Parent says new high school rules 'overly strict'

Pakefield High School introduced the new classroom rules at the start of the academic year

A parent has described a new set of classroom rules implemented at a school, which includes giving pupils a countdown, as "overly strict".

Head teacher Philip Dougherty started at Pakefield High School in Suffolk at the start of the academic year.

He told parents the rules, labelled as the Pakefield 10, would "reduce distractions in the classroom".

Mel, who lives in Lowestoft, said her 15-year-old daughter, who had special educational needs, was suspended two hours into the term over "defiant and rude behaviour" when challenged over her uniform.

Mel said her daughter had difficulty wearing a tie and also wore fingerless gloves.

The teenager "doesn't deal with confrontation well", she said, and was suspended after refusing an internal exclusion - whereby pupils are usually removed from lesson but remain on site.

"I support any school that puts in boundaries because it creates consistency," she said.

"[But] there are children that are struggling because they have fidget issues and concentration issues and are not able to follow the rules and because of that behaviour that they can't help - they're receiving a detention straight away."

The Pakefield 10

In a letter, sent to parents and seen by the BBC, the new classroom rules were set out:

1. Arrive on time and enter the classroom quietly. Upon arrival, stand behind your chair and get ready to learn

2. Have the correct equipment and wear the correct uniform in every lesson

3. Sit down in silence and start the set task when the teacher gives the instructions "3,2,1, go" whilst the teacher completes the register

4. Present all work neatly and accurately, following the school rules for presentation

5. Give the teacher your full attention when they give the instruction "1,2,3 track me". This means; sit up straight, arms folded in front of you with nothing in your hands; track the teacher

6. Follow instructions the first time you are asked, completing all tasks to the highest standard whilst remaining polite and respectful at all time

7. Use a clear, confident voice to speak so everyone can hear you

8. Engage fully with the reading tasks ensuring you are tracking the text at all times

9. Pack away in silence when instructed to at the end of the lesson and stand behind your chair ready to be dismissed row by row

10. Move quickly and calmly to your next lesson

Hundreds of comments about the rule changes have been posted on social media, some who said they were pupils, claiming the rules were "childish".

One person, who said they were a father of a student, said the rules were "insulting" the intelligence of pupils.

"The kids are panicking," added Mel.

"The new starters from Year 7 have come from a primary setting that haven't had such strict rules, into a setting I suppose deemed as overly strict."

However, others posting on social media were supportive of tougher rules at schools, believing it would improve discipline.

'Secure environment'

The BBC has contacted both Pakefield High School and Clarion Corvus Trust, which runs the school, for comment.

In the letter sent to parents, the head teacher wrote that the new rules would reduce distractions in the classroom, create a predictable and secure learning environment and support emotional self-regulation in students.

The letter referenced research from the Department for Education, saying it showed "routines which create a predictable and secure environment benefits all pupils but is particularly valuable for pupils with special educational needs".

Mr Dougherty added: "We know you'll join us in supporting the implementation of the Pakefield 10 to help every child thrive."