Can school force my child to stay in during lunchtime

ben500

On another thread you also advocate getting children to lie to their teachers in order to take time off for cheap hollidays, you don't instill a lot of respect for the school in your children do you? It's not surprising your child had this confrontation, as I said earlier you should have resolved this issue with the school yourself not put your child in such a confrontational position with those that need his respect and obedience in order to care for him during his time with them. You are also doing his profile no favours in being so openly confrontational towards the school with your child.

juliescot

My DS school keeps the kids in but packed lunches are allowed.

If this bit is true ....."his head of year who was patrolling the school perimiter grabbed him telling him if he tried to leave he would impall him on the school fence for doing so, and the school has taken legal advice and are well within thier rights to keep all children in." .......I would report that teacher for verbal and physical assault.
If it is a factual statement of course.

minxtress

I certainly dont advocate lying, I do advocate my children taking holidays during term time as its the only time I can afford it, something which I wouldnt do if my childdren were struggling educationally.
This isnt the case as my eldest son took 3 GCSE's a year early getting A* in each of them and is not aggressive or argumentative in anyway. He is chairman of youth parliment making decisions for the youth of our borough and has been to the houses of parliment many times.He is however very outspoken and had he been challenged by a teacher without having a letter from me would of stood his ground given his own objections. I tried to avoid this with the letter.
So BEN500 digging dirt isnt really helping the situation.
I stand by what I think is right, and will continue to do so.

RAS

I doubt if there is anything you can do about kids having to stay on the premises, but failure to allow packed lunches strikes me as unacceptable at a time when many families are struggliing.

minxtress

Im going to check my rights regarding packed lunches as if he has to stay that will be a far better option

sneezyboots

The only advice i can find if this http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_4016089 but it doesn't say much, but then again there is a part that says find out more about school meals in your area which you might want to look at.

As far as I am aware (I work in education), a school can rightfully force children to remain on site throughout the entire day and nothing you say or write in a note for your son will overcome that.

With regards to enforcing school meals, I am fairly sure that that is not allowed for various reasons (cost being the obvious one). However schools are allowed to dictate that certain items are not included in packed lunches such as crisps and fizzy drinks and if children are caught with these they may be removed and handed back to the parents. There are a lot of articles and views on the lunchbox police!

With regards to your 'I'm his parent' comments. When he is under the care of the school, the school and his teachers are just as much 'his parents' in the eyes of the law as you are. http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/in-loco-parentis.htm

I'm not trying to be biased towards yourself or the school, just give you the advice you requested.

juliescot

How long ago were you informed of this new policy? Does the PTA have a view?

minxtress

thanks sneezyboots il have a good read after ive made dinner. also juliescot we got the letter the friday they broke up for half term with it taking effect today.

cte1111

I did think that people had a right to take their children home to have lunch, but having googled it, can't find anything legally to back this up. In fact this thread came up 4th in my search!

What would the school do if you didn't pay for the school meals? I only ask because at my DD school, they say that if you are behind with paying for meals, then they will expect you to pick them up for lunch and they will not feed them. Just wondered if this was some way round it?

The best thing to do is talk to the chair of governors and explain the situation and the problems that it is causing your son. Hopefully they would be able to take a common sense view. You should be able to get a list of governors from the school or the local authority.

rach29

I would get in contact with the LEA tomorrow & discuss this with them. I would also call the school and make an appointment to discuss this with the Head Teacher.

How & when did you find out about these new rules?