What can I do about....

[Ice-Maiden]

My son came home from school today & says he's got a detention next Monday for failing to produce some English homework. This was given out just prior to the half-term break, but we were away on holiday. Nothing was said until today, and he has to write an essay about a book which the class read in his absence. I can't find any details of the story on the internet, and don't feel that he's been given enough time to read the book and do this work before Monday morning. Has this teacher the right to demand the detention? My son tried explaining the situation to her, but she was very off-hand with him, and says either the detention goes ahead - or he produces the work!

[curiosity]

How old is your son? how big is the story/book? Some teachers are in the wrong, sometimes it's the kids, both of the above questions will guide my answer, but usually I'd step in for the kid.

[Ice-Maiden]

He's 9. The book's by an author called Anne Coburn? Never heard of her I'm afraid, so can't tell you how long/big the book is, but quite substantial by the sound of things. Thank you for replying.

[Louisa 69]

I would speak to the school Ice, it really doesn't sound as if he has been given enough time to read the book, absorb it then write an essay about it, not unless it's a very short story. What's the name of the book ?

[curiosity]

Sorry Ice-maiden I replied and then couldn't get on the internet for ages. Well at 9 year old he does not need a detention, I personally would write a note explaining the situation, or go and see the teacher. My kids never got detention in primary school, this sounds totally unreasonable.

[Whickerman]

this may start the ball rolling for him
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/ann-coburn /

Click a title for the synopsis

[lindapinda]

Only got on here after the 1.00 shutdown Ice-Maiden..there shouldn't be detention at 9 years of age...ridiculous!! You should be able to discuss your son's education with his teacher face to face.

[Trotbot]

The off hand manner may be because teachers get very frustrated when people take kids on holiday during school time. If you are going to talk to the teacher, start by explaining why that happened and they may be more reasonable.

[China Doll]

Next time don't take him away prior to half term break or before getting the work set before half term break.

Yes I think the teacher hsa the right. I can see why she's off hand with him.

Personally I'd have spoken to you but that's me. Next time make sure your son has the homework before you take him away.

[Ice-Maiden]

Thank you everyone - and to Whickerman. I've only just got back on here, so haven't got time to answer individually now, but Trotbot - the reasons for holidaying in term time were given when we submitted the holiday request form, and because my husband let our staff have their holidays first, this was the only available time that we could go, as a family unit. The request was granted immediately, & no one notified my son or us about work that'd be done whilst we were away. The detention is to be done during break times, but I think this is out of order considering the short time in which we have to locate the book, read it & write about it - on top of 3 further subjects, all to be handed in by Monday morning. On phoning the school - the said teacher was "unavilable", so there's no time to speak to her personally now. I don't find it amusing.

[Ice-Maiden]

China Doll - thank you for your comments. Perhaps you're correct in saying that the teacher has a right to give a detention, but that's why I posted the question, to see what others thought of the situation. If you read my last reply, you'll see that we were given permission to take the holiday when we did - and why. It doesn't excuse the teacher's attitude though, & she knew my son was going to be absent. Had she spoken in a kinder manner & explained that she still needed the work to be done, then given the appropriate time, this would've been produced - with no need for break time detention. As it is, she refused to enlarge on details - so how is my son expected to know what the work IS? All we have to go on, is a vague description of the author, who could've written a dozen books for all I know - but I can find nothing of her, so how is the work to be completed with so little to go on? Bad hair day, I think!

[naomi24]

A young child should not be given detention. The teacher may have the right to impose it, but that doesn't mean it's right to do it, and she's certainly very wrong to be off-hand with him. That attitude only serves to worry a young mind, and does nothing to encourage a child. She knows he hasn't been able to read the book, and that's not his fault since he had no choice in the matter, so the sensible thing would be to ask him to write an essay on another subject this time, and to read the book over the next couple of weeks, and write another essay then. A teacher's negative attitude towards a nine year old over something like this could be damaging and could put him off school for life - and that's not good. He hasn't been naughty or done anything wrong deliberately, so handing out punishment of any description is not an appropriate response in this instance. I would certainly have a quiet word with the teacher.

[chicklin]

No doubt in my mind - I'd go into school and speak to the teacher concerned. If they were unavailable then I'd demand to speak to the Head.
This all seems unreasonable because if he wasn't there at the time the homework was given out, how can he be expected to know what needs to be done.
I don't personally agree with children being taken out of school in term time, but I can see in some cases in might be difficult to do otherwise......however, unless they have now included psychic lessons in the curriculum, how is he supposed to know what goes on when he's not there?.....unless he wasn't listening when the class was told before he went away? (like my daughter has a tendency to do!!! lol!) Anyway - go in and speak to someone.

[beryllium]

Just to add lol....

As you knew you were going during term time? (permission granted) you should have got your sons work itinerary in advance. You do also have a responsibility towards his education.
As much as it would be lovely to rely on teachers remembering which kids are going to be there during school time and which are not so they can advance the work??? they are not always that astute lol

And no. I do not agree with giving a 9 yr old detention when the situation was not his entire fault.

I believe you should also be in detention ;D xxx

[bednobs]

lol b that really made me laugh, cause i kinda agree :)

[bednobs]

also, why hasnt the teacher given him the book?

[cazzz1975]

my daughter is in year 6 and if someone doesnt do their homework they have to attend "homework club" which co incidentally in during break times!

is it another word for detention?

[robotics]

Home work in primary schools is not compulsory until Year 6, so the school is punishing this child for something that he did do not need to do.......I know what I would do

[funnygirl]

I have just spoken to my friend who works in a school as a teachers assistant. She says before you can take your son out of school for holidays, you have to sign a form and on this form there are stipulations, in your case it would be that your son does his homework.
He should have been given the work and book in advance.
I would stick up for your rights here!
The detention means, he is denied his playtime and at aged 9, I did not realise this went on. Disgusting.

[pastafreak]

I would interpret the words "homework is not compulsory" to mean that homework is given at the descretion of the teacher-ie if she believes the class will benefit. It wouldn't mean that the class can decide not to do it...given the choice-none of them would!!!