Any real solicitor types on here?

[Lord Bracknell]

Eh? What about that gap between the ages of 5 and 17. That's when most right minded parents would encourage road sense - and ideally with supervision in the early days.

But many of them don't. Look at the number of kids who get delivered to secondary schools in parental cars and get picked up again in the afternoon.

I have to say, a 5 year old walking to school on their own sounds like a completely shit idea to me.

I never talked about travelling to school on my own - the supervision came from seven and eight year olds.

I grant that traffic is worse today and there are particular local circumstances that need to be taken into account. But there is no good reason, in general terms, why an eight year old shouldn't be encouraged to be sufficiently streetwise to walk around most neighbourhoods independently.

 

[Simster]

But many of them don't. Look at the number of kids who get delivered to secondary schools in parental cars and get picked up again in the afternoon.

Agreed. I'd like to think our kids will be able to get themselves to and from school by the time they get to 11 or 12 years old. But that's not the same thing as a 5 year old walking to school.

I never talked about travelling to school on my own - the supervision came from seven and eight year olds.

I grant that traffic is worse today and there are particular local circumstances that need to be taken into account. But there is no good reason, in general terms, why an eight year old shouldn't be encouraged to be sufficiently streetwise to walk around most neighbourhoods independently.

Seven and eight years cannot be held responsible for the safety of their 5 year old companions, Ed. That is ridiculous. ESPECIALLY given the traffic volumes over the centuries that have passed since you were 5.

 

[Lady Bracknell]

It's all about common sense though, innit? My sons walked to school unescorted when they were 7 and 8. No main roads to cross and en route they were joined by friends so that it was no time at all before there was a whole Posse of them.

Someone I used to work with whose children attended the same school was horrified and one day insisted on giving my two a lift. During which she did as every school day and drove the wrong way up a one-way street because it cut 5 minutes off the journey!!! Quite what this added to their safety I have yet to understand...

But for sure, local circumstances permitting, I can't see why any 8 year old should be unable to find its way to and from school without parental accompaniment.

 

[Beach Hut]

Mini will start making his own way to school from September when he will still be 9.

He could do it now but some of his friends have younger brothers and sisters so they all go with the Mums in a "posse".

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Seven and eight years cannot be held responsible for the safety of their 5 year old companions, Ed. That is ridiculous. ESPECIALLY given the traffic volumes over the centuries that have passed since you were 5.

In overall terms, obviously.

In my particular circumstances, I wonder whether the volume of traffic in the 1950s using what is now the A65, Abbey Road, Leeds, is higher or lower than the volume of traffic now using, say, Mile Oak Road, Portslade (to choose somewhere that the other ex-5 year old walker on NSC might be familiar with).

And, of course, no-one these days seems to trust seven and eight year olds.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

I think more use of public transport and where ever possible by walking by our kids should be encouraged. I think 5 is too young, but depending on the roads and distance then I cant see a problem by the age of 8/9. Certainly by 11 or 12 they should be independent enough.

As for the mob. Why do kids need then during the day?

 

[tedebear]

As for the mob. Why do kids need then during the day?

Thats what I was wondering also! I never had one til I was about 18 (I think)...Has child safety changed that much in 12 years that kids need them now? Or, as I suspect, is it because everyone else has one?

 

[Gazwag]

Fair point although antagonistically worded...Why do kids need mobile phones at school? Is it to keep in touch with their parents, with their parents protecting their kids from dangers all day everyday, or is it because everyone else has one?

I could have written it differently but I was amazed that, as Hoop posts "They normally text each other during breaks" cant they wait until after school to chat to each other.

 

[tedebear]

I could have written it differently but I was amazed that, as Hoop posts "They normally text each other during breaks" cant they wait until after school to chat to each other.

Yes quite!

 

[Shegull]

The one time my school attempted to do this, I called the cops. They came and warned the principal for attempted theft

Bloody troublemaker



No wonder the education system in Ireland is the way it is.

 

[BigGully]

Hoop Junior had her mobile confiscated at school today as she had it with her in the library. I've got no problem with them confiscating it and giving it back at the end of the day but the c ts seem to think they're entitled to keep it all weekend.

I'd like some serious advice please as to where I stand with this ...

Your littlin' has broken a School rule that I am sure everyone was aware of.....and now theres some punishment..live with it..and maybe even support it.

How did they know that he/she had a mobile

Obviously it went off etc.

Come on...teach your child that she/he is responsible for her actions.........


and here you are looking for Solicitor types...!!!!

Come on ....probably an apology to the School and an assurance from you of any future indiscretions would help !!!

 

[csider]

Good - hope it will teach her a lesson. OH MY GOD - NEWS FLASH - CHILD HAS NO PHONE OVER THE WEEKEND.

 

[nail-Z]

In my opinion phones should not be permitted in schools at all - they are nothing but a distraction. They are irritating enough in an office full of adults, let alone a classroom full of kids.

The school our child attends does not allow any child to take a phone to school unless they live more than 2 miles away and make their own way to school. In these circumstance only are they allowed to take a phone onto the premises, but they must be left in reception where they can be collected when schooling is finished.

Same goes for iPods, MP3's, and any other eletronic gizmatroids.

 

[Theatre of Trees]

Speaking as a teacher mobiles are a pain in the arse, these days they are more than just phones and are used to store and play music as well as taking pictures or videoing. The latter can cause huge problems in other areas, we had a case a year or two ago of a girl videoing in the PE changing rooms then sending it on to others.

On the origin of the thread I must admit holding the phone for a weekend seems a little excessive to me, I've always confiscated it for a day or if they continue to whinge about it I get the parents in to collect it. A couple of times doing that usually stops the problem as the parents get a little pissed off having to waste their time coming into school. Some parents are a bit unsupportive but on the whole most are.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Everyone saying that Sussexhoop should back the school is missing the point. If Sussexhoop chooses to back the school then that is up to him to keep the phone confiscated over the weekend, it is his decision and not the schools. As soon as he (not the pupil) asked for the phone back they should've given it back, out of school hours it is up to him how he raises his children.
Weather it's a phone, ball, shoes or whatever, schools shouldn't have the right to keep personal property over the weekend