Would you choose your child's teacher if you could?

[BonsoirAnna]

If your child were at a large school with several parallel classes, would you (school permitting) make a request for a particular teacher for your child, or would you leave it up to the school?

[BadgersArse]

I dont know how you would have the information to be able to judge which teacher is best tbh, unless you have been in the classroom.

[BadgersArse]

( or become a governor and only employ good ones?!)

[sassy]

More important for child to be in class with friends, imo; especially in infant years.

[BadgersArse]

yes, that is a good point too.

[FranSanDisco]

Assume this would mean child moves class or are you requesting for the whole class, in which case how do other parents views get taken into account. At dc's school rather made Grandmother threatened to take her gdc's out of school if either one got a particular teacher. This teacher taught ds this year and is fab. Her gds has this teacher from september and lots of mums are LOL. I reckon she'll try and get him a transfer to another class though .

[BonsoirAnna]

You would have the information from talking to other parents, with older children, of their experiences; and from observing the teachers in extra-curricular environments. Perhaps also from your child, who will have encountered the teachers at school.

[BonsoirAnna]

The classes are mixed up every year completely and totally, so no, it doesn't mean a child "moves class".

[FranSanDisco]

She is mad not made

[BadgersArse]

Yes, its a bit hearsay though isnt it.
Not the best way to judge, hearsay AND hindsight and subjective....

[ButterbeerAndLemon]

Probably only if I thought that there might be a major personality clash with one of the teachers but not another (having seen their teaching styles, etc.). But not otherwise.

[FranSanDisco]

Is it standard practice to make requests?

[BonsoirAnna]

Why is hearsay and hindsight and personal opinion not a good way to judge ?

[LynetteScavo]

If the school permitted it, yes I would indeed!

[BadgersArse]

I know what you mean. What i would do is give it a whirl.
ds had the person percived to be the best teacher in the gaff this year and wasnt 100% bowled over, they are strange creatures, kids.

[BonsoirAnna]

It's standard practice to make requests, and very clear requests are honoured as far as I can establish.

I am actually surprised that all parents don't bother, as then their children are disadvantaged versus the children whose parents bother to find out about the teachers and make requests based on personal affinity, teaching style etc.

[BadgersArse]

Does the school not have a kind of agreed teachign style or ethos throughout though? This is the case at ours where they are all very very similar

[LIZS]

Unless you have a very specific reason, no. If I'd realised what ds was going through in the equivalent of Reception I would have made a fuss to avoid a particular one but retrospect is a fine thing

[BonsoirAnna]

I made a written request, in no uncertain terms (no messing with BonsoirAnna when she wants something!) and DD got the teacher I (and she) wanted.

I am now somewhat with the parents who are whinging that their children haven't got the teacher they would have liked - and then admitting they didn't make a specific request!

[BonsoirAnna]

No, on the contrary, it is a very large school and there are teachers with very different styles - the point being that children can then be orientated by parents or the school towards the teacher that best meets their needs. But of course, if parents are not fighting their child's ground, they don't get first priority!

[LIZS]

Sounds like a recipe for chaos and unnecessary admin ! We use dot be able to nomiinate 3 friends of which they would try to keep pairs at least

[BadgersArse]

Thats odd to me - like a free market?!Hmm, cant advise then.

[LIZS]

Sounds like a recipe for chaos and unnecessary admin ! We used to be able to nominate 3 friends of which they would try to keep pairs at least.

[LIZS]

oops - first posting came up in it script !

[BonsoirAnna]

They have all-year meetings at the end of each year to do pupil allocation so it's no more chaotic and adminstrative if parents have stated a firm preference - in some way it makes the teachers' job a lot easier as it reduces the possibilities for each child.

[BadgersArse]

Is there an offical procedure fo rmaking requests or is it just " something that you know"