American custom launched in local schools

Picture from the Guardian

Year 7 students at Barnfield Academies West and South in Luton have been pledging to be good students at the start of each day.

The new phenomenon, reminiscent of a scene from a Hollywood movie, sees children stating a pledge, not of allegiance to the Queen, but to themselves and each other.

The pledge states: ‘I pledge to treat everyone with respect all the time, I pledge to work to the best of my ability, I pledge to attend all of my lessons on time and make sure that I am fully prepared, in this way I will be the best I can possibly be.’

The plan is for this to eventually be the custom for the entire school, as each year that leaves is replaced with a new intake, that will start the pledge from day one.

A Barnfield spokesperson said: “It has always been the case in all academies that we focus on traditional values in a modern context and we try to instill in our children the importance of enjoying school and achievement, but with respect for all.”