when i went to pick my daughter up from school earlier i was told by her friends that she was in the classroom crying, i went to see what was wrong and the teacher informed me that she would have to stay behind to finish her work.
when i said to her that she couldnt keep a 7 yr old after school she just said that my daughter had to finish her work and that she had the same amount of time as everyone else, the teacher was very rude and wouldnt let me get a word in.
i then told my daughter to put her pen down and that it was time to go the teacher said that she would have to take the work home with her (i said no to that coz she already has 2 peices of homework to do this week).
all throughout this the teacher was very rude and my daughter was crying her eyes out.
can teachers keep primary school children after school to finish work?
surely its not right, should i make a formal complaint?
2007-07-10 04:23:48 · 14 answers · asked by ? 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
its a uk school
2007-07-10 04:30:12 · update #1
i forgot to say, my daughter is usually really good with school work, all her reports have come back from the school saying that she has the intelligence of an 8-9 yr old, i sent a letter in with her this morning to explain that she had been feeling a little poorly and to call me if there was any problems,
also the teacher didnt say that she was being naughty or anything
2007-07-10 08:56:43 · update #2
thanks for all your answers, i have made an appointment to see the headteacher tommorrow and will take it to the local council and newspapers if they dont do anything about it
2007-07-10 23:16:17 · update #3
I have just read your question and in reply I am disgusted that the teacher would even think of saying that to a mother. Why haven't you been to see the head of school as that would have been the first place i would have gone. Unless the parent has given other reasons to the school for keeping the child back then I wouldn't have thought that the teacher has the right to keep any child back. This matter needs taking to the school head or further if you don't get the answers that you are asking for.
2007-07-10 10:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by mon_ster_one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK they can, but I know that in secondary schools they have to give the parents 24hrs notice if they are planning on keeping the child behind in school, so at primary school level they should definately give the same amount of notice if not more.
The teacher's attitude was wholly unacceptable and if I were you I would be arranging to meet with the head and discuss this. I can understand that if they child didn't finish the work then they should have, and I do think they should have given it as extra homework with a letter to you explaining why they were getting this extra work to do. But keeping them in without informing you and the general attitude is totally wrong.
However, I think you also need to ask why everyone else finished the work and your daughter did not - was she just writing slower than other children or did she not understand it, in which case the teacher should have been supporting her and explaining it, not acting in the way she did.
Make a complaint to the school asking for a meeting between yourself, the head and the teacher involved to go over the school policy on keeping children behind, your child's progress and any issues, and the teacher's attitude.
2007-07-10 06:56:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most schools have a policy but I would say generally the answer is no they cannot. That said if the teacher had cajoled her to finish the work and had no joy she probably said you will have to complete it when your friends have gone home. Once said she would have to carry it out. This is where it goes pear shaped, she was rude to you and there is no excuse for this. Also it would have been better if she had asked the child to complete the work the next day instead of home time--it is scary to be left in a class room when every other child has gone. I would calmly approach the teacher and ask her to explain more clearly why she held your child back. Make sure the child is not present. You can then tell her it is not to happen again and you will make a formal complaint about her attitude and keeping back your child if it does.
2007-07-10 05:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have had the teacher call the principal or whomever is in charge immediately. That doesn't seem like something she can do. However, your daughter could have finished the work at home. If this is a continuing problem perhaps your daughter might need some help, a tutor, or even testing to rule out any type of a learning diability - although that's a stretch on my part if it was just a one-time thing. No one wants a rude, witchy teacher, and unless your daughter was really misbehaving (in which case the teacher should have called you,etc...), there was no need for her to be mean. You better believe I'd be complaining!
2007-07-10 04:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by applebetty34 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a teacher assistant and at our school this is not allowed. If work is not finished they can take it home or finish it the next day. And furthermore a 7 yr old should not have that much work to do that she could not have finished unless the teacher just did not give enough time. I would make a formal complaint, to me this is harassment. Good Luck
2007-07-10 05:10:15 · answer #5 · answered by dales girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every school institution is going to be different. Talk to the head master/principal at her school and see what their policy is on keeping children after class.
Then I would also inform him about how rudely his staff (your daughters' teacher) treated you when you were just there to pick up your child. I'd also include that not all children can finish the same amount of work in the same amount of given time, so if your child needs a little more time to get things done that it should be done during school hours, not after wards when you have places to go and cannot leave your child or wait around for his staff to "be done" with her.
2007-07-10 04:34:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The teacher was absolutely wrong in keeping your daughter behind - its not their right to do that and they should have asked your permission. You should definitely complain to the school board about the teacher's conduct and rude attitude.
However, in regards to the work, I think you should try to encourage your daughter in finishing all her work. If she doesn't, not only does it put her at a disadvantage with the rest of her class, but it also gives her the wrong impression that if she doesn't finish something, then she can just leave it and get away with it, as mum will sort it. It does nothing in developing her skills in managing responsibility and leading her to develop as a more talented individual.
My mum never let us get away with not finishing our work, even from the ages of 5. I come from a family of doctors, engineers and lawyers.
2007-07-10 04:46:13 · answer #7 · answered by beanie 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No not at all, I would go and see the head teacher, that is disgusting behavior from her. 7 year olds should not have homework they're only young and no way should they be held after school. Teacher sounds like a right witch. I bet she's single!!!
2007-07-10 04:45:01 · answer #8 · answered by S 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not in the USA. Unless you have signed an agreement with the teacher allowing it, or you have your child in a private/parochial school. If the situation is as you stated, the teacher was wrong and you should talk to her about it first. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact the principal.
2007-07-10 04:28:19 · answer #9 · answered by Kahless 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like a form of bullying to me.I don't know if it is illegal in the UK but I very much doubt it.In fact now I come to think of it I don't even think older children can be kept in without prior notification to parents.
2007-07-10 04:47:37 · answer #10 · answered by chezliz 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