Mumsnet Talk

It's a disgrace <<shakes head>>

On topic though, I signed 2 planners for the last 2 weeks this morning and suggested DS1 learn to forge his father's signature (it's easy).

Oh sleep deprived x posts! Not Moleskine, how could they...crikey.

I know. You'd think there was something more urgent to talk about wouldn't you.

DSs planner is a horrid cheap thing with a saffron coloured cover. TBH, I expected at least a Moleskine from the fees we're paying

Rooney - meet you in the stationery cupboard

(Did you notice that not a buggers one replied to my very important question??)

TBH I think that saying it is the child's responsibility is in mnay circumstances unfair.

Ok this was an accident. But not all parents are consciencious and some just don't care and some may even just refuse because they are gits! And the child recveives the punishment......

It is my opinion ( and I am allowed to have it) that there are still lots of teachers around who enjoy the power imbalance of child/teacher and I have a wee problem with that.

I am also aware there are lots of really great teachers too, but that doesn't help the kids stuch with not only crap parents but power hungry teachers to boot!

Rant over

You didn't come on here to discuss his SN, yet mention it a couple of times with the tone that this should excuse him, so don't be too harsh on Arisbottle!
Incidentally, it appears the school is trying to support his dis-organisation by following procedures and repetitive consequences rather than just ignoring it and letting him off the detention because of his statement, with the possibility it might get worse.

Bit in love with Chipping, here

So the point of parent signing is to make a statement that to the best of their knowledge homework has been completed?

In your planners, are detention plans recorded in the previous week or elsewhere, are parents expected to check different pages of the planner?

Why is none of this ever explained to parents?

Two of the local secondaries has parental logins, with info on them like homework & debits. I think I would find that more accessible (DS planner is away at school with him half the time). Sadly, DS school lacks parent login accounts.

I care deeply about my DCs education - that's why I buy them books at Christmas, encourage their academic interests, ask them if they've homework to do, discourage too much screen-nonsense - but I'm not prepared to sit over them doing homework in the evening.
My DCs' excellent (state) schools don't require planners to be signed.
Most of the posts on this thread give the impression that signing planners and checking they've been signed is a largely meaningless activity.

Ah ha! Completion of homework, not setting of homework? So we should be signing it for a week or so previously, not up to date? (Head explodes...)

Mainly it's to double check homework has been completed. We use the planners as our first port of communication home so success stickers and sanction marks are asked to be acknowledged, detentions are recorded in the planners so parents can be informed. Also there are various things that need signing for PSHE, Science etc

It's not just for recording homework, it's a communication tool

Please, SuffolkNWhat: What does it mean to YOU for a parent to sign a planner? I've never been told (apologies if answer is buried somewhere in this long thread).

Gave out my first detention for this yesterday (Year 8 form) but in this instance the planner had NEVER been signed since the first week in September.

I was another who forged Dad's signature when my planner wasn't signed. His was easier!

Please explain your comment, it would be most helpful.

What are you on about?

Who's charming??

Are they nice planners?

stationery addict

DS1 told me I had to sign his planner as he was leaving (late) for the bus this morning. I refused as there was no time and he told me it would be my fault he got a detention. I simply pointed out that it was his fault he hadn't asked me at any point in the last 24 hours or so. [shrug] charming!!!!

Tutors get bollocked by heads of year if they don't monitor planners and signatures at my school, so the shit filters down.

DS1 told me I had to sign his planner as he was leaving (late) for the bus this morning. I refused as there was no time and he told me it would be my fault he got a detention. I simply pointed out that it was his fault he hadn't asked me at any point in the last 24 hours or so. [shrug]

Or you could just sign it?

Checking planners doesn't need to take long! My DCs school has 1/2 hour form time each day (at 1:30), some of these (1-2) are used for assemblies. 1-2 are normally "reading", the other one the teacher goes around and they have planners on desk, it takes no more than 5 minutes to check everyones planner (I have done it as a student at another school).
If you are very strict at the beginning of the year, they know you will turn to detention page and write in warning or detention.
At all schools I know planners are diaries given to students at the beginning of the year, and they are supposed to betaken to all lessons, and detentions will be given if not done so.

Students do much better if parents are involved. Yes some parents couldn't give a damn, but that isn't an excuse for schools not to try.

Also most detentions at DCs school are given at Lunchtime, often in the Hall with SLT on duty, sometimes in a central space for specific subjects.

But maybe this is why DCs school is one of the highest performing Comprehensives in the country?

at Lancelottie
This sort of approach by schools drives me crackers! What is it with schools these days? As if the curriculum isn't overloaded already and paperwork isn't excessive best require teachers to check that a form has been signed by parents every week.
I know this will make me sound like an old gimmer.....
But to continue this rant anyway - I did well at school despite no parental input. And like my parents I consider that I support the school by doing my utmost to have the DCs there on time, behave themselves when they're there and foster an attitude that values EDUCATION.
The older teachers I know don't approve of asking parents to sign homework planners and suchlike nonsense as they know that some parents just won't and they'd rather their pupils spent their evenings doing scouts/brownies/swimming/reading for pleasure/practising an instrument/baking etc than spending ages doing ridiculous projects.
Schools are not gods - they're institutions which are meant to provide an education for six hours a day five days a week. After that they can buzz off with their endless planners, projects, dressing-up, £4000 trips to latin america etc.

Great thread - YADNBU