Mum says school is like a 'prison' as son, 7, is kept in at break after failing to read three times at home

A mum has accused a primary school of being "like a prison" after her seven-year-old son was kept in at playtime because he hadn't read three times at home that week.

The Year Two pupil was said to be left "upset and confused" after being told he could not play out with his friends at Wolds Academy after teachers discovered he hadn't done enough reading at home.

The mum, who does not wish to be named said she believes the school, in Wold Road, west Hull, became too strict when it became an academy and part of the David Ross Education Trust (DRET).

The trust was set up by Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross, a multi-millionaire from Grimsby.

The mum said: "This school used to be a lovely, friendly, kind and caring school and children were happy there.

"Now it is an academy and has reached outstanding status it has turned into a prison.

"My son got kept in a playtime because he had not read more than three times at home in a week which is madness.

"I make a massive effort to read with my son and it's very rare that we don’t read, despite me working full time and having a house to run and another child, we still manage to complete all homework, spellings and reading every week.

"They don’t know what’s going on at home, I was really poorly last month, there’s a lot of single parents out there too. If they took a few minutes to ring that parent and ask him why they’ve not read that would be better.

'He needs a playtime'

"A boy of seven needs a playtime especially my son who is already a very anxious child and severely lacks in confidence at school."

The mum said she raised her concerns with the school, but was simply told it is part of the DRET policy which the school follows.

She added: "This is not the first time he has been kept in at playtime - not because he is naughty but because he hasn’t finished his work.

"On one occasion this is because he was being a perfectionist and wanted to do a good job on his self portrait, it took him a long while to complete it and they kept him in as a detention at playtime.

"This resulted in his confidence lacking further and he came home I tears. I do not agree with this happening."

The mum-of-two says it's not only the reading policy which concerns her.

She said: "In winter they are not allowed to walk into the school with their hats, scarf and gloves on, they have to take it all off before they go through the door - it's disgusting really.

"I have strongly considered moving my children. I worry for them, I don’t want them to be kept in at playtime.

"I can’t express my anger and disappointment in the school. They are scaring my son into learning.

"I just wanted to make people aware that some techniques the schools are using are shattering children.

"I really hope my son is able to get through primary school without thinking he is “useless” like what the schools seem to be enforcing."

What the school says

The school is keen to stress that keeping a child in at break time is not a "punishment", but says it is designed to give children extra support.

It says it is an opportunity for the child to read with a teacher, if reading was missed at home.

The school says there is a focus on reading across the trust and believes it is paramount children read at home. They say if reading is missed at home, children are expected to read to a teacher.

Janine Carn, principal at Wold Academy, said: “We believe that reading at home is vital and we encourage all of our pupils to read at least three times a week at home. This week, one of our pupils was unable to complete their reading at home and was given the opportunity to read to one of our teachers during break-time.

"Reading is crucial for all children’s learning and is at the heart of our school.”

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