A school in Wales, where staff members previously went on strike due to physical and verbal abuse from pupils, has recently implemented Saturday detentions as a disciplinary measure. The headteacher of Caldicot School, Alun Ebenezer, shared that the decision to introduce weekend detentions was made after other disciplinary methods failed to address issues with student behaviour effectively. Furthermore, the school has introduced innovative disciplinary tactics such as having parents sit in class with their children and organizing supervised litter-picking sessions for misbehaving pupils.
This week, six students are set to attend a two-hour Saturday detention as a consequence of their behaviour. Alun Ebenezer has gained a reputation as one of the strictest disciplinarians in British secondary education, having made headlines in the past for his firm disciplinary actions. Notably, in September 2022, he removed 50 students from class for not wearing the proper uniform, and in June of the following year, he prohibited around 200 girls from attending class due to short skirts, as reported by the Daily Express.
In a recent letter to parents, Mr. Ebenezer addressed concerns about the impact of Saturday detentions on students’ well-being. He emphasised the necessity of such measures to tackle misbehaviour effectively. The headteacher stated that while some may view Saturday detentions as restrictive, the ultimate goal is to ensure that young people understand the importance of following rules and behaving appropriately. He stressed that allowing misbehaviour to go unchecked is detrimental to the well-being of both students and the school community.
Pupils at Caldicot School can receive a detention if they accumulate marks for bad behaviour, and Saturday detentions are reserved for cases where other sanctions have proven ineffective. Despite having approximately 1,300 students, only a small number were required to attend detentions, indicating that the majority of pupils are adhering to the school’s regulations. The decision to introduce Saturday detentions was communicated to parents through a letter and discussed in school assemblies to ensure transparency and understanding among the school community.
In 2023, the school faced challenges as staff members staged strikes due to the mistreatment they experienced from students. However, following the appointment of Mr. Ebenezer, improvements in staff morale and pupil behaviour were noted by Estyn, the education inspectorate. The report highlighted the need for significant enhancements at Caldicot School. Despite the initial resistance to the strict disciplinary measures, the positive impact on the school environment and student conduct is beginning to emerge, as evidenced by improved staff morale and student behaviour.
As the educational landscape continues to evolve, the implementation of disciplinary measures like Saturday detentions reflects the dedication of school leaders to uphold standards of behaviour and discipline. By addressing misconduct proactively and consistently, institutions like Caldicot School aim to create a conducive learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially. The commitment to instilling values of respect and accountability among students underscores the importance of maintaining a positive and disciplined school culture.