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Stepdad says school room 'like a jail cell'


Ridgewood defends isolation room used for punishment

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Published Date:
16 October 2008
A SCHOOL has defended its use of an isolation room likened to a prisoner of war cell to punish pupils.
Angry Andrew Widdowson described the black-walled "cell" where his 11-year-old stepson was to serve a one-day detention as like something from Guantanamo Bay, the controversial American camp.

Ridgewood School says the room - an artist's impression of which appeared in a national newspaper - has been in operation for four years and has been approved by Ofsted.

However, the Scawsby school refused to allow the Free Press in to photograph the actual room.

Vending engineer Mr Widdowson, 30, was furious after he inspected the room following notification of Kieran's detention for a prank involving letting down a boy's bike tyres.

He described the room as having black walls, blackened blinds and partitions.

He told the Free Press: "I immediately said that the room was inhumane and a complete aberration and that prisoners of war could not be held like that.

"The room was entirely black. It is deliberately intimidating. It's designed to cause stress without being progressive, or teaching them something. I wouldn't even call it punishment; I would call it bullying.

"Kieran has just moved up from junior school, he has got involved in something that I would call high jinks and the punishment dealt out to them is extreme.

"I suppose we would call the room an urban myth but it's very much held over them by the school."

Mr Widdowson, of Cusworth, has kept Kieran at home where he has been taught by a teacher relative since last Thursday.

A statement issued by the school said that Kieran was welcome to return after he'd served his punishment in the isolation room "in line with the behaviour policy for all pupils".

The statement added: "This facility has been in use for over four years and accomodates a handful of pupils each week, overwhelmingly for no more than one day and some for less than this.

"It was fully functional during the 2006 Ofsted inspection when the school's behaviour policies and practices were significantly validated and approved as a positive feature of the school's overall success."

Most Doncaster secondary schools have isolation units where misbehaving pupils are sent to continue their education rather than excluding them from school and sending them home.

Ridgewood School is one of the most popular secondary schools in the borough regularly at the top of GCSE league tables.


The full article contains 414 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 16 October 2008 4:06 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Doncaster
 
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16/10/2008 18:38:17
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
2

Viking2,

Norway 16/10/2008 19:14:11
The most shocking aspect of this is not the room itself; it is how many of my countrymen don't see it is wrong (ethically). You have foreign schools with whom you have exchanges. Are these aware of this bizarre method of punishment? As an ex-Pat I can tell you that you will meet almost unanimous disbelief and condemnation if you were to tell people over here about putting pupils into punishment cells. It is outrageous, and in reply to the Ridgewood Mum, two wrongs do not make a right!
3

prospective ridgewood parent,

Doncaster 16/10/2008 20:05:31
I would also like to add my support for the school and say how ridiculous the comments by Mr Widdowson are. I feel he should be thanking the school for showing such initiative in finding a deterrent that actually has an impact. Also if it was my child that had committed an act of vandalism they would also be getting a punished at home as well as school, not be mollycoddled and treated as a victim. I think this must sent out all the wrong signals to the boy concearned. In conclusion I am proud of Ridgewood's achievement as one of the best schools in the area and I am reasured that when my own children go there in a few years that they are working hard to promote good behavour and punish bad. I just hope that this media portrayal dosn't give rise to any change in policy. Well done Ridgewood keep up the good work.
4

Ridgewood Mum,

Doncaster 17/10/2008 05:26:33
"...two wrongs do not make a right!"

Viking 2, the boy in the article vandalised another student's bicycle. What would YOU consider a suitable punishment?
5

The Headmaster should resign,

Doncaster 17/10/2008 10:17:04
Do people in Doncaster believe it is right and proper for schools to deliberately bully their pupils?

The question here is not to do with the incident itself - rather the school and its illegal methods of punishment.

The room is a clear infringement upon the rights of any member of society - it would not be allowed in the workplace, in prisons, or for legitimate prisoners of war.

The Headmaster should show his cowardly face and publicly resign.

Any parent who is happy to have their son or daughter treated in this way should report themselves to social services for Child Abuse.

As for Mr Widdowson I applaud him for having the guts to stand up to a school who believes they are above the law, and a section of society whom our children would be better without.

Finally to Ridgewood parent/prospective/Ex - I suggest you read and listen to all the media coverage before you comment so stupidly. The child concerned has been punished but clearly you people are more concerned with vengence than fact. I hope you people grow up one day.
6

Goodness me,

17/10/2008 13:34:40
I fully support Ridgewood School and their method of teaching a child that there are consequences to actions.
Regarding a comment made about the isolation room infringing the right of a member of society, for goodness sake it’s only a room where they sit and are made to get on with their work alone and hopefully reflect on their actions and how they affect other pupils. The other children in the school have a right to be able to feel that they and their belongings are safe at school.

The schools methods are perfectly lawful and hopefully one irresponsible parent will not affect the school’s policy which is obviously supported by the other parents.
If I can offer one suggestion, perhaps Mr. Widdowson should enrol his son in another school without such discipline and this would enable another child whose parents want their child to be well educated and respectful to take his place.

Re comment no; 6. Media coverage doesn’t always give all the FACTS so please don’t call someone’s comments stupid just because you think that by reading and listening to the media coverage gives you all the facts !
I think Mr. Widdowson’s public show is doing more harm than good for this child.
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17/10/2008 14:57:31
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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18/10/2008 11:44:31
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
9

yorskshireman,

pathetic parents 18/10/2008 21:11:00
parents like this make me sick - always the same refrain - my little darling would never do such a thing - oh how can you do this to my little angle. most of us would like to see the cane brought back never mind buggering about putting them in little rooms (no matter how they are decorated!)
10

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19/10/2008 10:03:50
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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