How does your secondary school refer to the people that attend it?

[golfbuggy]

Sorry a clunky title!
DD is in Y6 so we've done the round of secondary open days. DS (who is in Y8) came with us and brought up that one particular school had referred to the pupils as "children" which he thought made them sound babyish. He tells me that in his school teachers commonly refer to them as "young adults". In correspondence home and when I've been talking to school staff they always meticulously use the word "students" to the point that I image it must be a school policy.

I do think DS has a valid point though - using "students" and "young adults" does convey a different meaning to calling the school-goers "children" even if that is factually correct.

Just was just wondering if other's had noticed that their child's secondary school used particular terminology? Is this a "thing"?

always 'students' and in written communication 'your son or daughter'

Genevieva I've been a secondary school teacher for over 20 years. I wouldn't call anyone 'guys', whatever their age (because I think it sounds cheesy). I would generally address a class as 'Year 7' or whatever. If I were talking to kids and referring to other kids, I'd probably say 'students'. And if talking casually to other teachers, I'd probably say 'kids'. None of this would alter if I were talking to or about 11 year-olds rather than 16 year-olds. I find that if I wish my students to behave in a mature and responsible fashion, it helps if I treat them like mature and sensible people where possible. Doesn't always work, of course...

'Students' generally, but they often use 'artists' 'geographers' 'historians' etc when appropriate which I like

My sons' secondaray school headteacher is a bit of a young fogey and calls the boys "chaps" and "gentlemen".

Odd good point, I think 'student' would be applicable there. But secondary school kids are pupils.

Should have added when I said "pupils or young people" that I'm in Scotland where the secondary schools have "attendees" ranging in age from 11-18. And from 16, they can sign their own permission slips no more being given them at the last minute and demanding that it be completed and signed

I'm going to something at the school tonight - I'll listen and check what the head and deputes say.

Students

Students

I have
One DC at primary - school calls them pupils
One DC at secondary - school calls them students

I had kind of assumed that this was standard and what they'd been told to do, but maybe not.

Students or pupils. Boys if it's not 6th form (single sex until 6th form then co-Ed)

mainly as "pupils" but more often in older yeats, "students". They never se boys or girls in secondary (my dc are at a 4-18 language specialisation state school0. Boys and Girls are normal in the primary school.

Students in formal situations, kids in the staffroom and if I need to address a group then 'boys/girls/this group over here/front row/back row' or if the whole class then 'Year 8!'

DS says some of his teachers use "Gents" and DD's HT likes to call them "Young ladies" , both single sex state schools! Letters tend to refer to "students".

Pupils or students

And 'your sons and daughters' when addressing parents.

'Boys and girls' doesn't seem to be used in co-ed but either boys or girls seems to stay in use as applicable in single sex.

When a previous school I worked at changed to become a "technology college" the Headteacher became a Principal, the deputies were called Vice Principals and we were told the kids were to be referred to as students and not pupils any longer.

Students, or more usually girls at dd's school
Boys, normally when ds was at school, but both went to single sex, which makes it easier.

At DS2's in correspondence etc. from housemasters/teachers they were nearly always referred to as" the boys". But my DS once told me that many teachers called them "gentlemen" in lessons. I found it quite amusing initially but after some thought perhaps some would say uncharacteristically I rather liked it.

In an email I would refer to them as students.

If addressing them collectively, probably 'girls', e.g. "Girls, you're blocking the whole corridor; please wait on this side."

Yes, it does depend in what context.
In e-mails they will say something like "Pupils in Yr 9 are bringing home their reports today"
In a newsletter it will often refer to what they are doing "Our History Ambassadors......" or "Some members of the School Council...." or "Our Yr8 Netballers...." etc.

We have Pupil Voice surveys... but then we have Student Council?!

I generally use pupils for KS3 and students for KS4 and 5.
I also worked in a school previously where it was learners