friend just accepted a job at DD's school

[Footscrub]

While I am pleased for her as she's worked hard for this career change, I am also a bit awkward about it.

I've spoken to the headmistress recently about personal issues within our family which I really wouldn't want my friend to know about. She's a friend - but not close friend - and also lives five doors away from me which just compounds the problem I think.

Just very awkward.

Should I look for a new school for my DD ?

Or am I just being ridiculous?

[didldidi]

depends what type of job it is and if she would access to this information?

[Ruprekt]

Anything you have said to the HT is confidential and she will not repeat it to anyone.

The chances of your DD coming into much contact with your friend is minimal unless she is her TA.

Go in and speak to the HT about it. Tell her what you have told us and I am sure she will reassure you and maybe put friend at other end of school.

No need to move DD and your friend will be bound by professional conduct and not allowed to discuss school matters.

Try not to worry.

[ThingummyBob]

I think you are probably over reacting.

Would you feel the same way if someone you knew got a job at your GPs surgery?

Is there a particular reason why you are uncomfotable with this person working at the school or would you be just as uncomfortable with anyone you knew going to work there?

Moving schools is a big deal for most kids, think rationally here and ask yourself what would happen if this person got to know about things you have discussed with the head? Obviously, you can ask the head not to discuss with this person.

[alanyoung]

Anyone working with children/young people/families etc should have it made clear to them at interview or soon after that anything they discover in the course of their job is to remain confidential. As said before, there is probably not much to worry about, but make it clear to the Head what the situation is and go straight away to see her again if you suspect something untoward is going on.

[Spinaroo]

Well, your friend may be party to the information if she teaches your child but I agree she is bound by professional conduct. My close friend taught in my kids' school for a while and she was more worried about what the kids said about her!

[pointythings]

I have a friend working at DD2's primary and it has never been a problem - we are both able to separate the personal from the professional, and I would expect your friend to do the same.

[socareless]

In an ideal world OP everything that has been said by others would be absolutely true re teachers are bound by professional conduct, data protection ....

However I have known professionals tell me things 'off the record', 'between these 4 walls', 'not trying to be funny but...'.

So if I were you I would do as Rupretk said and tell HT what you've told us.

[alanyoung]

This is slightly off the subject, I know, but once I taught my own children for a while when they were in high school. The problem was how they should address me in front of the other youngsters. My daughter just called me 'dad' and that was that, and my son never really called me anything. He certainly didn't want to call me 'sir', which was good as I hated being called that!