Another amazing article
Julie W
More of the condescending view of government to children this time from
Britain the link is:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/truancy/story/0,12751,888038,00.html
I especially laughed at "parents are constantly undermining our efforts,"
and "It is not just the childen who need educating, but the parents as
well."
Julie Ward
Wellington
New Zealand
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Britain the link is:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/truancy/story/0,12751,888038,00.html
I especially laughed at "parents are constantly undermining our efforts,"
and "It is not just the childen who need educating, but the parents as
well."
Julie Ward
Wellington
New Zealand
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Head blames affluent parents for 'abysmal' truancy record
Monday February 3, 2003
A headteacher has criticised jet-setting parents for the abysmal truancy
record of his school in an affluent area of Manchester. New statistics
revealed that truancy at Wilmslow high school in Cheshire is more than
double the national benchmark.
Roy Lyon said skiing holidays and late breaks in the sun were to blame for
his pupils skipping lessons at the school, which serves a district that is
home to successful business people and Manchester United stars.
He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."
Mr Lyon warned: "I believe this is wrong. Our staff work very hard to give
pupils the best possible start in life and parents are continually
undermining this effort."
He said parents had to take their share of responsibility for a 1.6% truancy
rate, the highest in the district and among the worst in Cheshire. This was
well above the government benchmark of 0.7% and the worst record of nine
secondary schools in the Macclesfield borough.
He was backed by Mary Flynn, senior education welfare officer for East
Cheshire, who last week organised the first Wilmslow "truancy swoop" with a
police community action team. School staff joined police and education
officers on a two-day patrol around Wilmslow and neighbouring Handforth,
stopping children and parents in the street.
She said the swoop was not just to catch truants, but also to make parents
aware of their responsibilities. "I think Wilmslow high school is one of the
most honest schools I deal with in the way it produces its figures. If it is
not challenged, both parents and children begin to think that truancy is
permissible. It is not just the children who need educating, but the parents
as well," said Ms Flynn.
Deborah Lewis
***He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents are
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks
in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."***
The nerve of those parents! Wanting to spend time and have fun with
their children? What is this world coming to?
I'm shocked, frankly.
Deb L
determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks
in
September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
figures."***
The nerve of those parents! Wanting to spend time and have fun with
their children? What is this world coming to?
I'm shocked, frankly.
Deb L
Peggy
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 14:41:53 +1300
From: "Julie W" <xtr581602@...>
your children. What is even more amazing is the related articles listed
at the bottom of this article:
children to Switzerland for a holiday!!!
Here in the States it would be "Crackdowns at DisneyWorld!" ;)
Peggy
From: "Julie W" <xtr581602@...>
> More of the condescending view of government to children this time fromDon't mess with the well oiled machine by actually spending time with
> Britain the link is:
> http://education.guardian.co.uk/truancy/story/0,12751,888038,00.html
your children. What is even more amazing is the related articles listed
at the bottom of this article:
> Related articlesGoodness, go arrest those well-to-do parents slipping off with their
> 31.12.2002: Desperate mother considers starving truant son
> 27.12.2002: Pregnant mother of truant spends Christmas in jail
> 15.12.2002: Army to battle school truancy
> 12.12.2002: Clarke outlines £469m behaviour strategy
> 12.12.2002: Headteachers concern over truancy fines
> 02.12.2002: Parents targeted in latest truancy crackdown
> 01.12.2002: Benefits cut for truancy shelved
> 15.11.2002: Clarke announces tough measures on truancy
> 13.11.2002: Queen's speech will call for anti-truancy measures
> 09.10.2002: Parents of truants face fast-track prosecution
>
> Related comment
> 07.01.2003: Ted Wragg: Fining parents is madness
> 15.12.2002: Cristina Odone: Don't blame parents
> 21.05.2002: Following the truancy patrol
> 15.05.2002: Leader: Prison won't solve truancy
> 27.04.2002: Kate Figes: No guardian angels
> 08.04.2002: Madeleine Bunting: Adolescent angst
>
> Speeches
> 12.12.2002: Discipline in schools speech
>
> The story so far ...
