Student Asks School For More Homework, Gets Suspended

Student Aaron Parfitt of Bispham High School in Blackpool, UK, was suspended by school authorities last week after complaining that he and his classmates weren’t given enough homework by their teachers.

Parfitt, who realized that he and his classmates were lagging behind with their academics, sent a message to the local council and education board, encouraging them to urge his school to give them more homework. When his requests fell on deaf ears, he decided to bring his plea to the streets together with 100 students who stood behind him in support.

The group of students, led by Parfitt, protested the “failing standards” of the school and asked school administrators to give them more homework.

When asked why the studious student led the protest, Parfitt told Metro that he got “fed up” with the mediocre standards of his school.

Parfitt added that the student protest was “completely spontaneous.”

However, teachers of Bispham weren’t very excited about the 14-year-old student’s eagerness to learn. As punishment for leading the student demonstration, Parfitt was given a three-day suspension by the administrators of the school.

The student’s mother, Janet, said that she was infuriated by the decision. She said:

“He was sticking up for himself and his mates and he gets told to stay away from the school”.

Students and classmates were surprisingly supportive of Aaron’s acts. Parfitt said that students from his school began sending him encouraging and approving text messages shortly after the student-led protest.

Last year, Bispham High School was reprimanded by the Ofsted education board for exposing students to “mediocre teaching” and “low standards.”

However, just last September, representatives from the board said that the school was making “reasonable progress.”

Bispham’s head teacher, Deborah Hanlon-Catlow told the Blackpool Gazette that although the school is going through a “challenging time.” they are continuously working with students, parents and stakeholders so they can jump back on track.

Schools suspending students for seemingly good deeds are not very uncommon.

Just last month, high school student Christian Tumax of Rudder High School in Austin, Texas was suspended by school authorities after he defended a special needs student from bullies. Last year, a Florida high school student was suspended by school officials after he wrestled and disarmed a gunman who entered his school, effectively preventing a potential school shooting.

Parfitt was admitted back Monday after the student promised the administrators of Bispham High School that he will no longer conduct any student protest regarding the lack of homework.

Did the student deserve the school suspension?

[Image from Blackpool Gazette]