School bans hand-raising School bans hand-raising, Students in at least one English school have been ordered not to raise their hands to answer questions. Some parents have reacted to the change that teachers came up with in a brain-storming session.A school in England has banned students from raising their hands in class. Instead, they’re being asked to use a thumbs-up sign to answer questions or to get the teacher’s attention. According to school officials, it’s less disruptive and will promote a “calmer and more inclusive” atmosphere in the classroom. It’s something straight out of a Saturday Night Live parody except this is the real deal. And, I must say, it is highly amusing. The thumbs-up symbol – think The Fonz in Happy Days – was introduced at the start of the school year following a staff brainstorm session at Burlington Junior School in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, reports the Mail Online. So far, students aged seven to 11 have been asked to use the thumbs-up sign, but ...