A lesson about following rules, whether we like them or not

FOR years, the Hull Daily Mail has covered Hull’s need for highperforming schools and Hull City Council’s attempt to absorb East Riding towns and villages to improve results.

The Mail reports Kingswood Academy is now the highest performing school in Yorkshire after making changes to remove distraction and disruption in the classroom. This includes the imposition of discipline and dress codes.

It also reported on April 29 the story of Charlie Deyes, 14, turning up at school with an inappropriate hairstyle for the second time and being removed from class and taught separately.

When Charlie joined the school he was given details of the policy. He ignored it and his hairstyle got him removed from class so he definitely knows it’s prohibited and so does his mum. Despite this he has the same cut again and his mum is “shocked” it’s a problem.

In “Consequences” class Charlie accesses the same work he would be getting in lessons so he doesn’t fall behind and his return to class is seamless, yet she removes him from school altogether.

Surely it would have been better to use it as an example of life and all the rules that he might not agree with but will have to follow or face the consequences.

“The motorway is empty so why can’t I drive at 140mph?”

“The supermarket chain is national so will they really miss this pack of steak?”

“I’ve never had a car crash so why must I have insurance?”

All said to me by people who also believed the rules shouldn’t apply to them.

Hull finally has got a school achieving great results, so if you’re unhappy then exercise your right to go to an alternative school and leave a space at Kingswood for a pupil who will appreciate it.