Compulsory lanyards. Any other schools?

[Reba767]

So my dc school are brining in compulsory lanyards. It's a small secondary, around 600 children. They have their photo/info on the front and on the back, all their behaviour points.They spent a whole day going through this on the first day back.

I really don't see the need for this. Since the new headteacher has arrived its started to be like a boot camp.. Really strict rules and sanctions. I think they're preparing to join the really strict academy that are taking over the schools around here.

I've never heard of secondary school children wearing lanyards well it's the school around here that is.

My school has them. It's for safeguarding purposes.

Yes - but just in sixth form. It carries the pass that gets them through the front door instead of using the side entrance with the rest of the school. It also carries the pass that pays for lunch. I can’t get worked up about it.

What would be your reasons against it? I presume they wear uniform already?

Very normal around here, London - dd1s a-level college, dd2s secondary and other local secondaries too. Sanctions for not having it and charges for replacing lost ones. No behaviour points on the back though.

Why do you have a problem with it @Reba767 ?

I can’t see what the issue is?

A few schools around here have them. They are both schools that have multiple buildings with public space in between such that the kids need to be able to access buildings securely so the lanyards are key cards too. It doesn't seem like a big deal.

Safety and practicality.

Other young people will enter schools to settle arguments, cause trouble, etc, young looking adults.

The cards can be used for electronic entry and update the register so that you can tell who is onsite in the event of fire/emergency even if they are truanting or somewhere other than their timetabled class. They can be used to allow access to particular areas.

The cards can be used for cashless payments, meaning the canteen staff can be sure the payment is being made from the correct account and free school meals aren't so obvious, or as library cards.

Well, it's often argued that school uniform is out of date as no one wears suits etc to work. I reckon over half the people I know wear lanyards in work, so maybe this really could be justified as preparation for work!

Is there a particular reason why you don't like it, OP?

I don't understand why a lanyard bothers you?

The bare minimum they do is provide ID on entering the building, if someone isn't wearing one they will be challenged (eg an intruder). It's just safeguarding. At my local college nobody gets in without their ID/lanyard and it ensures everyone's safety.

Some cards can be used to open doors, pay for lunch and access student details in an emergency.

I don't understand the issue.

South east here and all local secondaries have them - the colour string is their year group so staff can easily spot if eg a year 7 is somewhere they shouldn't be/lost etc. As a pp said they can access certain buildings/areas, use for cashless payments in canteen - no cash anymore, library books etc. They have name and photo on here but not behaviour points. Also they do have to pay to replace if they lose them.

Other schools exist !

Blimey! It's a lanyard 🤷‍♀️ Why would this be an issue?

I genuinely wonder at the lengths some people go to just to find a problem!

Yep they have them in my DC’s secondary. And you will get called out for not having it on. It’s a huge comp and I think it’s mainly so teachers (who honestly and understandably don’t know any of the kids names) can quickly and easily dish out detentions. Otherwise the kids will give the teachers false names. It’s that kind of school.

I had just never heard of any secondaries having them before but now I see its 'normal'. The previous headteacher knew everyone's name..
The email said its a conduct card too so all conduct is recorded onto the lanyard.
I guess it's just change and you're all right it's only a lanyard. Thanks for replying.

It's no use the headteacher knowing everyone's name, you need the teachers who will be dealing with poor behaviour in corridors to know everybody's name.

With schools increasingly staffed by supply teachers, this will make things much easier for them.

Dc1's secondary and 6th form college both had these. The I'd badge holder was double sided so the bus pass could be kept with it too (one less thing to worry about for ADHD teen!). Dc2's don't.

Have they told you how the behaviour points thing would work? I can't visualise it.

OMG. Surely they lose/break/steal them all the time?!?!

Forget them? Yes.
Break them? Rarely.
Steal them? Why?

My DD's school brought these in after a safeguarding fail.

Yes it’s normal.

DC's school have them too although it's apparently not "cool" to wear them and most students keep them in blazer pockets and bring them out when challenged.

As per PPs it's used for access/library card/paying for lunch and identification.
It's no use the headteacher knowing everyone's names- does the cover teacher who's only started this week know everybody?

I also have to wear a lanyard at work. It never occurred to me that I should complain about this being draconian :)

Don't see any issue at all. Also, lots of workplaces ask staff to wear lanyards at work. Think of it as preparing them for the big wide world where you don't get to spit your dummy out over small things like this.

Paying for lunch? My DC school used thumbprints…

Name and ID, sure. Many workplaces have lanyards, get used to it.
Shaming kids by making them wear their behaviour points displayed, very bad idea. Some kids will go downhill from the anxiety and some will collect them like trophies.