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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.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

jellycat1 · 17/04/2018 12:42

greatduck

PuppyMonkey · 17/04/2018 12:45

Ignoring your revoltingly snotty tone and “oh it might be all right for you but not us” vibe, I actually think you have a point OP. I wouldn’t be happy with such a change at all. For sodding PE lessons? No chance.

The only way forward for you is the local paper and a sad face photo imho.

NoSquirrels · 17/04/2018 13:00

I think you should just write to school and suggest that it remain 'opt-out'.

I'd opt my kids in - not because I want to 'go off to [my] busy [life] without the annoyance of having to look after children' or because I'm 'sticking my children in front of the Tv with chips' but because opportunities for physical exercise are best given every day, to make it a habit, and I think my DC would benefit from it. With the best will in the world, I cannot organise a netball team, a tag rugby team, a cricket team or any other 'team' sport in my 2-DC family. My DC wouldn't fancy going to a cricket club as a purely optional voluntary after-school activity in the same way that they're keen for other things like swimming etc., but they might discover something they enjoy and then we can do more of it. They won't get that chance, even with the best will in the world, with 2 30-minute lessons per week, when half the time is spent getting changed!

Fine to say you want the option to opt-out. Rather judgemental and ridiculous to say you think everyone else is just rubbing their hands at off-loading their children. Remove your judgy pants.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 17/04/2018 13:04

Tbh though my other issue with this is that atm my son does two academic clubs, would all these clubs disappear to make way for this PE. Plus as teachers are not paid for these clubs how would they be sure they’d have enough staff?

amyacq84 · 17/04/2018 13:07

To say that parents work full time just to afford fancy cars and houses is completely ignorant. I work full time because I don't want to have to claim any additional money from the government, but don't judge others that do! I work in travel which although rewarding in other ways, the pay is pretty terrible, but I'm actually classed as an average UK earner. My son has been at full time nursery since 10 months and will be going to breakfast and after school club potentially every day when he starts school. He will thrive there just as he has thrived at nursery where he is one of the most advanced children of his age group.

BarbarianMum · 17/04/2018 13:08

Well your choices are:

Suck it up
Move school (never heard of a primary that has a compulsary 8am-6pm day so think you'reunreasonably knocking out this choice), or
Home educate.

Lucky you to have 3 choices.

Dancingleopard · 17/04/2018 13:10

Op are you stressed out all of the time ...

WidowTwonky · 17/04/2018 13:51

How on earth does your school have that many PE teachers?? Ours is a large school and still only has 3 PE teachers (actually they are HLTA)

Notonthestairs · 17/04/2018 13:58

You might have a point Op - however your messages are so loaded with inflammatory, judgemental nonsense about other families/School stealing time that any rational argument is lost.

Short answer - No I don't particularly want my kids to do a longer day if it gets in the way of after school activities.

wonkylegs · 17/04/2018 14:09

From your tone I suspect that anything said that gives an alternative viewpoint to the one you already have will be ignored or derided but here's my two penny's worth.

Personally I would see how the trial period goes before panicking. I would have no problem with this. It's going to take some organising for the school as well as the kids.
I think you are having a bit of a knee jerk response to something you weren't expecting and don't know how it will be so are expecting the worst.

I went to a school with extended hours and it was absolutely fine, kids are amazingly flexible and they often cope with all sorts of things we don't give them credit for.
Having PE at the end of the day may help them wind down from learning as well as burning calories.

Many many kids go to after school clubs and have extended days anyway whether by choice or circumstance and they are fine and manage to have family lives.
He won't be tiny for very long and you will probably find that by September he will not find the day as tiring anyway.

lifechangesforever · 17/04/2018 14:09

Do you honestly think that the school are going to make their day 8-5?! Where on earth would they get the staff for that.

You're being ridiculous and over the top dramatic.

I'm pretty sure they can't make anything after school hours compulsory so you just opt out, like you are doing for the trial.

Jeez, my poor child will be at school/wrap around care 8-6 every day. However will they cope? God forbid that I want and need to work.

LouLouLove · 17/04/2018 22:35

er, it's 1/2 hour extra, not exactly the end of the world, oh and you can always opt out.

Meopham · 17/04/2018 23:50

Why is it 'opt-out'? Just don't go. That makes it 'opt-in'.

CompletelyExhausted · 18/04/2018 01:08

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

How will it affect you? Are you sure 'that's fine', because it isn't coming accrual that way.

You r lucky to work part time. My husband and I work long hours and do lots of juggling. We don't have a big house or a flashy car. For your information, we also don't put our children in front of the Tv with bags of crisps (often ), nor do I want to pack them off somewhere or see them as an annoyance.

