In Monmouthshire, a local school has introduced a new disciplinary measure by implementing two-hour Saturday morning detentions for its 1,300 pupils. The move, which will occur once per half-term, aims to address ongoing behavior issues and reduce the need for suspensions. The measure follows a history of challenges with student conduct that prompted staff strikes in response to verbal and physical abuse earlier this year.
The school's decision to implement Saturday detentions comes after discussions in school assemblies and notifications sent to parents outlining the new policy. Although the school had included Saturday detention in its behavior policy since September, it had not deemed it necessary until now. Six pupils have been scheduled to attend the inaugural Saturday session, marking the first use of this disciplinary action aimed at improving student behavior.
The school hopes that this additional measure will be more effective than previous punishments, such as after-school detentions, which failed to yield the desired results. Schools are legally entitled to hold Saturday detentions, provided they do not occur immediately before or after half-term holidays.
Mr. Ebenezer, who recently joined the school as acting head teacher, has been instrumental in initiating this new approach to discipline. Under his leadership, the school has witnessed an improvement in both staff morale and student behavior. However, Mr. Ebenezer acknowledges the challenges involved in implementing such measures.
"I have to travel nearly an hour to get here on Saturday and I don't want to be there," said Mr. Ebenezer.
Despite the inconvenience, Mr. Ebenezer remains committed to fostering a more positive environment within the school.
"Everybody I talk to wants young people to behave and that doesn't just happen, you have to put things in place, but all we seem to get is a backlash," he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline for the well-being of all involved.
"I would argue it's not good for anybody's wellbeing to have young people misbehaving and defiant," he remarked.
