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Pupils stage study leave protest
15/ 5/2008
DOZENS of pupils upset after they were denied study leave staged a sit-down protest in the middle of the school field.
Youngsters at Two Trees School in Denton claimed they had been promised time off to prepare for their GCSEs.
But when it emerged they had to stay in class, a hardcore of year 11 students led a mini-mutiny and refused to go to lessons.
Chanting ‘we shall not be moved’, more than 40 gathered on the grass on Thursday morning, ignoring orders from teachers to go inside.
Callan Fletcher, 16, of Yew Tree estate, Denton, said: “At the beginning of the year staff told us we would have study leave before the exams. Everyone else has had it previously.
“Now we’ve been told our timetable will continue as normal right through the exams. It’s ridiculous.
“So I may have an English exam in the afternoon, but a maths lesson right before it. I’d prefer to revise at home instead.”
Rachel Moores, 15, of Ashton, added: “There’s too many distractions from disruptive pupils in class. We should have the choice.”
Pupils whipped up a storm of protest in a flurry of emails and texts, before agreeing to ‘go on strike’.
Callan added: “We handed a petition in containing 200 names and asked for a meeting with the headteacher in person but our requests were ignored. It left us with no option.”
A handful of parents joined the teenage protestors to show support.
Elaine Healey, 36, of Audenshaw, said: “I’m with the kids on this. These are important exams and they should have the choice.
“They’ve not been aggressive or violent and have protested peacefully the right way.”
Nick Condliffe, headteacher, denied pupils had been given study leave last year, insisting the practice had stopped.
He said: “A directive from the local authority and the government says study leave should be avoided at all costs. Our arrangements for Year 11 pupils follow those guidelines as are most other schools in Tameside. In fact we have not given study leave here for four years.
“Research shows if they stay in school and study a normal timetable they do better in their GCSEs.
“We have 160 children in Year 11 and the vast majority are taking lessons as normal.
“However, a handful wanted to protest outside. We will be contacting parents before deciding what to do next.”
Most recent 2 of 11 user comments
When they start working are they going to want days off then because its too hot to work?
16/05/2008 at 15:58
Got an opinion you want to share?Do you support council workers who have gone on strike over a below-inflation pay offer?
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