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Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - Dawn Hoskins (23rd May 2008 - 11:21:59) I was shocked and amazed to hear that yesterday; approximately half of the students at Bohunt School went on strike. This is very drastic action – so what could they be feeling so angry about? Well in order to finish at 3 o’clock – lunchtime is to cut by more than half [to 25 minutes] and morning registration is to be abolished- where the children get a chance to chat to friends who are not in their 'sets' for classes Firstly, I am amazed that they would be able to get themselves together and coordinate the action – to get their voices heard. Secondly, I am so shocked that as a parent I know nothing about this timetable overhaul. The system of communication at Bohunt seems to be – “well, its on the web page should you chose to look at it from time to time and if you don’t it is your fault that you don’t know”!! I’m sorry, but that is just not a good enough form of communication. As a busy Mum of three children I have little spare time and certainly am not going to waste it trawling though web pages that may or may not include relevant information. If an important matter such as a complete re-structure of school hours is being considered – then it should be waved under our noses – not hidden under the carpet. We should all get a chance to have a say. It is almost as if their strategy is 'the less people who know the less objection there will be'. (This reminds me of the telephone mast fiasco where the board of governors saw fit to have a mast in the school grounds just to earn a few pennies for the coffers – never mind the proven cancer risks of harmful radiowaves in the school yard – all done by making decisions in private and trying to keep things as quiet as possible!!! ) The children, in the main, seem to be upset that they will only have 25 minutes to queue / buy / eat their lunch. This gives them no time to socialize or rest. From direct information from children at the school, there is a feeling amongst the students that their views have been totally overlooked and this measure is being introduced by stealth. This is a hugely important matter which has a knock on effect re: junior and infant schools. Parents with children in both places will have to hang around for half an hour before and after school (as the infants and juniors’ start at 9 and finish at 3.30 / 3.45) And what is the point of this exercise? Well I have looked at the Bohunt web page today – and it seems to be purely so that they can organise sports fixtures a little bit more easily?! There is nothing – absolutely nothing – giving any other reason to do this. Perhaps someone who knows the actual reasons behind this move can shed some light? ------ [From Bohunt May newsletter - Mrs Miles gave a presentation on the Structure of the School Day from September 2008. She outlined the educational benefits of ending the school day slightly earlier, and beginning 10 minutes earlier, and reorganising lunchtime to allow for this. A discussion about this potential impact on the day to day work of the school followed. Start 8.30am Lesson 1: 8.30 – 9.20 Lesson 2: 9.25 – 10.15 Break: 10.15 - 10.35 Lesson 3: 10.35 – 11.25 Lesson 4: 11.30 - 12.20 Lunch A/House time B: 12.20 – 12.45 House time A/Lunch B: 12.50 – 1.15 Lesson 5: 1.15 – 2.05 Lesson 6: 2.10 - 3.00 The following points emerged · The time spent by pupils engaged in learning in lessons would be the same · The earlier finish was designed to facilitate liaison with other schools in 1419 provision across the local consortium. It also allows for the fact the majority of local schools end their school day earlier than ours and that sports fixtures are currently very difficult to arrange because of this, and will become more so. · The concept of the ‘split lunch’ was outlined. This has the benefit of halving the number of pupils having lunch at any time, and therefore improving the quality of the experience. · The concept of arriving at school and going directly to lesson 1 was outlined. It was felt that an earlier and more immediate start to learning would focus pupils even more. Registration can now be easily conducted in lesson 1 via the wireless network, as is already the case in lesson 5 first thing in the afternoon. · The positive impact on the quality of extracurricular provision was outlined. Ending school half an hour earlier in the afternoon provides a longer and higher quality period of time for sports, music and the wide variety of other activities on offer. The provision of an after school homework club in the library will continue, and there will be ‘late buses’ as at present.]

Re: Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - Mike Brown (23rd May 2008 - 14:03:21) The Infants actually finish at 3.15 and the Juniors at 3.25

Re: Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - Dawn Hoskins (23rd May 2008 - 14:43:34) Yes, lessons finish at that time. My children never came out of the doors of the juniors before 3.35 - it always took them 10 minutes to find their stuff and get out of the building

Re: Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - Jane G (23rd May 2008 - 20:02:58) Whilst I am in two minds about whether the new school hours are a good idea, I would defend the fact that Bohunt have communicated this to parents through the newsletter. My daughter brought home a letter some weeks ago stating that the newsletter was now available on line, or I could return a slip to school to get a printed copy. When I looked on-line all the relevant information regarding the new school hours was there. My daughter took part in a meeting at Bohunt this week to discuss the new school hours and the feedback I got was that most pupils there (who represented their tutor groups) were against the proposal. They decided at the meeting to call a strike the next day and it would appear that it did indeed happen. I hope that Bohunt does listen to the pupils views on whether these hours are a good idea, and all credit to those who took action to let their voices be heard. From a traffic point of view I feel this can only be a positive move as it will stop the large amount of traffic that accumulates at 3.30 and hopefully even out the flow a little!

Re: Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - Dawn Hoskins (24th May 2008 - 15:39:31) I see your point about the traffic issue. However, I think the only way to alleviate ‘school run’ traffic congestion is to follow the American example. School buses should be available from ALL OVER the catchments area, not just for those who live more than 3 miles away. When we lived in Hong Kong cars were simply not allowed into school areas – busses were the only option! If parents had an alternative means of transport for their children they might take it up. We live 2.8 miles away and as you know, there is not a pavement to walk on even if the children did want to walk! So, for us and many like us in Passfield, we have no option but to drive. It does seem ridiculous that a bus can’t be provided; I had wondered whether AMK might take it on as a private venture – I think there was talk of it last year – but nothing materialised. Also, thanks for pointing out that you had prior notice of the school hours change. I think that until they start physically tattooing letters onto visible parts of my boys’ bodies – it is unlikely that I will ever be informed in advance! That is why I think it is important for the school to directly communicate with parents when something important is going to change. (Not that I have any belief that they will listen to us or take our views into account whatsoever)

Re: Students go on strike at Bohunt!!! - andy stevens (31st May 2008 - 06:17:12) I Would give the students some respect. They have had the balls to stand up to the top people and say "hang on why are you doing this" Something which people find hard to do in every day to day life. I have heard about protests etc from adults with kids. I was at the one to Save the Guildford Hospital!! People down grade the kids saying they are all bullys, have no respect. But to me them standing up and staying together means that they have the balls and if they can do that it makes a better team. Maybe people could do that with this goverment the country wouldnt be in the state that it is now. I went to Bohunt and know of all the things that went on there! ALSO know all the good and bad people! They would say well done to the students.

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