The day the school lost my child ...

You think that school is the safest place for your child, it should be, shouldn't it after all they are there from 8.45 till 3.30 and often longer if they go to before and after school clubs. There is an incident that happened to me when my son was in Year 3 so he was just 7 years old.

He was meant to be going to an after school football club when my son came to get changed he asked his teacher where he should get changed. The teacher who was nearing retirement just said quite blankly to my son that the football wasn't on.

The teacher didn't even check to see if this club was on.

So my son like most seven year olds in this situation accepted what his teacher told them.

Now I had this point was at home unaware of the situation.

What transpired next was my son was thinking I would collect him. But I thought he would be at football club as they say "Never the twain shall meet"

My son came out of school and I was wasn't there to meet him.


Next thing I knew was I got a telephone call not from the school but from one of his friends grandma who had decided on seeing him alone to take him back to her house!

Now in retrospect I should have complained to the governors about the incident , how someone else was  able to take my child home.

The difference is at Junior school that no one is required to pick them up.

Nut surely there must be some sort of law on legislation on this ?

After all at Infant School they cannot go home unless a parent picks them up ..

What would you do if school lost your child ?

Enlightenment.. Friends till the end

Its very rare in life you get an opportunity in life that you just keep wanting to share and share because of so many factors that alone is another blog post!

But for me getting invited to go to the Opening Ceremony of the Parlalympics was a life changing event. I am shy by design it may not seem in but I am , as I am not a natural collector of friends for me they have to be the right fit for us to gel. A good friend is understanding, engages natural conservation and you can pick up where you just left off be, if you have been friends for years or just met them on twitter like I did with Jane Willis who blogs over at http://competitiongrapevine.blogspot.co.uk/

So when I was invited to go the the Opening ceremony of the Paralympics I jumped at the chance. ( don't tell Jane but I still haven't taken my Paralympic nail varnish off yet , I must do that before my first aid session at school tomorrow !)

The Paralympics faced an emotional homecoming. The original 1948 the Stoke Mandeville games had been the creation of Sir Ludwig Guttmann who has been a scientist during the Second World War he was an extraordinary scientist. He had a ground breaking technique to treating people with spinal cord injuries. He showed us that science and humanity can come together. In doing so he ignited the global phenomenon that has become the Paralympic Movement. And myself and Jane Willis were very proud and honured to be made part of the journey.

Brolly Good time Paralympics

Reception children psychology...

So this week I go down to being a TA in a Reception class.

I am not weeping into my cornflakes .... yet.


How do I think its going to go ?

Well I think its not a case of being stoic and all Rose from the Titantic ....


Will I be scared of the Reception children ?

Will unless they represent evil Gremlins then no ... they do go home at the end of the day right ?


How do I approach the "I miss my Mummy" Oscar film winning situation?

Well practicality rules for me as most children starting school will appreciate a straight answer. Which for myself usually goes like this..

Blubbering child "I miss my mummy"...... exhibiting signs of Greta Garbo "I vant to be alone"


Me" Who do you live with?"

The child slowly calming down (mostly)

"Mummy, Daddy .. various brother , sisters , pets, imaginary friends and Justin from Cbeebies"


Myself "So you are going to see them at the end of the day"

A small child has no real concept of time the phrase "Are we nearly there yet is tantamount to this"

So as the said small child continues to muse this situation and rather like a deer trapped in headlights.

I finish with the phrase.

"So Mummy (etc) will be proud of you for being a big boy (girl) when you get home"

They usually accept this situation and topped off with a sticker they are your friend for life.

Reverse psychology works mostly....

Reception child.

Silent Sunday 2/9/2012 Paralympics