Is it normal to give a DS detention for something a parent hasn't done?

[Ilisten2theradio]

DS had a 15 minute detention today because I hadn't signed last weeks homework planner.

I had seen it and forgotten to sign it. BUT I think it is unfair to give him a detention for something that I didn't do.

WWYD? Or WDY think?

[mummytime]

bigbluebus we have a similar issue for some pupils at DCs school (some come from a village by bus). I think part of the punishment of after school detentions (most are in school time) is that the parent moans and complains.

[Haggisfish]

Checking planners are signed is one of the bains of my life as a tutor. It amazes me more students don't have the nous to forge the signature, or get it done weeks in advance. I tend to find parents who sign them are the sort of parent who know what is going on anyway and vice versa.

[DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn]

DSs school has a mentor system - two 6th formers in each tutor group. I think many tutors palm off the planner signing onto them!

[Lancelottie]

It could make an interesting interview question, actually.
'When in school, what approach did you take to the requirement that your planner had to be signed every week?'

Persuaded parents to sign = straitlaced, organised, suitable office manager
Forged signature = unscrupulous but effective, might make a journalist
Ran two planners = tax accountant for Amazon...

[RooneyMara]

God it sounds a pointless punishment for something so pathetic

Are all secondary schools like this?

[chocoluvva]

:o at Lancelottie
This sort of approach by schools drives me crackers! What is it with schools these days? As if the curriculum isn't overloaded already and paperwork isn't excessive best require teachers to check that a form has been signed by parents every week.
I know this will make me sound like an old gimmer.....
But to continue this rant anyway - I did well at school despite no parental input. And like my parents I consider that I support the school by doing my utmost to have the DCs there on time, behave themselves when they're there and foster an attitude that values EDUCATION.
The older teachers I know don't approve of asking parents to sign homework planners and suchlike nonsense as they know that some parents just won't and they'd rather their pupils spent their evenings doing scouts/brownies/swimming/reading for pleasure/practising an instrument/baking etc than spending ages doing ridiculous projects.
Schools are not gods - they're institutions which are meant to provide an education for six hours a day five days a week. After that they can buzz off with their endless planners, projects, dressing-up, £4000 trips to latin america etc.

Great thread - YADNBU

[mummytime]

Checking planners doesn't need to take long! My DCs school has 1/2 hour form time each day (at 1:30), some of these (1-2) are used for assemblies. 1-2 are normally "reading", the other one the teacher goes around and they have planners on desk, it takes no more than 5 minutes to check everyones planner (I have done it as a student at another school).
If you are very strict at the beginning of the year, they know you will turn to detention page and write in warning or detention.
At all schools I know planners are diaries given to students at the beginning of the year, and they are supposed to betaken to all lessons, and detentions will be given if not done so.

Students do much better if parents are involved. Yes some parents couldn't give a damn, but that isn't an excuse for schools not to try.

Also most detentions at DCs school are given at Lunchtime, often in the Hall with SLT on duty, sometimes in a central space for specific subjects.

But maybe this is why DCs school is one of the highest performing Comprehensives in the country?

[seeker]

Or you could just sign it?

[DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn]

DS1 told me I had to sign his planner as he was leaving (late) for the bus this morning. I refused as there was no time and he told me it would be my fault he got a detention. I simply pointed out that it was his fault he hadn't asked me at any point in the last 24 hours or so. [shrug]

[noblegiraffe]

Tutors get bollocked by heads of year if they don't monitor planners and signatures at my school, so the shit filters down.

[pastoralacademia]

DS1 told me I had to sign his planner as he was leaving (late) for the bus this morning. I refused as there was no time and he told me it would be my fault he got a detention. I simply pointed out that it was his fault he hadn't asked me at any point in the last 24 hours or so. [shrug] charming!!!!

[ChippingInAWinterWonderland]

Are they nice planners?

stationery addict

[DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn]

Who's charming??

[pastoralacademia]

[DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn]

What are you on about?

[DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn]

Please explain your comment, it would be most helpful.

[lljkk]

Please, SuffolkNWhat: What does it mean to YOU for a parent to sign a planner? I've never been told (apologies if answer is buried somewhere in this long thread).

[Lancelottie]

Ah ha! Completion of homework, not setting of homework? So we should be signing it for a week or so previously, not up to date? (Head explodes...)

[chocoluvva]

I care deeply about my DCs education - that's why I buy them books at Christmas, encourage their academic interests, ask them if they've homework to do, discourage too much screen-nonsense - but I'm not prepared to sit over them doing homework in the evening.
My DCs' excellent (state) schools don't require planners to be signed.
Most of the posts on this thread give the impression that signing planners and checking they've been signed is a largely meaningless activity.

[lljkk]

So the point of parent signing is to make a statement that to the best of their knowledge homework has been completed?

In your planners, are detention plans recorded in the previous week or elsewhere, are parents expected to check different pages of the planner?

Why is none of this ever explained to parents?

Two of the local secondaries has parental logins, with info on them like homework & debits. I think I would find that more accessible (DS planner is away at school with him half the time). Sadly, DS school lacks parent login accounts.

[RooneyMara]

Bit in love with Chipping, here

[Blissx]

You didn't come on here to discuss his SN, yet mention it a couple of times with the tone that this should excuse him, so don't be too harsh on Arisbottle!
Incidentally, it appears the school is trying to support his dis-organisation by following procedures and repetitive consequences rather than just ignoring it and letting him off the detention because of his statement, with the possibility it might get worse.

[gallivantsaregood]

TBH I think that saying it is the child's responsibility is in mnay circumstances unfair.

Ok this was an accident. But not all parents are consciencious and some just don't care and some may even just refuse because they are gits! And the child recveives the punishment......

It is my opinion ( and I am allowed to have it) that there are still lots of teachers around who enjoy the power imbalance of child/teacher and I have a wee problem with that.

I am also aware there are lots of really great teachers too, but that doesn't help the kids stuch with not only crap parents but power hungry teachers to boot!

Rant over :)