The school leadership has formally rescinded the new conduct policy and committed to a transparent consultation process regarding any future disciplinary changes. We have secured a seat at the table to review the proposed alternatives before they are implemented.
October 2, 2017
Final supporters
As parents and pupils of King Edward VII School (KES) we are concerned about the new conduct policy. We believe that:
1. There has been insufficient consultation with parents and pupils;
2. The use of isolation as a punishment for failing to have a planner on more than one occasion is disproportionate: isolation is a punishment which should be reserved for serious breaches of discipline;
3. The emphasis on outward displays of obedience – such as standing until told to sit by the teacher – represents a marked and sudden shift in the culture of the school, which has previously rested on mutual respect between staff and pupils, and not a hierarchical one.
We ask that:
There be full consultation with pupils, parents, and staff (for example through questionnaires made available on-line and through hard copies) about the policy before the beginning of the next academic year;
As part of this consultation, the school’s governing body share with parents (i) information about the disciplinary issues that they need to resolve (i.e. what the disciplinary issues are, and the scale of the problem), and (ii) evidence of the successful use of this type of policy in ameliorating these disciplinary issues.
Thank you for listening to our concerns. We have all (parents and children) chosen KES for its ethos and value the way that, hitherto, it has successfully worked collaboratively with parents. We are concerned that both the ethos and the successful co-operation with parents have been put at risk with the introduction of these measure. We wish to work with the school to amend this so the school can continue to provide an excellent, rounded education.
Updates
July 21, 2017
I have finalized the formal letter requesting a copy of the evidence regarding the success of the new conduct policy. This document will be delivered to the school governing body tomorrow morning to initiate a structured review process.
Reached 100 supporters
July 21, 2017
26 Comments
My main concern is that children with processing and working memory issues could be punished for having a learning disability. Also a lot of behavioral problems are due to a speech and language deficit. However, I feel appropriate behaviour needs to be upheld and not be disturbing the majority of children.
Although my children have left they will be attending 6th form. The use of isolation serves no purpose and should be used in situations when the pupil is disruptive not when they have no planner. It is disgraceful that pupils will miss a day of learning because they have no timetable
King Edwards has always been a relatively open and more relaxed environment compared to other schools and it had thrived as a result. These new policies targeted at stopping "defiance" and giving isolation for minor incidents are completely out of proportion and resemble a dictatorship or a prison.
As a parent with a child on the autism spectrum I am very concerned that the isolation punishment is disproportionate and unsuitable for some children.
Taught at KES for 16 years and was a parent governor at the School. Consultation is vital if the changes are to have the desired results. As many as possible need to identify with the new ethos.
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This school needs support and we would be glad to help.
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The school leadership has formally rescinded the new conduct policy and committed to a transparent consultation process regarding any future disciplinary changes. We have secured a seat at the table to review the proposed alternatives before they are implemented.
October 2, 2017
Final supporters
As parents and pupils of King Edward VII School (KES) we are concerned about the new conduct policy. We believe that:
1. There has been insufficient consultation with parents and pupils;
2. The use of isolation as a punishment for failing to have a planner on more than one occasion is disproportionate: isolation is a punishment which should be reserved for serious breaches of discipline;
3. The emphasis on outward displays of obedience – such as standing until told to sit by the teacher – represents a marked and sudden shift in the culture of the school, which has previously rested on mutual respect between staff and pupils, and not a hierarchical one.
We ask that:
There be full consultation with pupils, parents, and staff (for example through questionnaires made available on-line and through hard copies) about the policy before the beginning of the next academic year;
As part of this consultation, the school’s governing body share with parents (i) information about the disciplinary issues that they need to resolve (i.e. what the disciplinary issues are, and the scale of the problem), and (ii) evidence of the successful use of this type of policy in ameliorating these disciplinary issues.
Thank you for listening to our concerns. We have all (parents and children) chosen KES for its ethos and value the way that, hitherto, it has successfully worked collaboratively with parents. We are concerned that both the ethos and the successful co-operation with parents have been put at risk with the introduction of these measure. We wish to work with the school to amend this so the school can continue to provide an excellent, rounded education.
Updates
July 21, 2017
I have finalized the formal letter requesting a copy of the evidence regarding the success of the new conduct policy. This document will be delivered to the school governing body tomorrow morning to initiate a structured review process.
Reached 100 supporters
July 21, 2017
26 Comments
I'm still waiting for a response to my email sent two weeks ago asking these very same questions! If the school are unwilling to work in partnership with us as parents then they will no longer have my support.
My main concern is that children with processing and working memory issues could be punished for having a learning disability. Also a lot of behavioral problems are due to a speech and language deficit. However, I feel appropriate behaviour needs to be upheld and not be disturbing the majority of children.
Although my children have left they will be attending 6th form. The use of isolation serves no purpose and should be used in situations when the pupil is disruptive not when they have no planner. It is disgraceful that pupils will miss a day of learning because they have no timetable
King Edwards has always been a relatively open and more relaxed environment compared to other schools and it had thrived as a result. These new policies targeted at stopping "defiance" and giving isolation for minor incidents are completely out of proportion and resemble a dictatorship or a prison.
As a parent with a child on the autism spectrum I am very concerned that the isolation punishment is disproportionate and unsuitable for some children.
Taught at KES for 16 years and was a parent governor at the School. Consultation is vital if the changes are to have the desired results. As many as possible need to identify with the new ethos.
I love chicken
This school needs support and we would be glad to help.
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I'm still waiting for a response to my email sent two weeks ago asking these very same questions! If the school are unwilling to work in partnership with us as parents then they will no longer have my support.