Disagree With School Policies

[Hazel0302]

So, my daughter got into our second choice school yesterday for her Reception place. The school is brand new, being built to share the site of a current secondary school and filled from Reception upwards. Some of the idea they have seem a bit strange. For example, the school won't be ready until 28th August, so she won't have a chance to see where she's going before her first day. Also, they mentioned an idea for the parents to take their children to the gate and then have them collected by sixth formers and taken into the classroom. It's that I have the issue with. I feel that my dd won't be able to tell the difference between sixth form and adults and I'm not having her taught it's ok to go off with people she doesn't know. What do you all think? Can I refuse to let that happen to her and insist on taking her in myself?!

[rockyracoon]

It's a bit too hands off hands of for my liking, especially for a 4 year old. What will probably happen is that they're will be loads of kids bawling their eyes out at the school gate. Not an encouraging way forward. I'd ring them with your concerns, you're probably not the only one.

[Tilly2]

Perhaps the sixth formers will accompany the parent and child to the appropriate place. Just ring them and clarify the situation.

[woofgang]

seeing where you will be before the first day is a comparatively new idea, as is allowing parents to take their child into the classroom instead of leaving them at the gate. Not saying that they are bad ideas, just that it hasn't "always" been done that way and children and parents seemed not to be damaged by the old system.
While I understand your concerns, the going off with people she doesn't know is also a bit of a problem because she will be doing that. She won't know all the teachers and school staff for instance.

[AliceTickband]

imho....your child, your rules...at first anyway

[Mamyalynne]

Try to sound out some of the opinions of other parents of the new intake - maybe together some of you can present an alternative that will suit most if not all.

[Chemeyes]

We accompanied our kids until they went into the classroom with the teachers up until year 3 when we saw them in to the playground where the gate was monitored by a teacher to ensure no kids can make a quick exit after being sent in. Only from year 5 were they allowed to take themselves in to school by themselves, personally there's no way I'd let reception age kids be escorted by 6th formers, on the other hand at some part of the school day you're going to be releasing them in to the care of somebody else so I guess in some respects it's not really that different whether it's at the gates or the classroom door.

[gness]

When they have thought this through they'll realise that no sixth former should be given the responsibility of escorting a child who may be nervous and upset and certainly unsure on the first days of school.

Imagine the publicity if the little one did a runner.....

You could calmly make this point.....

[vulcan42]

What happens if the child doesn't want to go with the 6th former? Is he/she carried in kicking and screaming? That's not a good introduction to your first school.