Furious parents slam school's 'severe' punishments for children caught yawning
Parents are claiming children starting a new school term have been met with "severe punishments" for yawning and not having a sharp enough pencil.
Youngsters at Camborne Science and International Academy in Cornwall are getting in trouble for 'minor infringements' according to their parents, but the school has hit back saying the same rules have always applied and they help install "personal success".
One woman claimed that her son, in year 10, had spent just half of a day in lessons on his first week at school due to the 'ridiculous' detentions - called 'reflection'. Another parent even claimed pupils are getting in trouble for yawning.
One parent wrote: "Honestly Camborne Science & International Academy has become a joke! Reflection for going to the toilet during lesson, reflection for going to the toilet during break and having to queue which resulted in being late to class, and another reflection for 'being distracted' during reflection when all she did was turn around when the door banged! It's a good job we spend time working on her education outside of school, as she certainly isn't getting an education IN school!"
Other parents claimed that as many as 30 students were suspended in a single day during the first week of school. All children put in 'reflection' are then sent to a 'massive hall' with as many as 100 students for detention - according to some. The harsh rules have led over 1,400 local residents to join a Facebook community group campaigning for change at the school.
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One parent said: "Their punishments are utterly pathetic and certainly taking the kids confidence away how do they expect a pupil to learn any education with punishments like this for even breathing for God's sake. On a serious note, refusing a pupil of using the toilet if needed and depriving them of their lunch is against human rights absolutely disgraceful."
Camborne Science and International Academy (Google Streetview WS)Another said: "If we as parents treated our kids the way the school does we'd have them removed from our care. Not in a million years would I EVER treat any of my kids like this or any kids for that matter. Power seems to have gone to their heads and they think its acceptable to treat them this way."
In a statement, the school told Cornwall Live: "As an academy, we uphold the highest expectations for behaviour in order to foster a learning environment which empowers every student to achieve their potential.
"Whilst the vast majority of our students embrace these high standards, since the start of the academic year we have had to remind some students of the rules in place, which are consistently applied to all students, though it would not be appropriate to comment on individual circumstances. The only new rule this academic year was a requirement to have a transparent pencil case, a change which was well communicated before the end of the last term.
"Punctuality, organisation, good uniform and consideration towards others are essential core values necessary for personal success. As always, if any parents or carers have questions about how a policy was applied in a specific instance, they are encouraged to contact the academy directly through the usual and appropriate channels. in order to support continued excellence in teaching and learning across our academy, we are currently in the process of going through due diligence with Athena Learning Trust with a view to joining the Trust in the future.
"We have written to parents and carers explaining there will be an opportunity to consult before any final decisions are made and we will invite parents, carers and colleagues to take part in a consultation process in due course.”
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