Gransnet forums

AIBU

This school has banned pencil cases

(224 Posts)
Floradora9 Fri 11-May-18 16:20:08

St Wilfrid's Primary School in Blyth, Northumberland has banned pencil cases because it could stigmatise the poorer pupils. What next ? Perhaps only NHS glasses to be worn , Primark knickers , Aldi snacks. I think this is so mad .

JenniferEccles Sat 12-May-18 13:27:21

Every week there seems to be another new phrase invented for us to get our heads around.

I see now it's 'poverty proofing' !!

I wonder who thought that one up?!!

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 13:26:28

Very few children at my DGC’s primary ever taken by any car let alone a fancy one . My DGC are possibly one of a handful (when we can that is) .

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 13:24:11

But what will they ban after the designer pencil case mostly harmless ?

There have always been and will always be bullies . Banning pencil cases will not stop that .

harrigran Sat 12-May-18 13:24:10

I never gave cars much thought but when DS announced he was upgrading his car GD told him he could now take her to school grin

mostlyharmless Sat 12-May-18 13:09:59

The whole point of the policy is to make children feel more equal at school, both primary and secondary. This “poverty proofing” resulted in less truancy, less bullying, better behaviour and better results.
Surely worth sacrificing a designer pencil case for.

jenpax Sat 12-May-18 13:05:41

Bullying and teasing in schools is a real problem.
I certainly think that it’s down to parents to bring their children up not to bully others and not to value themselves on the logo of an item or clothing bought.
My 3 DD went to a secondary school in a leafy suburb but the bulling was rife? if your parents didn’t have “the right car” or you didn’t wear the latest branded coat or shoes and it was worse on mufti days? because then your whole outfit was judged and you were bullied for being “ a pov”? which my eldest DD assured me stood for poor person!

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 13:05:18

We also had buy and sell secondhand uniform days at the end of term and no one batted an eyelid at buying of wearing what was needed.
and it was often the 'better-off' parents who were most eager to buy the second-hand uniform.
I remember helping at a sale once and someone bought my DD's old (but cared-for) uniform and then realising that she was an actress on the telly.

Agus Sat 12-May-18 12:56:27

Re this rule being applied at secondary level beggars belief.

Both DDs had a Saturday job during final years at secondary and quite frankly it was no ones business what they pur hased with their own money.

DDs attended my old school which had a strict uniform policy but even that was relaxed in final years. We also had buy and sell secondhand uniform days at the end of term and no one batted an eyelid at buying of wearing what was needed.

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 12:44:27

They don't have to give up their dreams, whatever they may be, but it is good to have some qualifications too in case the dreams never come true.

I suppose mine were not 'dreams' - more mundane goals.

JenniferEccles Sat 12-May-18 12:29:06

You are splitting hairs trisher.

I'm sure you know perfectly well what I and others mean when we say children should be encouraged to work hard at school, get qualifications which would lead to a good job and a comfortable lifestyle. No-one is talking about buying 'tat', but a home, an interesting career and to be self supportive, earning money and not sponging off the state.

THAT is what I wanted for myself and my children.

trisher Sat 12-May-18 11:25:28

You chose to read my post as such gillybob, but even so if you considered it personal I apologise.
Just one word of warning if as you say these are your DGD's "treasures" be carefull about sending them into school. I have so many times had to spend time after school searching for a lost "treasure", which shouldn't have been in school in the first place, but which has vanished somewhere in the classroom, corridor, hall or cloakroom never to be found. And had to hand a crying child a paper hankie, give a hug and reassure him/her that it might turn up or someone might hand it in (it rarely did).

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 10:59:56

I suppose if what you want children to aspire to is who can buy the best tat it may spur some of them on.

Did I call your GD’s things ”tat” gillybob ?

Well considering we were talking about pencil cases and the likes and I said my DGD loves her stationary etc.

Yes you kind of did trisher

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 10:55:41

Pathetic and nasty trisher but hey ho !

trisher Sat 12-May-18 10:42:15

I didn't just say "dreams" Jalima1108 I said "aims and dreams". They may choose to do something which is very worthy but doesn't pay a huge salary. The point is that their ambitions should not be purely financial but should reflect the fact that satisfaction can be found doing a job you enjoy, well.
Did I call your GD's things "tat" gillybob? I think you have chosen to interpret my post as saying that which must say something about how you really view your GD's possessions.

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 10:30:35

I wouldn't call my house, my car, my phone tat.
That's what spurred me on.

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 10:30:01

My DGC absolutely do pursue their dreams trisher and they are all extremely talented in their chosen sports, one is more talented than I would ever share on this forum for fear of being branded a brag .

gillybob Sat 12-May-18 10:25:59

One persons “tat” is another persons treasure trisher . My DGD loves her stationary it is her little “thing” it’s not fair to call her special things “tat” ?

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 10:23:41

I suppose if what you want children to aspire to is who can buy the best tat it may spur some of them on. Personally I will stick with them pursuing their aims and dreams, and making the best of their skills and talents, which may, or may not, be financially rewarding.
I assume that is in reply to posts by JenniferEccles and me.
It's all very well pursuing dreams - that doesn't always pay the bills.

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 10:19:37

I suppose if what you want children to aspire to is who can buy the best tat it may spur some of them on.
That wasn't what I meant at all when I said that it spurred me on trisher
It spurred me on to one day be able to have a car to take DP out and a telephone at my home and to be able to provide DP with a telephone so that we could keep in touch with them.

trisher Sat 12-May-18 10:12:28

Agus it is being applied in some secondary schools as well and the pupils have welcomed it.
There's a lot of "it wasn't like that in my day" on here. I think people have short memories. Even the uniform in my grammar school had levels of poshness. You could tell the most expensive version, it was a slight shade darker, then there was the cheaper shop bought, and the poorest amongst us had hand knitted jumpers.
I suppose if what you want children to aspire to is who can buy the best tat it may spur some of them on. Personally I will stick with them pursuing their aims and dreams, and making the best of their skills and talents, which may, or may not, be financially rewarding.

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 09:32:21

Perhaps, as one poster suggested, having cheap but nice pencil cases for sale stamped with a school logo or similar would be a good idea; they could be subsidised by fundraising.
Those who bought one could be seen as supporting the school whereas those with posh Smiggle ones or similar would not be.

Agus Sat 12-May-18 09:29:20

This is the Nanny State at it’s most ridiculous.

If these children can’t cope with others having a better/worse item at primary level. What happens when it all changes to, as it does in secondary school to anything goes?

Jalima1108 Sat 12-May-18 09:29:05

[gasp] gillybob - no you may not say that!

Maybe there's a life lesson here for children - work hard at school, pass your exams, get a good job then you too can have a good standard of living.
JenniferEccles that is one thing that spurred me on when I was young - although some would say that was a materialistic attitude.

Luckygirl Sat 12-May-18 09:25:32

We were issued a nib pen that we had to dip in the inkwell sunk into the desk!

Sunlover Sat 12-May-18 08:58:47

To be honest the school curriculum and timetable is so full and manic collecting in pencils at the end of every lesson is easily forgotten.
I now do supply teaching so visit various classes and there is always someone with no pencil. However, other children are always kind and generous and happy to lend.