Primary School

The Primary Days: Playground politics

By Elsie Button, May 24, 2012

Even at the age of 37 years old, the school playground reduces me to a paranoid wreck - in true schoolgirl-esque style I have thoughts such as "why won't that mum talk to me" and "I wish I had shoes like hers".

Why I hate making packed lunches

By Jo Middleton, May 9, 2012

"So how did you get on with your lunch today?" I ask my nine year old daughter Belle as we walk home from school. She looks shifty.

The Primary Days: What do you do all day?

By Elsie Button, May 8, 2012

I am still coming to terms with the fact that I no longer have control over when I see my child. This time last year I was allowed to see Betty during every waking hour if I wanted to.

Homework howlers: Our children's embarrassing and exaggerated home life revelations

By Linda Aitchison, May 7, 2012

It's years since my daughter wrote in a school essay that she hates it when I smack her, but the memory still haunts me.

Why private schools are better than state

By parentdish.co.uk, May 4, 2012

Recently we ran an article entitled Why private schooling isn't worth the money. The response was huge, heated - and divided. Here, we present the other side of the debate on private schools v state schools by a parent, who's also a teacher.

The Parentdish guide to primary school SATs

By Liat Hughes Joshi, May 2, 2012

If you've got a child in year 2 or year 6, you could well be hearing mutterings about SATs (Statutory Assessment Tests) at the school gate in the coming days. Here's our guide.

The Primary Days: Flashing farce (Our brand new column)

By Elsie Button, Apr 20, 2012

A couple of days into my daughter’s third term at primary school, I was taken aside by her teacher during drop-off. "Can I have a quick word with you please?" she said gently.

Martyr mum, ostrich mum, master delegator mum? The PTA mums it's best to avoid

By Donna White, Apr 16, 2012

Committee mum is the one you avoid eye contact with at the school gates, always asking for raffle donations, tombola prizes, and – perish the thought – volunteers.

Should children challenge the rules?

By Jo Middleton, Apr 15, 2012

I have to confess to a slightly cavalier attitude towards rules. While I appreciate that it is my job as a parent to ensure my children grow up to be respectful, law-abiding citizens, at the same time I do encourage them to challenge authority.

The trouble with maths

By Glynis Kozma, Mar 22, 2012

Maths. How does that word make you feel? Do you squirm when you remember how you struggled with simultaneous equations at school, do you reach for the calculator the moment you have to find a percentage, and does your child’s maths homework leave you feeling totally inadequate? If so, you are not alone.

Why would teachers want to ban best friends in schools?

By Liat Hughes Joshi, Mar 19, 2012

I still remember my best friend from primary school with fondness some 30 years on. We lived in each others' pockets, we shared secrets, we giggled, we talked about what sort of pony we'd get in the totally implausible event our parents would let us have one.

ADHD diagnosis is higher in December babies, study claims

By Kelly Rose Bradford, Mar 6, 2012

A Canadian study has found that December babies are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than the rest of their classmates.