Manners Maketh Man

A local school, independent I think though I'm not certain, are in trouble with the local education authorities for "irregular" teaching practices.

In the last 25 years I have only been called sir by two school-aged boys and had a door opened for me to pass through before them. Both boys came from that school.

I suspect that it is not in the present educational remit for manners to be allowed, let alone taught. If they are guilty of turning out respectful, well-educated (as their results appear to suggest), pupils then more power to them however they are doing it.

Meanwhile, Marj yesterday had to deal with the class from hell, as she does every Thursday afternoon. Her deputy head came and told her she wasn't teaching properly despite the fact that at the begginging of the year she asked for help as she was struggling with them and every other teacher who has taken them has the same problem.
It is the last few weeks of term for year 6 at that school and they know it. So they don't do what they are told, not that they ever really did. And there's nothing Marj can do. The worst punishment is to lose their playtime but they don't care and of course the teacher also loses thiers whilst they have to look after them. No more standing in the corner with your hands on your head these days! Just asking whether they think they have made "a good choice" with their behaviour. So this lot will probably fail their SATS, the schools statistics will be poor, the teachers will all be in trouble, and the government will no doubt come up with another initiative as to how to make life better for the kids instead of how to make life better for the teachers. No wonder so many leave the profession.