Question about break times at secondary school

[SpeedwellBlue]

Hi, Just wondered what happens at break and lunchtime in a typical state secondary school these days. When I was at high school we could either stay in our form room or wander outside. We were mainly on our own, but a teacher would be on duty and they would circulate round the school and look in to check all ok. Is this the same now or do kids have to go outside and be supervised at all times like at primary school?

They have places they can meet, where depends slightly on weather. DS has a specified corridor for his year group to go to for socialising when wet, & DD's school when wet they just circulate anywhere inside where allowed. Else always outside & rather minimal supervision. Expected to get own arses to class when bells ring.

Thanks Holiday. I liked being able to stay in the form room and sit around chatting etc, but I'm sure schools do whatever they need to do. (Got a dc starting secondary in 2015 so just curious. )

We do not allow them unsupervised access to classrooms as stuff goes missing/gets damaged and no-one generally owns up :( They have inside, common areas if the weather is bad or they want to stay in. If they wish to read/work they can go to the library if there is room.

Thanks adoptmama

Seems to be lots of options at dd's school. From her description some rooms/corridors are out of bounds, but otherwise lots of places they can go. The ALN area has a staff presence so kids who want to be somewhere supervised can go there (dd used to go there when she was having bullying problems, & often hangs out there now anyway because she has friends in the ALN group & its an easy place to find them). Mostly otherwise she seems to either go to the library as she also has friends amongst the helpers there, or in nice weather chill outdoors.

DCs school :
they can be in their tutor rooms, in the dining hall, at the deli, at activities, out on the fields / on the MUGAs / in activities / friends' tutor rooms (if the other tutor allows) / milling around corridors and paths

there are 1600 of them so all permutations really

Thanks Takver and Talkin. I might ask next time I look round.

At dds' school, there are some areas they can be - communal areas such as dining room and hall - and some they can't - mainly the classrooms, (and obviously labs, etc).

Our DSs are allowed to go into town which I really don't like at all.

At DDs school they're allowed on the Astro (but only to play football so it's mostly boys), outside but there's not that much outside space. Not allowed inside the classrooms, but they can sit in the corridors and in the atrium/theatre. Basically anywhere indoors except classrooms.

Thanks for your replies. Talkin, what sort of school do your dc go to? Just wondered as your dc are allowed in tutor rooms which doesn't seem to be standard.

Comp.
Most of the others round here do the same.
THere are far too many pupils in the schools to provide other spaces for them to hang out.
DS s tutor room is a tech room. THere are clear sanctions if anything gets damaged. Same for the kids whose tutors are science labs.

Thanks. There's 1500 in the comp my dc will go to, but I guess I won't know what happens at break there til I ask on a tour.

It was never something I thought to ask about TBH
I worried more about pastoral / bullying / results than the minutiae of how the school mamaged the kids.
THe 6th form college DD is off to in September has 1500 per year. I've no idea, and do not really care, where they go at breaks.

I worry more about pastoral / bullying / results than the minutiae of how the school manage the kids too. Have been on a couple of tours there before where those things have been covered and have asked around/researched. Was just something I wondered about in the day to day life of the school. Thanks again.

TBH the "vibe" at lunchtime is cheery when I pop in to drop off paperwork.
That'll do for me.

They either hang around outdoors or in corridors or in the library or canteen. They are not allowed in classrooms. The older kids are allowed off-site at lunch or sixth formers can hang around in the common room.

Duty staff are assigned to areas of the school to patrol but generally the children are well behaved.

Thanks intheend