Our 7's started today. We are a 'Gum Free School' and this is emphasized in the prospectus, Open Evening, school tours, notices everywhere and during transition days and evenings. In addition to this every new pupil had an interview with a member of SMT last term with their parents and both had to sign a behaviour contract.
Today I taught a class for the first time and a boy came in chewing. With it being their first day I told him to put it in the bin and give me his packet of gum. I explained, as the whole class said their tutors had explained, that normally this would be a 10min DT at Lunch but as it was his first day I would give him one chance. To which he replied "my mum's a dentist and she says I have to chew gum after I eat". I pointed out he was at a GFS and started the lesson.
10 minutes later I saw him take gum out of his pencilcase and go to put it in his mouth. Naturally I intervened and this time issued a DT( never had to do this on the first day before!). He was the only pupil in DT.
After school I get a furious call from his mum. I had humiliated and upset him and she wanted a public apology and his gum back. I explained that the gum was available for him to collect at reception as he left and that he was lucky not to get an additional 30 min for disrespect. She then ranted about the school policy and said she would complain to the LA.
I just wanted to say if you choose to send your child to a school with a clear policy on an issue it is not helpful to react in this way. He was a real MLS but she had done he a great disservice by encouraging him to break clear rules.