

Waaah?! Where does the glowing screen and crisps come in???? The parents want them to do 30 mins PE after school and you thought that was bad? How does that link to kids being plonked in front of a screen?!

Jobbieshitkakaboudin · 17/04/2018 10:29

Im in another country - my kids are in school 830-430, come home and manage an hour of music practice, then homework before eating dinner and playing till bedtime. Their friends all mange similar. Your poor DC can't be away from you an extra 30 per week?
Seriously - independence is an important skill to teach your child. Please don't deprive them of this.

Also, you are not the only parent in the world who values time with their kid!

user545787 · 17/04/2018 10:29

I think you are just winding us up...

Kirta · 17/04/2018 10:33

How is it compulsory, if you can opt out? I think it's a great idea that schools are trying to increase Physical Activity. It's 30 minutes! Some parents spend half an hour chatting in the playground at the end of the day!
My daughter does, and always has been dropped off at breakfast club at 7.30 and some days at after school club until 5.30pm and we still manage homework, swimming, dance etc.
I think for a system that is opt out (which you have said you would), and beneficial for children, you are making a mountain out of a molehill...

mrscloppity · 17/04/2018 10:34

But if they're doing PE, they don't be plonked in front of glowing screens and eating crisps, will they?

brilliotic · 17/04/2018 10:34

Hm. I wouldn't like that.

What about after-school clubs - will they start at 4 and go to 5? Or will they be replaced by this extra PE?

And will these 'after' school PE sessions replace regular PE? Or be additional?

If the whole school does this, won't there be a resources/facilities problem? Presumably there is only one school hall...? Or is the idea more that everybody runs around the field for half an hour every day, rather than proper PE?

At age 5, I wouldn't have wanted DS doing something 'after' school every day. (Our school finishes fairly late at 3:30, we usually run around on school playground for 20 minutes or so, then walk home leisurely - up to 45 minutes. Rarely get home before 4:30.) Now at 7, he has activities most days, but only some of them are sporty - I wouldn't want to give up all his other things, e.g. music, because there was compulsory sport every day after school.

It's great, in principle, to get everyone active every day. We do that by walking/cycling 2km up a hill to school. There are voluntary before and after school PE classes on offer most days. We don't partake in them because unlike many children at our school, by the time we reach school in the morning we've already had half an hour of fresh air and 'exercise', and the same by the time we get home after school - I don't need to take the children to the park, they've been 'playing' outside for over an hour. If the school PE activities were compulsory, we wouldn't be able to walk anymore, as we wouldn't have time. So my child wouldn't have more exercise, but there would be another car on the road.

Those kids who go to after-school-clubs (childcare), having 30 minutes running around before leaving for club could be a good thing I guess; though I can also imagine that many would prefer to have some quiet time to wind down instead.

Really I think it's great if something like this is on offer, but it shouldn't be made compulsory.

SpartacusTheCat · 17/04/2018 10:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bonnyshide · 17/04/2018 10:40

It can't be made compulsory if it's after school hours...just opt out.

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