Detention

[foxgloves]

DS is hoping to go to Christ's Hospital or Eton on a scholarship, and has been putting in a real effort, however he has just got a detention for being over-enthusiastic in physics (his favourite subject).

Are they likely to ask about detentions when they ask the school for a reference?

[Guest55]

How can a teacher give a detention for being too enthusiastic?!

[foxgloves]

I think he got told off for explaining to another child something about the periodic table

[PurpleDuck]

Are they likely to ask about detentions when they ask the school for a reference?

I've been told that the format of references requested can vary from school to school. Assuming e.g. Eton might request information regarding detentions, I imagine they would also ask for details of the reason for such a detention, and 'over-enthusiastic / too chatty in class' does not sound like a very serious misbehaviour! They know what 10/11 year old boys are like and if your DS is very academic and scores highly in the exams, I don't think he will have any problems. If you're worried, though, you may want to tell him to keep a bit lower profile until the exams are over.

[kenyancowgirl]

I would very much doubt they would be that specific! Mainly because some schools are very free and easy handing out detentions so the reference could go on for pages! They are more likely to ask a general question about behaviour, so if he is generally well behaved but with tendencies to be over exuberant, they would say that.