Pupils given detention for getting less than 90%
20
Honestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
That's completely Draconian and then they wonder why people are put off by horrible experiences with maths. 13/16 is a good mark, it shows good understanding with a little bit further to go to plug any gaps in knowledge, not that the student rushed the homework to get it done to an unacceptable standard
Reply 2
What is it with headteachers getting on TV then turning their schools into personal experiment sets?
Reply 3
As someone now in their 60s, I was subjected to punishment at primary school, for not doing well at maths. It had a deep and long lasting effect which I eventually overcame but I had hoped such outdated methods were a thing if the past. It seems not.
Reply 4
Original post
by shooksHonestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
I think the maximum should be that if you are taking the subject at a higher level, A-level/gcse etc. you should be made to redo your homework if you get below a certain mark. We do this at my school and it makes sure that you try hard to complete your homework and you also are able to pinpoint what you got wrong, then get help from the teacher while redoing it.
Detention is over the top unless you have consistently failed the homework multiple weeks in a row, not whatever this cruel system is.
Original post
by shooksHonestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
Thats not fair and not the way to go about things. Not everyone is naturally good at maths. Just the same as not everyone is naturally good at english/science/whatever other subject.
As long as the pupils are trying their best then thats all that matters. People who are nnaturally not as good at a subject should get help/support/different ways of lerning that might help etc, not a detention.
They should be giving detentions to people who mess about/cause trouble/play up etc at school, not people who try but just generally arent good at a subject.
Reply 6
Harlow, one of the biggest shitholes in Essex; it appeared on the Turdtowns youtube channel.
Reply 7
Original post
by shooksHonestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
There should be a policy for this - I bet homework is not mentioned.
Reply 8
Original post
by Muttley79There should be a policy for this - I bet homework is not mentioned.
Policy? Pah, we don't need a policy! I'm big, you're small, I'm right you're wrong and there's nothing you can do about it!
This is an absolutely terrible way to run a school. What about kids with dyscalculia, dyslexia, or any other learning difficulties - do they get detentions too if they achieve under 90%?
Some kids just flat out aren't academic. Some people are born to be artists, actors, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, farmers, fishermen, builders, and so on, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The world needs these types of people just as much as it needs dentists, solicitors, opticians, teachers, politicians, accountants, etc.
There's more than one type of person, and there's more than one path through life.
Some kids just flat out aren't academic. Some people are born to be artists, actors, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, farmers, fishermen, builders, and so on, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The world needs these types of people just as much as it needs dentists, solicitors, opticians, teachers, politicians, accountants, etc.
There's more than one type of person, and there's more than one path through life.
Original post
by shooksHonestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
Reply 11
Original post
by WalkablecitiesPolicy? Pah, we don't need a policy! I'm big, you're small, I'm right you're wrong and there's nothing you can do about it!
If there's no policy then write to Governors - this is just pure bullying and I say that as a teacher.
Reply 12
21
I tutored a girl who was at grade 3 level for GCSE maths and then moved to a school like this that gave her detentions if she did badly in tests. When she first told me about this I didn't believe her and assumed there must be more to it e.g. her attitude in lessons. But it turned out it was just due to her mark.
I've been in education for nearly 20 years and her improvement after joining this school was the most amazing that I've seen. She ended up getting a grade 9 followed by an A* at A Level. She said that there was no way this could have happened in a different school.
Some students react very well to this kind of schooling like the girl I tutored, but for others it could scar them for life. I don't think it's worth the risk.
I've been in education for nearly 20 years and her improvement after joining this school was the most amazing that I've seen. She ended up getting a grade 9 followed by an A* at A Level. She said that there was no way this could have happened in a different school.
Some students react very well to this kind of schooling like the girl I tutored, but for others it could scar them for life. I don't think it's worth the risk.
Reply 13
18
Original post
by shooksHonestly I find this story quite saddening. I don't see how motivation by fear has any place in a modern school environment. Has anyone here experienced this kind of thing at their school?
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
From BBC News
A school's policy of giving detentions to top set pupils who score below 90% on maths homework has been described as "overtly cruel" by a parent.
Joseph's son is in Year 7 at Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex, and scored 13 out of 16 for his maths homework, which is 81%.
"I thought [the detention] was unjustified: I've worked with children and I find trying to foster aptitude through negative reinforcement doesn't really work," he said.
Head teacher Stephen Drew – who appeared on the TV series Educating Essex – said the school offered homework support and "the work is set at a level that reflects exactly what they've been taught in the previous week".
Agreed. You do wonder who the pupils at this school are working for. Their own learning journey or the reputation of the school. Sadly more and more schools are going this way. The terror of not being outstanding means that teachers and therefore pupils are the workers whose job is to set and maintain the reputation by which the school lives or dies.
Reply 14
13
My school have something similar but 90% is a little less harsh (it 75% when I younger to 85% then 80% at GCSE) to ensure we attempted it thoroughly. I think 90% is a bit too high though.
Reply 15
Detention for homework?????
thats is crazy, i have never heard off anything like this, this definitely shouldn't be happening as it affect the children's mental health's and puts pressure on them at such a young age and not everyone is academically smart as others !
thats is crazy, i have never heard off anything like this, this definitely shouldn't be happening as it affect the children's mental health's and puts pressure on them at such a young age and not everyone is academically smart as others !
Reply 17
Original post
by Geo Lover 7crazy story
Reply 18
Original post
by Geo Lover 7Horrible coming from a bad school that had a similar situation my heart goes out to these students (my old school went on BBC😮*💨)
Reply 19
Original post
by TrickiaHorrible coming from a bad school that had a similar situation my heart goes out to these students (my old school went on BBC😮*💨)
our school went on a big news i think it may have been bbc for a good reason
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