> 13.11.2002: Playing truant
children to Switzerland for a holiday!!!
Here in the States it would be "Crackdowns at DisneyWorld!" ;)
Peggy
nellebelle
We are pet-sitting this week for neighbors who are on a DisneyWorld cruise. And she is a teacher (currently working as an occasional substitute.) On the one hand, I was impressed to hear her say that she felt a family vacation was as worthwhile as school, but I think it's only because she will insist that her kids make daily journal entries on the trip, and they will experience science at Epcot. Still, better than thinking that nothing is more important than sitting in a classroom.
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen
----- Original Message ----- Here in the States it would be "Crackdowns at DisneyWorld!" ;)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/5/03 12:16:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
was going to take a trip to California to visit family and the child in
kindergarten (only one old enough to be in school) would miss a week of
school. The teacher said she go only if she went to at least 2 museums and
wrote a report for school.
My mouth dropped. First I didn't know you needed to ask permission to take
your child on a trip. Second she is only 5 years old. They would probably
see museums and other touristy things anyway but to write a report. My word.
What pressure for a 5 year old. They are not homeschooling but the wheels
are turning.
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> .) On the one hand, I was impressed to hear her say that she felt a familyA friend of ours was asking about homeschooling. It seems that the family
> vacation was as worthwhile as school, but I think it's only because she
> will insist that her kids make daily journal entries on the trip, and they
> will experience science at Epcot.
was going to take a trip to California to visit family and the child in
kindergarten (only one old enough to be in school) would miss a week of
school. The teacher said she go only if she went to at least 2 museums and
wrote a report for school.
My mouth dropped. First I didn't know you needed to ask permission to take
your child on a trip. Second she is only 5 years old. They would probably
see museums and other touristy things anyway but to write a report. My word.
What pressure for a 5 year old. They are not homeschooling but the wheels
are turning.
Pam G.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alan & Brenda Leonard
2/5/03 09:00:
her kids to school) was telling me today that she can't take her kids with
her on our church choir's 4-day trip to Italy this spring. They would miss
ONE day of school, and she applied to the school for permission to miss the
day, and the school said no.
I must have had my mouth hanging open, because she endeavered to explain how
this had come about because of parents taking their kids out willy-nilly for
vacations and ski holidays and such. So now you have to ask permission to
go away, and often the schools won't grant it. Many of the parents who have
the $$ to take nice "extra" holidays have children in the gymnasium which is
the college-track, important secondary school. So the school holds the last
card, which is that if they are denied permission and go anyway, they'll get
kicked out of the gymnasium.
Pitiful. I'm going to take a few days before and after so Tim and I have
time to go to Pisa and Venice, too. I can't imagine that a trip to Italy
wouldn't be more educational than a day at school.
brenda
> He said: "We have a very big problem in Wilmslow where parents areAn American friend here in Germany who is not military (so she has to send
> determined to take children on skiing holidays in January or late breaks
> in
> September. This unauthorised absence is the sole reason for these truancy
> figures."
her kids to school) was telling me today that she can't take her kids with
her on our church choir's 4-day trip to Italy this spring. They would miss
ONE day of school, and she applied to the school for permission to miss the
day, and the school said no.
I must have had my mouth hanging open, because she endeavered to explain how
this had come about because of parents taking their kids out willy-nilly for
vacations and ski holidays and such. So now you have to ask permission to
go away, and often the schools won't grant it. Many of the parents who have
the $$ to take nice "extra" holidays have children in the gymnasium which is
the college-track, important secondary school. So the school holds the last
card, which is that if they are denied permission and go anyway, they'll get
kicked out of the gymnasium.
Pitiful. I'm going to take a few days before and after so Tim and I have
time to go to Pisa and Venice, too. I can't imagine that a trip to Italy
wouldn't be more educational than a day at school.
brenda