EXCLUSIVE:’My child was given a detention for being a minute late’-mother’s anger at draconian school rules that’s run like a prison.
A Hornchurch mother has hit out at a secondary school that she feels is being run like ‘a prison.’
The mum who chose not to be named, has a child in Year 11 and is fed up with the way they are treated.
She told the Havering Daily: “My child leaves home everyday at 7:40am and if they cut a bus out, as they frequently do, then they get to school late and are calling me, panicking that they are going to be late and living with non stop anxiety.”
The mum feels that Hornchurch High School, under the new leadership has really become like a prison.
“You don’t see the Headteacher. As a parent we can’t talk to her either. If you call the school, you cannot even speak with the receptionists. The school really is being run like a prison.
“Every morning the pupils have to show all their stationery equipment to their form tutor, and if they have one piece missing or it is not the right type of stationery, then they get a detention. My child forgot a pencil sharpener and was given an hour’s detention. If you do not attend this detention, then the following day you are put in isolation.
“This is all creating a really negative attitude for pupils. I’m all for correct discipline and know how challenging it is to be a teacher, but giving a child an hour’s detention for being a minute late to school is just madness.”
The Hornchurch mum is also unhappy with the way pupils were made to wear full school uniform last summer despite the high temperatures, whilst staff walked around in sandals and PE shorts.
“It seems that there is a complete lack of respect for all pupils at the school and the staff are very unapproachable. Children are going to school and studying in very anxious conditions which is all wrong, especially for Year 11 pupils who face a tough year of exams.
“Last summer, the pupils were told that they had to wear full school uniform, even though we saw temperatures of over 30c some days. Yet, the teachers walked about in sandals and PE shorts which really seems hypocritical.
“One parent complained about the way the school is now being run and was told that this is how the school works and if they were unhappy, they should find another school.”
The mum is concerned that having a child in Year 11 facing all this pressure, is adding more stress and anxiety to them during a difficult year.
“This is their GCSE year, they do not need the extra anxiety of being given a detention for being a minute late.
“Some kind of compromise needs to be found.”
The Havering Daily contacted Hornchurch High School for a comment, but so far none has been offered.
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I totally agree, and more. About time someone spoke up. Unbelievable.
Developers are always looking for places to build new homes, looks like they’ve found a new site…
Late is late. Sounds like someone’s feeling guilty. Turn up late to my work (yes 1min) and you’ll be sent home without pay. Come without your tools and you cant do your job! Isn’t this school prepping kids for the world of work? Nothing wrong with high standards. Look to yourselves first.
*Turn up late to my work (yes 1min) and you’ll be sent home without pay.*
So, basically you’re 150 years old and working in a Victorian factory. One example….Just one
stfu
stfu bro acting like we get payed, if i was getting payed 150 a day im sure i would be on time
‘it is not the right type of stationary’ whoever wrote this would have done well to get to school on time themselves, they may have learned the difference between stationery and stationary… perhaps there was irony intended…
Von, it’s a typo as we now use computers with spell checks!
Typo short for – typographical error .
My girls say the school is loads better now and they really are doing so much better. This person does not share my children’s experience at all. They do know all these rules though and they like following them, they say it helps and they feel safe and treated fairly, I think they probably like the naughty ones being dealt with at last. Maybe you should find a school that lets pupils be late and have wrong pens if that is more important to you than good exam grades.
no its not beg u shush
Why does this school feel the need to focus on the negatives & impose harsh sanctions for petty issues.
I would rather send my child to a school with a fair & positive attitude towards learning not a correction centre!
Why was the child punished for public transport delays?.
Brian, working environments have changed nowadays there is flexitime, WFH & nap rooms!
Most of these comments seem to be written by condescending robots who automatically assume that every schoolchild is one of the naughty ones for accidentally missing a piece of stationery from their pencil case. Or for no fault of their own is a minute late for school because the ‘naughty’ bus driver has mislaid his car keys and he is unusually late for work. Maybe the school should provide spare stationery so the children can get on with their education.