My child hates school

[chezza]

My 9 year old son absolutely hates school. (as I did when I was a child, I left school with no qualifications and now have a masters degree). He is extremely intelligent and friendly, and he loves sport. What can I do to encourage him at school, or should I change schools or investigate alternative education methods?

[Lindy Loo]

Has he always been like this or is it a recent thing? Before you start thinking about changing schools try and find out why he hates school so much first. It could be he's being bullied, or perhaps he finds some of the work tough. Have a with his teacher(s) and see if they know anything and generally how he is getting on. Do they have any concerns? I terrible trouble with my son hating school, then I found he was being bullied because he was dyslexic and couldn't keep up with the other kids. He got there in the end though, and now his on a contruction and building course at college! Please don't think for a minute I'm suggesting that this the problem, I'm just trying to give an example of what can cause 'school phobia'. Hope you get it sorted

[FP]

Lindy, where is your son at College? I am interested because I work at such an establishment.

[FP]

Chezza, personally I don't think that school suits everybody. I hated it and so did my son. I just hated all the regimentation and team spirit stuff. I don't think schools suit boys as much as girls. A lot of boys just don't see the point of it all. Girls seem to be more eager to please and get good grades. Most boys just don't give a damn! However, I think boys start to come into their own when they leave the school system and go to college or start training when they can see the reason for learning. Having worked in schools (not as a teacher) I can say from experience that a great deal of teachers just don't know how to handle boys and are much happier teaching girls. Girls are now outshining boys in schools and I can understand why. It's got nothing to do with intelligence!

[SmarterThanU]

Maybe he has attention deficit disorder? My wife and I have put our child on large doses of Ritalin and it seems to help, altho he gnaws on the linoleum flooring sometimes.

[Lindy Loo]

Hi Fakeplastic, well, how do I word this without getting edited??!! Is this any good? It is a college of further and higher education in Bromley!! Heaven help us if you are one of his tutors....I hear all sorts of things about them!!!

[FP]

Lindy, I wouldn't have expected you to have given any more info away. No I work elsewhere and without saying where, it is in Eastern England and one of the countries largest construction colleges and I am not a tutor!!

[xxlizziexx]

i hate school so much, and i no a few people that are so bad at school beacuse they hate it. personaly i would try adn talk to him about it, ask him why he hates it. the people? the teachers? and get him involed in sport at school dont let him lose it. ask him what clubs there are and get him to join in. they might help him want to stay at school and not hate it so much. hope this helps and goes well xx

[dirtyharriet]

Does he really hate it so much it's affecting his education or just not like it that much? It's important to find out what aspect of school he hates. Is it the other kids, the teacher/s or lessons?

[the biker]

 i was the same,school was hell for me and i left with no qualifications but i have a good job and i am very happy with my life,he will be ok,all the best to your son