Should teachers expect pupils to miss educational activities for detentions?

[circular]

Due to a homework misunderstanding, the subject teacher set a group detention for half the class, same day lunchtime.

DD explained she had an instrument lesson at that time, and as it was same day, could not be rearranged. She said DD could come after school that day instead. but DD had (school) orchestra practice. After muttering something about detentions not being arranged around kids social lives, it was rearranged for a lunchtime next week. DD has extra English tuition at that time, but felt it would be classed as backchat if she said anymore at that point.

Not sure why she told me, as she doesn't want me to intervene. I was quite annoyed, as the detention itself seemed quite unfair. Seems the teacher was in a bad mood that day. I have suggested she sends a polite email explaining the situation, (copying in the head of English who set up her tuition that this clashes with) and offering to go another lunchtime.

For the record, DD is in yr10 and has never had a detention before.
After school detentions would clash with instrument, music theory, school choir and school orchestra four days out of 5.

Interested what others think, especially teachers.

she was given the homework in the the lesson but chose no to write it down. Sorry, but that is no excuse, she is in year 10 and must make the effort to understand her homework and to complete it; not rely on it being on the internet as there are too many issues that can happen - for instance, who is to say that the teacher was late putting it on and that the site itself was not at fault?

It sounds to me like she has far too much going on and needs to cut back in order to meet her academic obligations; is she struggling to keep things going generally now she is doing her GCSEs?

Cricketballs - Shes not very well organised, so the gateway has been a great help for her. In fact the parents and students are encouraged to use it - had a year group evening mainly devoted to it recently.

DD not struggling at all this year, far better than last year, fewer sibjects majes a difference. She missed a fair bit of school in yr9 with medical appointments and then a competition she entered for fun that took over everything for a few months. We have had some serious talks about raking on things without realising the implications. The stress of option choices didn't help either, and it was also her first year at Saturday music school.

The extra lunchtime English is only for this term, but she will still continue with her study centre English for this year at least. Everything else is music related, but she also hopes to start D of E soon, so something may have to give.

"It sounds to me like she has far too much going on and needs to cut back in order to meet her academic obligations;"

Why do her academic obligations trump the other things that she has going on? Who decides that the 'other things' won't benefit her more in the long run?

I do wonder about this sometimes and why the push is all for putting what is happening in school first.

I teach Performing Arts and would be cross with a student who had to miss a rehearsal for a production or concert because of a detention. However, I would insist that the child went to the detention. When a child is involved in lots of extra curricular activities, it's important, IMO, that they realise they have a responsibility to do the standard stuff (ie get to lessons, hand in homework, stick to the behaviour policy) first, as NOT doing those things could jeopardize their position in the play/choir/orchestra. At my school, the PE dept takes a similar approach - no good being the star of the football team if you're a deliberate pain in the arse the rest of the time.

When I was at school, the HT took the opposite approach - I remember a really annoying case in my sister's year group where two boys were caught smoking in town when they should have been in school - one was suspended, but the other, who was on the athletics team, wasn't, as he was more of an "asset" to the school.

Sorry, OP, but I think your DD should have missed orchestra for the detention.

I think your advice is spot on she should do that

it should be extremely polite

I did mean the phrase as asking if she was doing too much juuule rather than suggesting that academia has to come first; however as so much is placed on academic results (including entry to many music schools) any student needs to be careful that they have a balance and not allow themselves to become exhausted and overawed by the enormity of everything they take on; some kids can do it, others can't

I would be asking why she is doing English Language a year early, if she needs extra tuition to do it. It seems to be that this kind of arrangement is for the benefit of the school not the student.

It is all part of the rush to certificate education rather than ensure that true learning is taking place.

It seems to be that your dd is under far too much stress. When I am stressed I forget things and find it difficult to prioritise. I would take this event as a moment to take stock.

I also think that she should get on and do the detention. The teacher has been very accommodating.

EvilTwins -agree completely. Your old HT sounds extremely unfair. I think DD should have just been late for orchestra that day, but she was concerned it was same day so worried she could not get a message to her music teacher. She likes to keep everyone happy.

Activate -she has sent a very polite mail although refuses to involve head of English until she has a reply.

Rennie -ALL year 10 are taking Eng Lang this year and Lit.in yr 11.
The extra English was arranged last year, after I kept questioning why DD does not seemed to have improved in English (according to her NC levels) since starting at the school. Her main problem is creative writing, so early sittings won't be doing her any favours -August born, immature writer.

Idont think she is generally stressed or overloaded. She is forgetful generally, but with homework has always previously remembered in time. Even if it has meant doing it at an odd hour, although that's not happened yet this year.

A bit stressed about her spoken English assessment as it has been put off a few times due to absence of group members. She also tells me that they cannot get above a C grade if they don't do the accent for their part. Sounds more Luke drama to me, but warrants a separate thread.