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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

Why is it schools always pick the same children to do everything?

49 replies

FimboGotAxed · 08/10/2008 16:29

My dd came home with the list of the school captains today. No surprises as to who has been picked.

Dd said there was no balloting or voting, the children were picked as they "work hard".

Dd's friend has been picked and I am pleased for her and dd has congratulated her.

But it is the same children chosen every single time. Writer of the week, Golden Child etc etc. Ok granted the children picked are quite vocal and will do the job well, but what about the other who work are maybe a bit more quiet but work away equally as hard?

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Original poster

FimboGotAxed · 08/10/2008 16:30

Sorry last sentence is complete rubbish.

What about the other quiet children who work equally as hard?

OP posts:

sagacious · 08/10/2008 16:30

Tis good training for later life.

Life is not fair sadly

Eniddo · 08/10/2008 16:31

dh calls them the town councillors of the future

x, in dd1s class is on the school council, always reads in church, has won star of the week twice - dd1 - nothing. well she is in the choir I suppose.

Eniddo · 08/10/2008 16:31

no prizes for being diligent and quiet until you suddenly overtake the vocal ones at about 32

Original poster

FimboGotAxed · 08/10/2008 16:32

I know.

I just seems a tad unfair on the rest.

My friend went to a parents evening where the teacher was bigging up another child constantly. Eventually my friend had to say I am here to talk about my child not X.

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Eniddo · 08/10/2008 16:32

to be fair - a lot of the time they ASK who wants to do it

dd1 would rather die than put her hand up

she is cool.

Original poster

FimboGotAxed · 08/10/2008 16:34

Oh my dd wouldn't want to do it but plenty of her friends would and they just don't seem to be given the chance.

OP posts:

Eniddo · 08/10/2008 16:35

children with pushy vocal mums get it here

slightlycrumpled · 08/10/2008 16:52

Same here, always the same children that read more in assemblies, school plays, church etc.

It is a standing joke in our house, DS1 calls them the usual crew.

Saying that DS would also not put his hand up to volunteer but would probably benefit from having his confidence boosted. I do think they should allow all children a turn actually.

Still, fewer words to learn at home I guess!

Mercy · 08/10/2008 16:59

This is my dd you are talking about!

Tbh she doesn't always want to do/get chosen to do these things and has felt under a bit of pressure a few times.

And I'm certainly not a pushy parent.

(what on earth is Golden child?)

christywhisty · 08/10/2008 17:06

It was school governor,s children at dc's primary school under old head, and there is a daughter of one of the teachers who seems to be chosen a lot, but she is a bit of a spoilt single child, quite talented in a showy stage school sort of way.
However it is my DS now at secondary school, he seems to be the child that is always being chosen. He got made House Captain and prizes at prize given etc but he is a quiet hard working boy.

ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 17:08

I think they do tend to be the most upstanding ones though. DS1 and I KNEW who they'd pick this year to be House / School captains etc. We just knew. He's all tall and perfect and plays the trumpet.

I don't think it matters that much. DS1 and I agree no point peaking at 11.

ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 17:11

Yes, agree with Enid. Play it quiet, be a bit subversive and then peak at 32.

Is a life plan anyway.

Mercy · 08/10/2008 17:14

Yes, I wouldn't describe dd as outgoing but she's articulate and is quietly confident.

I can see why teachers want to pick children who are reliable for assemblies, plays etc but I still think taking turns is best.

Apart from anything else it's quite cute to see a child who is trying their best and enjoying it

MoonlightMcKenzie · 08/10/2008 17:17

Is is a posh school? I always find posh schools, particularly fee paying ones always pick the kid that will most impress future parents.

AbbeyA · 08/10/2008 17:32

I haven't found that. One school made a really quiet boy who hardly spoke the school council rep and he did the job well! At another school the children have to write why they would like the job and read it to the rest of the class-there is then a secret vote. I would bring it up with the Head.

lemonlady · 08/10/2008 17:34

A lot of the time its the kids with confidence, good loud voices who get picked for school plays, talking in assembly etc..
some just wouldnt want too. dd teacher last year would ask
who wants to speak in assembly, you wuld be suprised how many dont want to. about 90% off the class.
btw my dd is the kid that does is, she has great confidence (am very jelous to be honest wish i could be more like her).

AbbeyA · 08/10/2008 17:41

I think a school play is fair enough-the audience need to hear them. All usually have the chance to audition-the teacher will choose the best for the part.

slightlycrumpled · 08/10/2008 17:47

To be fair I think your right mercy. My friends child is always picked for these things and gets upset that it is always him that has to learn so many words.

Taking it in turns seems the best option imo.

christywhisty · 08/10/2008 17:50

At DS's school they had to apply for the role of Headboy/ girl of Lower school and House captains.

It was like filling out a job application

nolongeraworriedmummy · 08/10/2008 19:52

Fimbo at the school I worked at I caused quite a ruckus (sp?) as I was put in charge of the golden book, best work etc while a supply teacher was in for a couple of months as I knew the children better than supply did. I chose the ones who werent the bright ones but who worked bloody hard everyweek and the quiet ones who were always good and therefore got no recognition because they didnt scream and shout all the time.

It used to annoy me that the children who consistently misbehaved all the time got rewarded when they were good which is fair enough but the kids who were good all the time got nothing!
One child once said to me, theres no point trying anymore because the naughty ones either spoil everything so no one gets a prize or win they prize anyway, made me sad.

rachels103 · 08/10/2008 20:06

At the school where I teach we had a democratic ballot for team captains and class council reps.

For harvest assembly we asked who would like to read and made sure they all did (later in year for other services will make sure others are given the chance)

For star of the week and achievement book mentions, all teachers keep a list and try to make sure every child has it at least once in the year (as long as they deserve it) - 'catch the buggers being good' philosophy can mean the ones good all the time end up getting left til later.

Does that make us particularly fair? Thought it was the norm...

roisin · 08/10/2008 20:22

At the boys' primary some things are based on children volunteering and being willing to put in extra time to a project or to audition. For instance ds2 got a major part in the last play because not many boys were willing to even audition for a part with a solo to sing.

My gut reaction is that my boys have done "more than their fair share", but it's largely because of them putting themselves forward rather than the teacher selecting them.

Other things are selected on a purely talent basis - dss have never represented their school at swimming or soccer, though they would dearly love to have done so!

3littlefrogs · 08/10/2008 20:32

My dd always said that she would never, ever get a prize or an award etc, because she always worked hard and was good. The rewards always went to the naughty ones if they managed to be just a litle bit less naughty on any given day.

She was very wise - even at 7.

rachels103 · 08/10/2008 20:49

Fair point 3littlefrogs if that was directed at me...it can be a bit like that which is v. unfair. I was that child at school (always the narrator in the blimmin school play) so I do try to notice them all.
(Note to self...must make big fuss of hard working quiet children tomorrow)

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