The Daily Mail reports:
A primary school has been accused of 'going back to Victorian times' by insisting children walk around the grounds with their hands behind their backs.
Teachers at Market Harborough Church of England Academy say the antiquated rule is for the 'safety' of pupils and to encourage a 'calm' atmosphere.
The ruling is also in force when youngsters finish their lunchtime break and return to classrooms.
Angry parents have dubbed the new rule 'draconian' and blasted the school in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, for 'going back to Victorian times'.I blogged about this bizarre idea when it was imposed upon a London primary school. Now it has arrived here.
The Mail quotes the Harborough school's head:
'As part of our commitment to providing a safe and orderly environment, we have recently introduced the practice of children gently placing their hands behind their backs as they move round school in large groups, or when they enter the building at lunchtimes.I love the 'gently' - as though children placing their hands behind their backs with insufficient care might be a risk.
The answer is clear. The people of Market Harborough must point at the people responsible for this decision and roar with laughter whenever they appear in public.
13 comments:
if they fall or trip because they are denied the use of their arms to balance with - what then?
Cannot agree more - children should not be walking with their hands behind their back nor should adults - health and safety at the school should be given a black mark. Wellbeing should be given a black mark. Parents need to give the headteacher absolute hell for this.
I notice that it is the Right Wing mail that has the comment. Are they in agreement with this Victorian idea. Is this the Future with a one party state?
As a parent of a child who attends this school I cant help but feel that this has been blown out of all proportion. Several other primary schools in the town and I'm sure throughout the country have adopted similar routines but they haven't featured in the press. The children have simply been reminded that walking in school should be in a calm and sensible manner. The school had already informed parents, prior to this appearing all of the media, that following a few concerns being raised, the children were now being encouraged to walk with their hands in front of them. I have always found the school to be very welcoming, inclusive and supportive of parents. It is a shame that a few adults don't seem to be able to show the same support and respect back.
I agree with the parent who says it's been blown out of proportion. It's the Dail Mail, ignoring the fact the school changed it's mind about the policy and was trying to get pupils to walk in a more ordered manner.
Parents going direct ot the media and not the school isn't helpful, plus they had OfSTED in at the same time..............
I doubt whether Ofsted inspectors would be impressed by such measures.
I'd like children to be jubilant at school -- in the playground and classroom. If it means a bit of calming (slow entry queues) between the two, that's fine. "Hands behind the back" is a foolish control mechanism.
Another parent of children at the school here. It's all nonsense. The school, prior to all this blowing up, had already agreed the children could have their hands in front of them instead of behind so it is safer, and it's only when coming in from lunch time or when going to or from assembly that then children are expected to do it. It works! The children say it's much nicer walking round calmly and not being pushed or shoved.
Absolutely crazy that a bit of discipline, exactly the same as is used at other local schools, has received this much negative publicity.
As a parent at this school, I will just say this, if the parents of all children brought them up to be respectful of others and have manners there would be no need for any system to be put in place regarding behaviour!
There are a few parents who think they speak for all or they have some god given right to criticise others who dont have the same opinion. Get a life!!!! Asking kids to put their hands behind their back is maniacal and as crazy as the parents.
not keen on this. and would seem some of the mums r a bit loopy too the children ❤️ it do they have u asked them all?
I have been a member of the PTA and have followed this story closely. Some over enthusiastic members think this matter and the school’s governance is about THEM, their ego and their views. They may pretend they have the school’s best interest at heart but they don’t. You hear all these platitudes about “we’re a diverse/welcoming school” etc but it’s nonsense. The PFA are the most narrow minded people around. Having read some of the other message board as well as this one, there are a couple of names that keep cropping up, Little Hitlers.
Maybe this is a clever strategy to reduce class sizes? I would never send my children to a school that treated its pupils this way.
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