Primary school putting kids "in the naughty corner" if they need the toilet

Olokia

Sparklyfairy wrote: »

Ok, this am I ask my dd who was made to clean up the wee & she told me she had to! I'm so cross it's unreal!

I know this isn't quite as embarrassing as it must have been for her but..

When I was in Y2 (so about the same age isn't it?), my mum had bought me a snow globe that morning. Just after coming in from lunch, I took it out to have a look at it and dropped it where it completely smashed on the floor. My teacher was completely unsympathetic and made me clear up the water and glass. I was really upset at the time because I had lost my new snow globe and also I had been taught never to touch broken glass. That memory still sticks with me now 19 years later. I hope it won't with your daughter.

boat_girl

Is this on the local central itv news tonight? Just seen the header and basically it sounds like the same story.

Edit, just seen the news and it's awful. A little girl about 5 who had cancer, although recovered it has delayed her development. Had an accident, was made to clean it herself and stand in the corner for 10 mins. The school have apologised for this one off incident but makes you wonder how one off it was.

Sparklyfairy

boat girl, I think that story is linked a few pages earlier on this thread...it broke my heart! I think it was posted last night & when my dd got up this morning, I asked her "Did the teacher clean up the wee?" She said "No. It was me." So very wrong! I'm glad that family went to the papers & news, they had absolutely NO HELP from the Governors & LEA...I now hope Ofsted, Social Services & Michael Gove realise that this stuff now seems pretty common place unfortunately & some things need changing..

meritaten

Nicki wrote: »

If a child breaks a rule, whether it is not using the toilet when they are supposed to because they are playing and would rather miss 5 minutes of Mathis than 5 minutes of playtime, or not bringing their homework in because they couldn't be othered to do it, then the normal sanction for the school or class should apply surely?

You chose the school, and the sanction in that school for misbehaviour is apparently sitting in a corner. That's not one I like myself, and not one they used in my kid's school. But if that's what they use for rule breaking in your school, and you've accepted it up to now for other infractions, I don't really understand why it's automatically wrong for this infraction if ok for others.

In my kids school, the sanction for minor rule infringements like this was usually to think about the behaviour and the effect it had on the class, and to discuss it with the teacher 1:1. I quite like that one, and its what we tend to do at home. Sometimes at school it might also be having your name written on the board with the names of other kids who also disobeyed the same rule that day. But all schools, and teachers have different sanctions, usually set out in the conduct code, which parents can ask to see at any point.

Nicki - please let me know which school YOU work at. I shall then make sure that my grandkids never go there. It sounds horrendous.
all this talk about 'sanctions' and 'infractions' for going to the loo..........are you sure you work at a school and not in Stalag 101?

daska

Sparklyfairy wrote: »

In case anyone else has this or a similar issue - I found this on the DirectGov website which shows the correct complaint procedure in schools..

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/YourChildsWelfareAtSchool/DG_4016106

I also read that I could lodge a complaint with the Social Services...but as for now, I've spoken to the school, warned them that should it happen to my children again a formal complaint will be lodged with the Govenors, failing that, LEA, Ofsted..I'm hoping the threat is enough, though...=(

But you've said that a Governor has already complained and the LEA know and it is still happening? So your threat really has no teeth. Personally I'd threaten to contact the NAHT and the press. Go for the embarassment factor.

little_evo

Okay about two years ago when my two were still in infant school I was doing a TA course and I used to help out in my daughter's class. I was shocked to say the least when this same policy was in effect at my children's school as I honestly believe that the parents do not have a clue about it either as my husband and I always considered ourselves as pretty hands on and very involved in school life. My own daughter had a few accidents over the years at the school but she never said anything to me about not being allowed to go and come to find out this was indeed the case. It's not a question a parent would ever dream of thinking to ask a school is it? Do you allow children to go to the loo when they need it or do they have to hold it for certain times only? I think it would surprise a lot of parents at the response your child's teacher just might give you.

Sparklyfairy

daska wrote: »

But you've said that a Governor has already complained and the LEA know and it is still happening? So your threat really has no teeth. Personally I'd threaten to contact the NAHT and the press. Go for the embarassment factor.

Yes, it KEEPS happening over & over at the school & it seems to get so far & nothing happens or changes. It'll go quiet, the school will be more lenient with the whole discipline for using the loo thing, then it kicks right back up again. I was under the impression from the link above from DirectGov that I had to follow a chain, 1st speak/complain to the teachers involved (I did), 2nd speak/complain to the head (I did), so the next line would be an official letter of complaint to the Govenors, then LEA before Ofsted will even look at it...that's the problem! So many levels! Crazy..

I actually spoke to the Govenor in charge of child welfare, she was well aware of this problem..(not mine specifically, but with other parents complaining about the head/school & this matter). She said the LEA will do nothing about this. I told her that was fine, but Social Services & the General Teaching Council might feel differently. I wanted her to know that this needs to stop, I am not happy this happened at all & if that means getting all agencies involved, then so be it.. I'd probably send the same complaint to all agencies (DirectGov also mentioned the Sec of States office - Michael Gove?) BUT - I really don't want to have to go down that route...I want this to be the end of it & I ruffled some feathers this week so I'm hoping they do take my threats seriously. x

Sparklyfairy

little_evo wrote: »

Okay about two years ago when my two were still in infant school I was doing a TA course and I used to help out in my daughter's class. I was shocked to say the least when this same policy was in effect at my children's school as I honestly believe that the parents do not have a clue about it either as my husband and I always considered ourselves as pretty hands on and very involved in school life. My own daughter had a few accidents over the years at the school but she never said anything to me about not being allowed to go and come to find out this was indeed the case. It's not a question a parent would ever dream of thinking to ask a school is it? Do you allow children to go to the loo when they need it or do they have to hold it for certain times only? I think it would surprise a lot of parents at the response your child's teacher just might give you.

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T Spot on. It IS shocking that it's so prevelent at schools! What is wrong with this system?! I hope your daughter isn't suffering from this anymore x..I hope our stories help others perhaps broach this subject with their own children's schools & if it happens there, maybe, collectively we can bring this to light (like the poor little girl that suffered from cancer that's in the paper today & made to clean up after herself) & maybe then change can happen xx

meritaten

It makes me wonder if change can happen in schools UNLESS its highlighted in the media and attention is focused? whatever happened to parent power?
seems to me like schools are mini versions of the vatican! they make the rules and the actual LAW of the country is disregarded! Heads Rule - Common sense goes out the window!
and there are some VERY strange Heads out there!

Eager_Elephant

I thought this was about my daughters school until you mentioned the head was female.

My daughter is 9 and her school have a new rule and you are not allowed to use the loo except at break times, my daughter has had a few leaks and I feel I should go to the school but she does not want me to cause a fuss. She did mention that one of her friends is allowed to go whenever as she has a medical condition.

She has also been mentioning a belly ache and I am not sure if this is the start of a water infection from having to hold it all in.

My daughter has always been a thirsty child and drinks loads and if she goes to the toilet at break time but then has a drink at break time I doubt she would be able to last until the next break.

I'm glad someone mentioned on the last page about the fact that children have small bladders so how can we expect them to last as long as an adult.

I have Parents Evening this coming week so I will bring it up then.