Telford school behaviour policy storm - your say
After it was revealed that parents have launched an online campaign over a no-nonsense behaviour policy at a Telford school, Shropshire Star readers have been having their say.
Stacey Jordan, headteacher of Telford Priory School, has said she is determined that both children and parents should "rise to the challenge" of the new behaviour system.
But an Ofsted webpage designed to give parent feedback on the school has been inundated with negative feedback and a Facebook group called Unofficial Telford Priory School - TPS Complaints, has almost 700 members.
Members of the group say children are given hour-long detentions for being minutes late for class, even if it is because another teacher has kept them in a lesson.
Today Shropshire Star reader Jafa said: "Feel like I am missing something here. Why are parents 'revolting'? Its call discipline and should be incorporated in all schools."
While Robmit said: "I feel sorry for the children of today due to the majority of parents' indifference to nice behaviour. It would be a good idea also if schools taught children to respect their environment and not just drop litter wherever they might be when finished. That should, of course, be done by their parents many of whom seem to be guilty of doing just the same. Good luck to the school."
Globetrotter1934 added: "Typical response from these local parents,they can never accept that their spoiled little darlings should be subject to any discipline or sanctions for breaching school rules. They are the sort that would sign any Facebook campaign regardless of its merits. Stacy Jordan should politely but firmly tell the "revolting" parents that the School will NOT change its entirely reasonable behaviour policy and it is up to the parents of the punished pupils to make sure that they adhere to the rules in future."
Parent Emily W wrote: "I have a child in year 11. Personally I have no problem with the schools disciplinary policy itself. My child has been subjected to countless C4's (1 hour detentions) for being late by a minute (which despite other comments above when you're relying on public transport isn't ALWAYS the child's fault), not being in proper uniform, not completing homework etc...I'd say about 50% of his are fair. The issue I have is with the implementation of the policy, not the policy itself. There appears to be little (if any) discretion within it. If you remove the ability or desire to apply common sense to things (schooling) then you leave yourself open to criticism. The the overall organisation within the school is dire:
"Pupils are being reported absent when in school (my child states it's because if you're late to school you don't want a C4 for also being late to lesson so you go direct to the lesson and register after) surely they could take this in to account and solve a lot of the complaints on the online group?
"They STILL (after six months) haven't been able to decide on allocations of lockers, yes they need to dream a rationale for giving them to some individuals because they don't have enough lockers for all the kids (they only have about 1 locker for every 6 kids), so uniform and equipment is easily 'forgotten' or lost resulting in...yep more detentions...
"There isn't even enough seating at lunch for the kids to sit and eat, most are forced to sit on the steps of the hall (which looks awful to visitors and can't be pleasant for the kids). To be frank the whole place sounds like it was poorly thought out in its conception, it appears in disarray...chaos. But hey be positive, apparently there is order in disORDER!?!?"
Liberal Backslider added: "Reading through the comments there doesn't seem to be a great deal of understanding of what is actually going on in the school. There is obviously more to this than meets the eye - it's not a 'simple' discipline problem from the look of it, reading the article.
"Disciple in school is essential, of course, but it is a two way Street. The only way you develop a successful school is through MUTUAL respect between students, teachers and parents.
"Constant punitive discipline is a recipe for trouble. A school is not a prison, and kids need boundaries which are firm, but not to the point where it becomes an 'us vs them' structure.
"This is where good teaching, discipline and parental involvement meet. All these things need to be in place for a school to succeed."
