DD hates her form

[Dancergirl]

Dd is in Year 8 at a girls school. At her school they have a form (for morning form time) and a separate teaching group (for most lessons).

Dd is generally quite laid back and happy-go-lucky but lately she has been increasingly unhappy in her form. Most of her friends are in her teaching group not the form, but that's not really the issue. The main problem is her form seems to have a lot of very outgoing, loud girls who often misbehave and/or are disrespectful to teachers. This often results in a whole class punishment. I think they are known for being the naughty form!

I am not a parent who rushes to school with every little problem and I do encourage dd to suck it up. I tell her that some things you have to put up with. But I'm wondering whether it would be reasonable to ask the school if she can move. I think they move forms around in Year 10 but that's over a year away.

It's not just morning form time they are together for, also PSHE. So most of the day she's with her teaching group but she's fed up of starting her day being shouted at when she hasn't done anything wrong!

Dancegirl:

Not sure if you have the opportunity to send feedback for end of year reports but frankly I'd just say that your daughter is finding the general disruptive behavior and whole group punishments upsetting, as she's not one of the culprits. I'd request that she is moved form groups - or that the school consider splitting up these personalities across forms in Y9 to quell their boisterous tendencies and allow pupils who are interested to get on with their learning.

I personally don't think anything you're saying or your daughter's feelings on this are unreasonable - your DD could help by also writing in requesting transfer to a different form in Year 9 and stating her reasons.

I'ts not pleasant raising a complaint with a school but your daughter is there to learn and the school management are meant to be providing an environment where that is feasibly possible - and from what you're describing that doesn't seem to be the case.

I think you have to allow the school the flexibility to decide what to do for best - but you are entitled to say that as far as you & your daughter are concerned enough is enough.

HTH

My DD2 was on the receiving end of a school punishment that lasted 3 years. No school trips. It was not her behaviour and I was furious because my DD1 had enjoyed wonderful trips in this period at the same school. I totally disagree with whole class punishment because it is shifting the responsibility of sorting out the problem onto the pleasant young people. The teachers are abdicating responsibility. I would complain and try and get her moved. She should not have to put up with this.

That sounds terrible milly No school trips is a harsh punishment. Dd's situation isn't as bad as that but she's still finding it very frustrating. And she's pointed out to me that form periods in Year 9 are very important as they focus on choosing GCSE subjects. She works hard and takes things seriously.

She's now had a chat with her form tutor (who didn't really get it at all, she kept referring to the teaching group when dd had said quite clearly the form!). However she's going to have a chat to the Head of Middle school and I'm going to email as well to back her up. Thanks for the advice.