A secondary school in Barnet is facing backlash from parents over its “silent corridors” policy which some have compared to life in “prison”.
St Mary’s and St John’s CE school (SMSJ) in Hendon has become the latest school to adopt the policy for all students from Year 7 to 11.
Parents claim the “authoritarian” measures, where pupils are required to remain silent while moving between lessons or campuses, were imposed with “no prior engagement”. They also raised concerns that enforced silence could negatively impact students’ academic performance and mental health.
But the school has defended its stance, saying the policy has ensured “disruption-free learning” and given students more social time by making movement around the school more efficient.
According to the SMSJ website, the policy applies to both corridors and changing rooms.
Several London-based schools have already implemented the policy in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour that can arise during the transition between lessons. Schools have put the policy in place to allow students to arrive to their next lesson in a calm and orderly manner.
Notable examples include Michaela Community School in Wembley, led by Katharine Birbalsingh — Britain’s strictest headmistress — and City of London Academy Highgate Hill in Archway.
Some parents of SMSJ pupils have hit out at the new policy, describing it as “oppressive” and “unrealistic”, claiming it does not prepare students for life in the real world.
A few parents have even likened the policy to one you would find in a “prison” or a “military” bootcamp.
A petition has been launched urging the school to repeal the policy and to move towards a “more supportive and effective learning environment”.
Petition starter Bronwell Boumendil, whose sons attend SMSJ, said: “I am deeply concerned about the recent implementation of the silent corridors policy and whistle-based commands.
“My eldest son is entering Year 11 and changing schools is not an option for us. Had we known such authoritarian measures would surface, we would have reconsidered our choice of school.
“Education should foster communication, critical thinking, and a love for learning, but how can students nurture these qualities in an environment that suppresses their voice and severely limits their opportunities to engage with each other?
“The silent corridors initiative restricts students' ability to engage with their peers, share ideas, and build essential social skills.
“Schools should be places where students feel safe and welcome to express themselves, engage openly in dialogue, and learn respect through understanding rather than submission.”
At the time of publication, the petition had been signed by 320 people.
One person said: “Literally an artificial prison. This school is trying to make their student's behaviour look smart to others however it's only teaching us how to behave behind bars.”
“Are you running a school or a prison?,” another asked.
“The measure of completely silent halls sounds like a prison rule. A hall monitor to record unreasonable behavior with with appropriate discipline would be less draconian.”
Secondary Co-Headteachers at St Mary’s and St John’s CE School said: “The decision to bring in silent corridors is one we have thought long and hard about, and is rooted in our commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful, and focused school culture where every student can thrive.
“It is an initiative that was introduced into our Middle School (Years 7 and 8) last year, and the positive feedback we have had from the community has encouraged us to look at adopting a similar approach for older students too.
“The policy asks students not to talk to each other between lessons — a total of around eight minutes each day.
“This supports smoother transitions during split breaks and lunches and ensures disruption-free learning by helping students arrive promptly and calmly to lessons.
“From our experience, it has increased students’ social time as movement around the school is much more efficient.”
