General Chat

Peter Its just that some don't realise that some kids are disruptive because of certain difficulties. Special needs children don't go round with a placard stating their disability, and normally look no different from their peers. So many are lumped together as bad kids...along with the ones who are just naughty. I certainly don't assume that all special needs kids are disruptive, and I'm sorry if my posts give the wrong impression. working in the school environment I have seen loads of special needs kids, many are sociable, well mannered and polite....but some for whatever reason, do misbehave, disrupt and cause havoc...but sadly they cannot understand why they behave like this, to them it is normal. Elaine x

There are children with special needs and I can understand Elaines concerns, these children need to get the correct education with teachers that understand their problems and their parents problems, I cant comment on wether that help is there, because I dont know, but if its not there it should be, to simply say these children are badly behaved is not right, but I also have to say that some could use this as an excuse!!

Most children in schools who show bad behaviour are not special needs children, Special needs children in schools fall into a different category, as these will be on the special needs registers, with an I.E.P in place which parents agree to, not only do they have their own programme of work and targets to work to, they are often supported more than any other child in school. I think that this is going off the subject about talking about special needs,to me special needs in school is not the problem, to me its about more discipline, more tougher measures being brought into school. Most children behave and enjoy school, but in a class you will always have at least 3 who ruin it. Thursday just gone, one child had brought a toy knife into school, the school policy is no toys, but parents don't listen, this child who is 5 by the way, got the knife out and stabbed another young boy who is 5 in the face, now only a red mark appeared, but that's not the point, the toy was confiscated, the child had a behaviour form, missed his play and a report was filled in for the parent, the mother kicked off,on me,the other mother kicked off on the other parent , a fight nearly broke out between them. The parent whos child brought the toy in, didnt bring him into school the next day, so the child didnt miss his playtime as she made her own rule and kept him from coming in. The next day the child who was hurt brought a toy into school to hurt the child who hurt him. His mother had told him to whack him in the face with it. Now this is the problem we are facing, parents and children who will not accept their children are in the wrong, children and parents who wont follow the rules, children and parents who threaten you, children and parent who take things into their own hands, children and parents who do what they want, when they want, etc, and we have no power over this. Also when the two boys were fighting, we are not allowed to touch the children to spilt them up as that brings a law suit, but if i don't split them up and they get hurt im also up against a law suit. We cannot win. We have lost 3 very good teachers, with another 6 thinking of a career change.

Nicola, Im with you all the way, I just hope these new rules help, its about time the government did something about this, this time it was a toy, but what about when he gets to 12??? who knows!!

Toys from home are banned unless prior notice has been given for a special reason, class end of term etc. All toys that are weapon imitations, however childlike are totally barred. Quite often a toy will sneak into school via the book bag, and is confiscated until the end off class. Some kids are told time and time again, letters go home, but many parents do take no notice...or cannot be bothered to read the newsletters etc. I agree that some parents cant get it into their head that the school has rules for every child, we all think our child is special, but we also obey the rules. Ive seen little under 5s with nail varnish on, letter has gone home, they still return wearing it. How difficult is it to say to your kid, only wear that at weekends? Other kids wonder why some break the rules and get away with it. That in itself is confusing. Elaine x

Roxanne Totally agree i thought the same, it might have only been plastic but one day it may not. You can have as many rules, policies, strategies etc in schools and maybe so in other workplaces, but if parents don't want to follow them etc, then they wont work. Its these parents who need to be targeted, fined or whatever will work, also i should be allowed to stop a fight by splitting them up and move a child from class after he/she has picked a chair up and threw it across the room. What about all the children who never put a foot out of place, always come to school, have manners, are helpful and good all the time. When i was little we didn't have the cane, the thought of going to see the head was scary enough and then more scary was your parents being brought in, it was more about being embarrassed and shamed than anything else. If something isn't done, then more fights will break out in schools, more bullying, less education going on through dealing with everything, also less people wanting to work in education. Its about time some action is brought in before it gets out of hand and weapons come in.

Wendy, even though I dont believe in 'organised religion' I think christian teachings would be a good thing at least it would give a child some sort of moral footing which is sadly lacking I would be all for it!!xxx