If I put my child at the table and made him face the wall for 7 hours I’d have children’s services at my door

There’s a 24-year age gap between my oldest and youngest child, and I have seen a massive difference in the way my eldest was educated compared to the horrendous way my youngest is.

My youngest came out of junior school so excited for the new journey of high school. He absolutely loved school. He was well-behaved and loved by everyone.  

Within weeks he was put into full days of isolation with an extra hour added at the end of the day for good measure. He was given no work to do, just one crossword from 8.45 until 3.30. 

He wasn’t allowed to rest his head on his hand and was made to look one way only. On one occasion he did rest his head on his hand, five minutes before the end of the day and they ‘failed’ him for it, so he was made to do the isolation again the following day. 

It’s cruel and tantamount to abuse. If I put my child at the dining table and made him face the wall for a full seven hours with nothing to do, not allowing him to look around or speak or move, I would have children’s services at my door. 

It has been a truly horrendous experience. I have so many awful stories about my son and his school. He can’t cope with it anymore.  He now goes from zero to 100 in a split second. They press the buttons with him and he shouts and swears at them and at us at home. I truly believe they have done that to him. 

We decided two weeks ago not to send him to school, to give him a break for his own mental health. He’s like a different kid. So much happier and pleasant to be around. They push and push for attendance because ‘attendance matters’. But my child spent nearly 60 days in isolation last year with not one bit of education.  Attendance matters not education.  

I know my child is one of many children experiencing this on a daily basis.  I’m now facing a fine for taking him out for him to reset and have a break from this barbarian school that’s really and I mean really worse than a prison.  

Mother, North East