‘Community service’ replaces detentions

A SECONDARY school plans to make misbehaving children wear green bibs and pick up litter as a “community service” punishment.

Kenton School, in Newcastle upon Tyne, proposed the measure for pupils facing serious disciplinary action and said they could also opt to help clear the canteen.

However, the proposals were criticised by some parents. One mother, who asked not to be named, said: “If they do something wrong, then punish them – but that seems like humiliation, and could cause mental health and anxiety problems.”

The draft changes to the school’s behaviour policy, which have been sent to parents, state that there would be seven escalating stages, starting with warnings. If the warnings are ignored then pupils will spend a lesson in a “reflection room” followed by a 30-minute detention that evening.

If the pupil fails to attend the detention then a whole school detention would be issued – called a C5.

The letter to parents adds: “[That] will be cancelled should the pupil undertake 30 minutes of community service the lunchtime of the C5 sanction day, such as litter picking or assisting in clearing the canteen. Pupils will wear a green hi-viz bib.”

Sarah Holmes-carne, the principal, said the school was consulting on the changes and was “more than happy to listen to parents’ views”.