Can school force my child to stay in during lunchtime

Alcmene

I live next to a high school. Since the school stopped allowing children out at lunchtime (with or without a pass) things have been much better. Kids who are bored at lunchtime get up to no good.

minxtress

rach29 wrote: »

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?

I have left a message asking for an appointment with the head, il ring LEA tomorrow and we found out in a letter on the friday they broke up for half term with it taking place today when they went back.

rach29

minxtress wrote: »

. also juliescot we got the letter the friday they broke up for half term with it taking effect today.

Sorry you answered this whilst I was typing my previous message

It does seem a bit short sighted of the school to have done this with so little notice. Does the letter explain why this proposal has been brought in? Was it agreed & discussed with the Govenors?

LotusFlower_3

I would have impaled the teacher who threatened to do that to my child!

Pepzofio

What is their reasoning for the packed lunch ban? I've heard of some schools banning sweets and fizzy drinks etc on healthy eating grounds, I'm just wondering if the school decided to take a somewhat sledgehammer-nut approach rather than having to monitor what was in packed lunches...

I agree it would have been better to challenge this before it was introduced, but when exactly was it announced? Did letters go out to parents explaining to new policy and the reasons behind it or did the message just filter down through the kids? I understand you've since confirmed it with the school but it would be interesting to know how professionally they've approached this.

You say this was the first week of it being in force, so did new HM start in Sept? It would be interesting to know if the school governors are aware of this policy - I'm sure it can't be legal to ban all packed lunches - sounds like an illegal monopoly to me.

I can't see how they could enforce it anyway - they aren't allowed to seach pupil bags without consent - even the police can only do this on suspicion of a crime (Coming to school equiped to eat a sandwich? Possession of an illegal Fruit Shoot?) And I think they'd be on dodgy ground (politically if nothing else) if they started confiscating a child's packed lunch, leaving them without anything to eat all day.

Has anyone contacted the local press about it? A dose of public embarrassment might change the school policy...

Newly_retired

Another angle on your lad going to his ( elderly? ) gran's is that he helps to keep an eye on her on a daily basis - could be another point to put to the Head perhaps? ( If it is true.)
At 16, it is the sort of responsibility he could well take on if required.

minxtress

The letter was very short and to the point stating that all children are now required to use the new school catering facilities on a lunchtime and that they have all been finger printed for the new cashless system they have implemented.
It doesnt mention governors which I will look into. I am trying to get as much information as possible in my defence for when I do get an audience with the Head.
This is the same head who since september when she started has decided to mix year groups up for registration. So now in every class there is a mix of all year groups.
She seems to have a lot of ideas !

2cats1kid

As an aside, DD has never been allowed to take packed lunches - either at primary or senior school. So a packed lunch ban is certainly not unusual (at least at our schools).

thorsoak

If you look at this link here :- http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1007/1007640_mum_fights_lunch_ban.html

It would appear that it is not lawful for the school to insist upon every pupil purchasing a school meal.

The school has made the rules about no pupils going off premises during lunchtime, you were notified of this change and the time to have queried this would have been when you were notified of this new rule. By not having done so, it is taken that you have accepted it - and in my opinion, to "give your son permission" to go off premises is just not acceptable behaviour - and if you, as the parent encourages the breaking of this rule, the school could quite justifiably, ask you to remove your children from the school.

minxtress

2cats1kid wrote: »

As an aside, DD has never been allowed to take packed lunches - either at primary or senior school. So a packed lunch ban is certainly not unusual (at least at our schools).

It isnt unusual, my youngest two arent allowed packed lunches either. It all adds up!
Id love to know how they are going to cater for in excess of 1000 pupils between 12 and 12.50pm?? These are the questions I will be asking the head.
Also my son has told me that he has spoken to some friends today who did stay in school and the canteen isnt yet finished so they have adapted 3 classrooms and the food tech classroom in the short term!!!