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Secondary education

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Original poster

Forced enrichment after school

31 replies

Bagpuss2022 · 21/09/2022 11:18

My DDs school is having compulsory enrichment for y 7 and y8 students after the school day. it’s a new thing she didn’t have to do this in y7 she’s y8.
I actually think this could be a good thing it gives the children a range of opportunities but it’s the compulsory that’s annoyed me.
My DD does a out of school sport after school the one day this new project is being ran.
Shes at the highest level now so slots are extremely limited she’s been in this slot for almost 5 years.
shes not a rule breaker but there’s no way she can physically do both it takes 45 minutes to get there and we leave straight from school now she’s got herself in a right state upset about it.

what’s really annoyed me the most is didn't communicate this at the end of the summer term just told us 2 weeks ago.
Due to start next week this week is picking what you want to do.

I have contacted her form tutor she sent a basic email back saying it’s unfortunate but it’s the new rules.

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 21/09/2022 11:20

If there is no other day that she can do her after school sport then I would just send them an email excusing her. Don't ask permission, just telll them that she has other commitments.

sheepdogdelight · 21/09/2022 11:27

Is it every week or just a one off? if it's a one off, then can she miss her sport for once? IF she really can't then I'd do as per PP.

If it's every week, it seems extremely odd that the school has not communicated this until now. There will, for example, be other students with regular commitments, including ones that (e..g) look after younger siblings after school. So you wont' be the only one with issues with it.

Original poster
Bagpuss2022 · 21/09/2022 11:32

It’s Every week and only on one particular day,
She also does the only other slot on a Sunday.

They have arranged the school buses to come later, we were definitely only notified the second day they went back so two weeks ago tomorrow.

If I could change her slot I would but the only option would be not to do it and that’s not fair something she has committed to for years

OP posts:
Porcupineintherough · 21/09/2022 11:39

I think you just say no and keep saying no tbh

Megifer · 21/09/2022 12:15

Yep just keep saying no, they can't do anything about it!

TeeBee · 21/09/2022 12:24

Its school, not prison. Keeping saying she's not doing it. You will most likely have to arrange transport though.

MuddlerInLaw · 21/09/2022 12:30

Do yr 7 have the activity on the same day? If it’s a different day, you could ask if she could join them?

Misandre · 21/09/2022 12:48

Escalate to head of year and beyond if need be. Emphasise the high level of the sport she is doing.

Hopefully this is just a "computer says no" thing and you can get it overturned. It would be completely against the spirit of what they are trying to achieve to prevent her doing the thing. You and school are united in agreeing extra-curriculars are important etc etc.

eurochick · 21/09/2022 14:54

Wtf is "forced enrichment"?

Original poster
Bagpuss2022 · 21/09/2022 15:03

eurochick · 21/09/2022 14:54

Wtf is "forced enrichment"?

They get to choose something so sport,drama debate club etc and do it for a hour extra a week after school and it’s compulsory

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 21/09/2022 15:06

Have they officially changed the time of the end of the day?
Because otherwise I can't see how they can inforce it.
If the school day has always been 8.50 - 3.15 (or whatever) surely they can't just suddenly say that one day is 8.50 - 4.15?

LittleOwl153 · 21/09/2022 15:15

What are your daughters school day timings? I ask because this was one option discussed as to how to meet the governments required 32.5minimum school week which started this term. Ours went from 8.45-3pm to 8.45-3.15pm which has caused all sorts of issues. Have they added their extra time in 1 afternoon?

That said if your daughter is at decent level in sport I would make an appointment to see the principle and discuss there. I would not expect her to give up her sport at 2 weeks notice. You night need to consider changing things around / moving schools perhaps long term though I guess although does it not apply in yr9?

Original poster
Bagpuss2022 · 21/09/2022 15:16

Needmorelego · 21/09/2022 15:06

Have they officially changed the time of the end of the day?
Because otherwise I can't see how they can inforce it.
If the school day has always been 8.50 - 3.15 (or whatever) surely they can't just suddenly say that one day is 8.50 - 4.15?

They have already changed the start of the day for everyone from 8.45 to 8.30 and y7 and y8 have to stay behind on a set day the same day and yes it’s compulsory.
great opportunities such as first aid,sport drama etc but it’s the compulsory part that affects my DDs long standing out of school activity

OP posts:
Queuesarasarah · 21/09/2022 15:18

If it’s effectively a change to the length of day they can’t just give 2 weeks notice. Inform them she won’t be attending due to a prior commitment.

viques · 21/09/2022 15:23

point out to them that she is participating in this sport to a high level, which is in itself an enriching activity, and mention that ,conditional on the schools co operation in this small matter, you are happy for her success in the sport to be mentioned in school newsletters and to new parents enquiring about sport ( even though your dds success has sfa to do with the school)……..

ElephantsintheCupboard · 21/09/2022 15:29

I don't think the level she's at in her sport matters. But I can't see how they can make an after school activitiy compulsory!

Comefromaway · 21/09/2022 15:34

That would be a deal breaker for me. Dd danced at a high level (she went on to train professionally) and ds did music and theatre (he is just gone to conservatoire).

No way would a school enforced activity have got in the way of this.

Original poster
Bagpuss2022 · 21/09/2022 15:50

They are certainly saying it’s compulsory not sure where they stand with enforcing it I would post the whole note but too outing with names etc

Forced enrichment after school
OP posts:
Misandre · 21/09/2022 15:51

The level strengthens her case significantly.

A high level at sport is a one of the reasons schools still have the freedom to authorise absence. There are kids at state schools who compete at international level in eg swimming and gymnastics, and that doesn't all take place at the weekend.

ChilliBandit · 21/09/2022 15:55

I would point out that your daughter already fulfils this enrichment activity criteria outside of the school and will not be attending. I would hope that someone in the school had some common sense to see that. I would just collect her as you always do, they can’t hold your child prisoner.

LadyLapsang · 21/09/2022 23:41

It’s not that unusual to have an expectation pupils attend enrichment sessions, however, they don’t sound very flexible. If you have already fully explained in writing about your DD’s long standing commitment and level in the sport to no avail, I would escalate to the head of year and if needed to the head / governing body. I would, however, show willing by stating she would be willing to join another year group on another afternoon for enrichment, after all first aid (or whatever session she chooses) with Yr 7 or Yr 9 is still first aid.

MintJulia · 22/09/2022 00:14

I'm not sure they can make it obligatory. You could arrange for your dd to leave by taxi and go to her existing out of school session, with your written permission. Would they expel her?

My DS is supposed to do one session a week 'enrichment' which can be at lunchtime or after school. He loathes organised sport although he swims and practices martial arts at the weekend. Every school day he quietly takes himself off at lunchtime and reads. He attends prep for the hour after school.

His form tutor rang me to complain that he was reading....and doing his homework...! 😁😁😁 It was a very short conversation.

SafelySoftly · 22/09/2022 07:03

Is this a pr

SafelySoftly · 22/09/2022 07:03

Is this a private school?

NotQuiteHere · 22/09/2022 14:08

The school cannot force your daughter to stay in school outside of school hours. If this is a state school and they did change the school hours, they should have offered curriculum subjects during these hours, not extra-curriculum activities.

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