Forum Topic

Schools getting too authoritarian

My daughter's school changed the timetable last week. She got given the wrong one. So yesterday she got detention for not having her maths homework with her, and this was after having to do PE in her pants for not having her PE kit. Surely the school should take the blame rather than her

Marie Hearts ● 2649d20 Comments

It's not a question of 'not wanting' to see anything - it's a question of checking your facts and using the processes already in place to resolve an issue. As the person concerned doesn't seem to want to do anything either way it's all pretty moot.

Vanessa Smith ● 2641d

Thank you Tania. People cannot see this or they dont want too.

Nicholas Beard ● 2641d

"Going in with all guns blazing before you've checked the facts, and had a chance to discuss things in a cool and rational manner, is hardly likely to get you very far."But isn't the above is exactly what the school seems to have done? She had the wrong timetable or didn't the school check that fact?  I'd also be fed up about it and would definitely ask the school to explain their policy on this. As for private schools - I've known a lot of people go and a lot of people love it and come out with excellent education.

Tania Bapuji ● 2641d

I think you need to get a sense of proportion on this - schools in this day and age are a partnership with parents, the local community and governors. Going in with all guns blazing before you've checked the facts, and had a chance to discuss things in a cool and rational manner, is hardly likely to get you very far.From what I've read about some 'private' schools most of us wouldn't send a dog there.

Vanessa Smith ● 2644d

Big mistake. Act as you mean to go on. Do you really think they treat pupils like this at private schools?

Nicholas Beard ● 2644d

Far too heavy handed to get solicitors involved.  Just ask the School itself firmly and politely for a full explanation.  Time to take it further if no satisfactory answer is provided.

Jennifer Selig ● 2645d

This has to be a joke..'authoritarian'? You obviously didn't go to the primary or secondary school that I did.

Keith Iddon ● 2646d

Anne is right - this is hardly the crime of the century - schools in general value good relationships with parents and I'm sure they would appreciate a constructive conversation.

Vanessa Smith ● 2646d

Assume she sent them back to the Chairman with a letter of intention to boycott the company for false advertising what was in the box.

Steve Taylor ● 2646d

No they were the same

Nicholas Beard ● 2646d

"She got a nice letter back and several boxes of jelly babies"Were the babies in the boxes finally smiling or still unhappy about being 'cannibalised' ?

Steve Taylor ● 2646d

It is not a minor matter to those concerned. When my daughter bought some jelly babies she noticed on the box the jelly babies where smiling but in the pack they were not. I took her to the library (pre internet) and showed how to find the companies chairmans name. I then helped to write to him and complain. She got a nice letter back and several boxes of jelly babies. The pupil concerned here could be damaged for life by someting like this.

Nicholas Beard ● 2646d

Nothing like trying to solve what is in the grand scheme of things a minor matter in a reasonable and peaceable way. Or were you being sarcastic?

Anne England ● 2646d

Very interesting indeed. Form a group of all those who were and write to the court of human rights. Go in strong.

Nicholas Beard ● 2646d

Would be interesting to know what percentage of pupils were given the wrong timetable.

Steve Taylor ● 2646d

Ring a solicitor and ask how much for them to write a letter to the headteacher. Probably less than you think. You will see a change of attitude.

Nicholas Beard ● 2646d

Not much good being so timid - you must ask the school to explain.  On the face of what you are saying, it's the school's fault not your daughter's and she should not be penalized - the school needs to be asked to explain.

Jennifer Selig ● 2646d

Well, what's the point in whingeing and not doing something? Schools have policies for everything these days, and these should be on the school website for parents to see. What does it say to a student if the school gets something wrong but then blames them? Personally I'd ring them up and just tell them what you find upsetting and get their version - If you still aren't satisfied then you can decide if you want to take it further.

Vanessa Smith ● 2649d

I haven't actually taken it up with the school. Do you think I should?  I was only having a whinge, rather than wanting to take it further!

Marie Hearts ● 2649d

Why don't you take this this up with a school governor if you can't get any sense or reasonable explanation from the school? What school does daft things like this?

Vanessa Smith ● 2649d