Edinburgh high schools

[indigox]

Hi

My child has just started S1 at Broughton High School and I'm finding it to be a complete disaster, and he's already dreading school everyday because of the environment.

So far within the last 2 weeks we've had:

• Children stealing waitrose trolleys, bringing them into the school grounds and driving around in them during lunch
• Seemingly daily fights
• Groups of S2/S3s following the S1 groups around and trying to force them into fighting
• Said group of S2s/S3s go by nicknames of "paedo 1" and "paedo 2" and telling them to "stroke my doggy" with pretty clear indication as to what they mean
• My child repeatedly stabbed with a pen in a classroom, the child wasn't punished, mine was sent out of the class because he asked the child to stop.
• My child punched by another child in a class today
• Complaints that a large amount of class time is taken by unruly kids causing trouble

He's dyslexic, has received no support or even acknowledgment of this whatsoever. In P7 we had a whole plan created around his transition to S1 with a focus on support for learning, as well as peer relationships and other things he's struggled with and was having counseling for, none of this has had any attention paid to it.

I'm assuming this isn't normal? I wasn't expecting it to be SO bad within the first few weeks, and if this is how it is now, how bad is it going to get as the year progresses.

And if this isn't normal, and this just happens to be an instance of a bad school - how possible is a move? Are places likely to be available elsewhere?

Really surprised to hear that. Have you spoken to your child's guidance teacher or head of year? Support for Learning are responsible for the transition plan being implemented, have you followed up with them to see why it's gone wrong?

My DC are at secondary school - also in Edinburgh - and this does not echo their experience at all. Particularly disturbing to hear about the S2s and S3s targeting S1s.

Have you spoken to the school? I would be asking for a meeting asap.

Followed up last week and called again today, but never got a call back, will try again tomorrow, asked for him to be moved away from sitting next to the child that's stabbing him with pens and punching him, though still concerned about the wider culture at the school re. behaviour and fighting.

Make an appointment to see the Head immediately. You need to get this sorted out without delay.

I would phone Head of Year tomorrow first thing
Would also keep my child at home until you get assurances things will substantially W

Improve

This is not the experience I’ve had with my child at high school in Edinburgh, she has special needs but certainly enjoys the school.

Disappointed to hear how awful my old school is now though , Broughton was never known for that kind of thing when I was younger

I wouldn’t delay in tearing the heads head off tbh

I would go to the Head first. It doesn’t sound like the Head of Year is much good if this has been allowed to go on with no replies etc.