Naughty Kids Taught in Community Centre - 27th Nov 2009 12:37pm
Naughty children at Wallasey school taught in community centre
NAUGHTY children are escaping suspensions by being taught at a community centre down the road from their school.
The move at Wallasey secondary The Oldershaw has seen pupils permanently shown the door wiped out and suspensions plummet 400% from 59 to 14 within two years.
Today, Wirral education chiefs and anti-bullying charity Bullybusters highlighted it as a positive example of “restorative justice”.
It was credited in a new council report for driving down suspensions and expulsions in the borough.
The scheme at The Oldershaw was set up two years ago as part of head teacher Steven Peach’s bid to promote good behaviour and respect among pupils.
Around 50 children a year who may have previously been automatically suspended, or in more serious cases expelled, are now given a chance to see their error of the ways.
They are taught a couple of miles away at New Brighton community centre.
As well as continuing to receive lessons in all core subjects, such as maths, English and science, the children must also get to grips with restorative justice.
They must look at the impact their behaviour had on other children, in some cases writing and apologising in person to their victim.
Pupils were ordered to replace a stolen bike and, when possessions could not be returned, pay compensation.
The pupils are taught at the community centre until senior staff believe they can return to school, with stays ranging from a few days to several weeks.
Mr Peach today said students would actually prefer to be suspended.
He added: “By excluding pupils, we cannot monitor what they do.
“In cases where parents do not have the same influence, they could simply end up on the streets. What do they learn then?
“This is about relationships and respect and part of our traditional values and ensuring children face up to their responsibilities.”
THE ECHO
NAUGHTY children are escaping suspensions by being taught at a community centre down the road from their school.
The move at Wallasey secondary The Oldershaw has seen pupils permanently shown the door wiped out and suspensions plummet 400% from 59 to 14 within two years.
Today, Wirral education chiefs and anti-bullying charity Bullybusters highlighted it as a positive example of “restorative justice”.
It was credited in a new council report for driving down suspensions and expulsions in the borough.
The scheme at The Oldershaw was set up two years ago as part of head teacher Steven Peach’s bid to promote good behaviour and respect among pupils.
Around 50 children a year who may have previously been automatically suspended, or in more serious cases expelled, are now given a chance to see their error of the ways.
They are taught a couple of miles away at New Brighton community centre.
As well as continuing to receive lessons in all core subjects, such as maths, English and science, the children must also get to grips with restorative justice.
They must look at the impact their behaviour had on other children, in some cases writing and apologising in person to their victim.
Pupils were ordered to replace a stolen bike and, when possessions could not be returned, pay compensation.
The pupils are taught at the community centre until senior staff believe they can return to school, with stays ranging from a few days to several weeks.
Mr Peach today said students would actually prefer to be suspended.
He added: “By excluding pupils, we cannot monitor what they do.
“In cases where parents do not have the same influence, they could simply end up on the streets. What do they learn then?
“This is about relationships and respect and part of our traditional values and ensuring children face up to their responsibilities.”
THE ECHO
thanks for that pob. 