Parents livid after college says ‘chairs on strike’ forcing children to take a seat on the ground | UK | News | EUROtoday

A metropolis college has rejected mother and father’ “confrontational” criticism over its educating strategies after a row broke out over a pupil chair ban. Water Mill Primary School’s Year 6 pupils had their classroom seats eliminated.

The Selly Oak college stated the “striking” chairs have been taken away as a part of a “creative” and “fun” English lesson based mostly on the e book ‘Day the Crayons Quit’. Children have been tasked with convincing the chairs to “come back off strike”.

But offended mother and father who questioned the educating technique marched by way of college gates on Tuesday to voice their considerations.

They confronted college management over language utilized in letters that got to youngsters after they returned from break. The letters, written by academics however from the angle of “the chairs”, referred to as pupils “horrible” and “selfish” for rocking on them.

One mother or father, who took her daughter out of faculty for the day, raised considerations over well being and security after youngsters have been “made” to take a seat on the ground or on their desks. School bosses launched a probe into the incident.

Following the investigation, deputy headteacher Mr Hill emailed mother and father defending the college’s educating choice. He wrote: “The concept of ‘The Day the Chairs Quit’ was inspired by the book ‘Day the Crayons Quit’.

“It’s a preferred educating useful resource/writing immediate utilized in a large variety of colleges throughout the nation. A fast google of ‘The Day the Chairs Quit’ demonstrates this.”

Mr Hill said children being asked to sit on the carpet was “a longtime and commonplace apply” in “most main colleges”. He added: “On events youngsters could sit on the tables as a part of their studying – that is according to current threat assessments.”

In his conclusion, Mr Hill wrote: “We have a accountability to guard the well-being of all employees and pupils. In order to make sure there isn’t a threat of employees being topic to focused assaults, criticism or bullying, we ask that when you have considerations shifting ahead that you simply elevate them on a person foundation.

“I’m concerned that it’s neither appropriate or productive for a group of parents to present at the school in a manner that could be interpreted (by staff or bystanders) as confrontational. Whilst you may not fully agree with the outcomes of my investigation, I want to reassure that I have investigated thoroughly and robustly your claims.

“I hope to work with you to make sure all youngsters in Year 6 have nice reminiscences of their time at Water Mill.”