Compulsory after school club

[btrd]

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.

" If it's opt-out, it's fine. If it become compulsory, it's not. But I doubt it does."

It's opt-out this term, with a view to go compulsory from September.

"Are you sure it is every day?"

Yes. Many parents (including us) are happy with once or twice a week. No idea what's going to happen when the weather is bad enough that they don't get to go out at school.

"Are you sure it is not one or two year groups a day?"

Yes, they started it yesterday, all 7 years.

"Do you work?"

We work part time, we make sacrifices to enable this -- peers who do full time have far bigger houses and fancy cars, that's fine, it's their choice, until it affects us

"You're complaining about extra exercise and social opportunities for your child that will still finish by 4?confused"

No, we're complaining about time taken away by a lacklustre pe lesson that could be spent on far more productive things (including exercise, time with friends from other schools, etc)

We could drive to school, which would save time, but result in less exercise.

I 100% agree with your post. Way too much for a 5 year old. After school childcare is a necessary evil for many parents but a) it’s not compulsory. Parents get to make that choice and b) good after school care will acknowledge that children are tired and hungry. They will have a snack, some relaxation. I’m sure many 5 year olds In after school clubs have a nap or a quiet story. That’s a world away from a formal PE lesson, most likely with PE instructors who to be honest usually know sod all about child development.

Cobblers to that or to losing lunch. For my son pe is bad enough in school time (due to his Sen coordination issues) without him being forced to do it after school too. Plus he does 4 plus hours a week of other activities that keep him fit anyhow.

It's 30 minutes a day. Most 5 year olds can fart around with socks for longer than that. Everyone loves their children just as much as you do but some people are able to put their own need to cling desperately to their motherhood identity aside and allow their children some autonomy.

Well it's a drip feed that the PE will be lack lustre. What makes you think that the lessons won't be any good?

Lacklustre? How?

spartacus the only way he can access pe is for him to go one on one with a teacher. Otherwise it’s hard to guarantee the safety of him and the other children as he is rather clumsy (as I was then, and still am now)

Not everyone who works full time has a fancy house you know. Some people work full time to afford a crappy/normal house and a standard/ crappy car and they make sacrifices too!!!!! You are coming across very judgy of people who have different circumstances to you.

Lucky you living near enough to walk to school. Not everyone does, or they have children in different schools so there's no time to transport them without driving, or they have to drive onto their workplace afterwards.

If the schools in your area are moving to a later finishing time then the start time of after school activities will in all likelihood follow.

I work part time and walk my children to school btw, but I have a mediocre amount of self awareness and empathy with other people's circumstances!!

I'm struggling to see the problem or the point of starting an angry thread - particularly one that goes off at a tangent attacking other parents. It's 30 minutes. Big deal. They're already there so can probably get a clear 25 minutes of exercise / a decent game of something going. Sounds great to me. But the salient point is that it's opt out. So just opt out!

Without having read the full thread, it's recommended that children get 60 mins a day of vigorous exercise so this is a way of getting extra activity in

The OP clearly said that from September she can’t opt out.

The OP clearly said that from September she can’t opt out

No she didn't. What she 'clearly said' was that they are concerned they might not be able to opt out in September.

She says whichever is more successful will be compulsory so either kids will be forced to lose lunch break, losing free play that affords, or be forced to stay later.

Tbh IMO either choice is crappy.

I think you are having a hard time OP.

I think most DCs spend plenty long enough at primary school. I also think that most primary school PE is a complete waste of time unless they get qualified sport coaches in.

I think a compulsory day 8 - 4 is too long, especially for KS1 kids, mine did 8.50 - 3.10 at most (KS1 was less), and that was plenty. They had the option of clubs after school, or could spend the time doing out-of-school activities which I think are just as important as they get to meet new people etc.

I (and my DC) also used to value the time after school to do what we wanted, which may have been watching TV if they were tired out, but also might have been a trip to the park, craft activities or cooking.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but if enough of you object now, they may re-think making compulsory.

OP sounds delightful

On one thread OP has managed to sneer down her nose at those who work full time, those who put kids in after school clubs, people with big fancy houses, people who let their kids watch screens and eat crisps, I'm also detecting you think you're somehow superior because you don't drive to/from school and cycle instead.....

I shan't bit, and instead I'm calling TROLL

You sound like a nightmare OP. Home school your precious moppet asap.

Op you're lucky you can keep a house going woth two part time jobs and no benefits, we certainly can't on just my husband's full time wage! I'm assuming no benefits because surely your self important I love my child more than you, we're there for him every second he needs us and school want to steal him from us routine would come undone if you were reliant on people working full time and not taking extra benefits out of the system to maintain your perfectly balanced life style

I'd prefer an extra half an hour of PE before school, let them burn off excess energy before forcing them to sit still for the majority of the day.

OP has not said what time school starts I don't think?

PE at that age is hardly learning to be a sportsperson, it's just exercise. I don't see how more exercise can be a bad thing, unless in the case of SEN.

Colditz you put it so well 😂

OP, you sound very unhappy. Not necessarily with the new opt out arrangements at school, but with life generally. Please, for the sake of your DC, try to be a little more positive, and try not to catastrophise.