I love my children as much as you love yours. They are my world.

I see your point OP (although it's heavily disguised and hard to find among all the judgemental nonsense!) but maybe just put your energy into encouraging retention of the opt out policy. I think it seems like a great idea, but I can see that every day might be a bit much for some little ones.

Noqonterfy · 18/04/2018 01:16

Meh, I'd be happy with the extra 30 free mins so I can sit on my arse drinking coffee. (Or working to keep the roof over their heads.)

BigSandyBalls2015 · 18/04/2018 06:32

I'd love the extra time to spend in the pub

jaimelannistersgoldenhand · 18/04/2018 06:44

I wonder what your son does an extra 30 minutes of that means PE can't be scheduled into the school day? Hopefully it's extra at playtime/lunchtime.

Cowsopinion · 18/04/2018 09:56

Honestly what's the big deal?

Just don't do it.

Also why would you have to home school? Is there no other schools in your area?

Charmatt · 19/04/2018 21:03

If the extra 30 is compulsory from September they are, in effect, changing the school day. They should give you 3 months notice that they are doing it and also have to inform the L.A. regardless of whether they are maintained or an academy. If they are maintained then you can make your feelings known to the director of education at the L.A. Alternatively, ask the school why they have not consulted with parents on the matter.

tomhazard · 22/04/2018 07:14

My DD would love this- great idea. But yeah, opt out if you don't want him to do it- no need for the drama or for pulling him out to home educate.

Seth · 22/04/2018 07:37

Op as others have said... no need for any drama. Just opt out. Or Home School., or whatever but I fear for your stress levels if you go through life reacting quite so dramatically to small issues like this.

I used to catastrophise / awfulise stuff.. I didn't really realise I was doing it until I was in therapy for a while about ten years ago. I see it in boatloads in all of your posts. Ie 'if we ever get into Beavers he won't be able to do that either' - can I ask what time Beavers will start? I am sure it will be possible - just a bit more of a rush but that's just life eh? Not the end of the world.

I do object to your hugely judgmental views of other parents however I also think this is a great idea , mainly for the children but as a single parent to 2 DCs I work very hard to support them. You talk as if everyone has the option of going part time and earning less money so they can spend more time with their children. That's a luxury that you can both afford and one that many others would dearly like to do. No massive house or holidays here but I work full time just to support my DCs and yes, your school's arrangement would save me a bit of money in childcare so even better!

Stop judging and start living in the real world rather than your bubble. As others have said , there will be many things that the school does that you won't agree with over the years so perhaps you might be happier home schooling. Not sure your DS will be better off but perhaps better for you.

Vicki864 · 24/04/2018 10:57

I think this is possibly my children school too n I find it judgmental that u automatically assume because I let my children stay till 4pm, which by the way I ask them everyday if they want to, I find my children annoying!!! My children have done this everyday last week and loved it and still when they came home managed to go and play in the garden, come in n have tea, do homework and still bath n bed for 8. We also have football training on a Tuesday at 5 and still managed to make this and my children still enjoyed it after the 30mins exercise. All children and famillied are different and yes my children do enjoy sitting and watching a film we call it a movie time, that doesn't make my child obese or us bad parents. I think you have your own opinions based on your child but to judge the rest of the parents at the school is not very fair.

Beckibrown · 24/04/2018 11:04

I believe that our children go to the same school, my son has just started this and he absolutely loves it. They have a company that come in and they do different activities which broaden the children’s skills. Last Friday they were doing archery as well as the typical PE activities. I work 30 hours a week, I don’t have a big fancy home or car but it helps me so I don’t have to worry about getting stuck in the typical 3pm school traffic. They are trialing it at the moment but in September it will become compulsory. It’s not a bad thing. They are asking that as many pupils do it as possible so they can get as much feedback as possible. Try not to be negative about it as they are being as fair and wanting to get fair to the pupils as well as parents.

Mumof2boys18 · 24/04/2018 11:05

My 2 children go to this school, one in KS1 and 1 in KS2.
I let my children attend the extra 30 mins activity everyday, not because I find them an annoyance or I want an extra half hour to myself, I let them attend because they enjoy it. Both my children care out on the first day and said they loved it and wanted to go everyday.
I find you very judgemental of all other parents. I too work part time, I don’t own a big house or a fancy car and I certainly don’t let my children sit in front of the TV with bags of crisps. If you actually let your son attend and let him have a say you will probably find that he enjoys it as do all the other children that attend.
Would you be happy if your son was missing out on learning time because the school had to fit it into the school day, I’m guessing you wouldn’t, as I wouldn’t either.
It’s 30 mins. What’s the big deal?

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