The school ‘punishment room’ where disruptive pupils get to play games
Despairing staff criticise ‘reward for bad behaviour’
PUPILS at a secondary school are being allowed to play on a games console during lesson time – as a ‘reward’ for bad behaviour.
The extraordinary scheme has seen Graeme High School in Falkirk invest in a PlayStation 4, costing more than £300, in a special ‘nurture group’ room.
Staff and some pupils at the cashstrapped school are angry at the waste of funds – and at the fact poorly behaved children are given ‘time out’ to play on a console, while their classmates work.
Education Scotland, the SNP’s controversial schools quango, backed the use of the PlayStation at the 1,026-pupil school.
But Chris McGovern of the Campaign for Real Education said the scheme was of no educational value.
He said: ‘It is doing these children no favours. It is a form of appeasement but it doesn’t work because it incentivises pupils to behave badly, hoping they will be sent to the PlayStation room.
‘Given the problems that Scottish education has, many parents will be appalled at the waste of money involved.’
One education source said: ‘A lot of kids are pretty annoyed they are being asked to raise money for the school – which in turn has bought a PlayStation for a small number of kids to play on.
‘The official line is the school have set up a “nurture room”, for pupils who have additional educational needs. There is no issue with that. It then transpired the school has paid for PlayStation, and children who don’t feel like attending class may sit and play instead of attending lessons. It’s a reward for bad behaviour.’
Education expert Keir Bloomer, a former education director of Clackmannanshire Council, said: ‘If the question is, “Is there any learning as a result of playing on a PlayStation?” the chances are no. But if being in this room helps young people to adapt to school, then there may be some value.’
Scottish Tory education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘It’s understandable that parents are annoyed at this development, particularly when it appears funds at the school are tight.’ A Falkirk Council spokesman said: ‘Intervention such as this has been used widely across Scotland for more than a decade to help pupils develop skills and promote positive relationships.
‘Feedback from parents and our parent council has been very positive since its introduction in August. Pupils are only referred to this type of support after discussion with a psychologist, parents and the pupils themselves where appropriate. It is scientifically based, time-limited and support takes many different forms and not simply an electronic game as suggested.’
A Scottish Government spokesman referred our inquiry to Education Scotland. A spokesman for the quango said: ‘As the main focus in nurture groups is on developing positive relationships and promoting social and emotional skills, the activities and resources used there should always have this focus.
‘Schools would therefore select resources and match any use of games consoles to the needs of the individual.’
‘Appalled at the waste of money involved’