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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a hard boundary should be drawn with teachers?

106 replies

ForCandidSheep · 28/08/2025 12:24

I’ve seen a growing expectation for teachers to be constantly available, responding to emails outside of school hours, dealing with parents’ demands and even engaging with students on social media in some cases.

Surely they should be a clear boundary? Teachers are professionals, not 24/7 customer service reps. Parents shouldn’t expect instant responses and personal contact outside of school should be a firm no.

AIBU to think that more people need to respect teachers’ time and stop blurring the lines?

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 28/08/2025 12:34

I agree with you but it's for SLT to draw that line. All communication via the admin office is the way to do it. Make it very clear to parents that teachers are not expected to respond to direct communication.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/08/2025 12:33

Teachers are not supposed to be in contact with any students or parents of students on social media.

Its a safeguarding issue

Original poster
ForCandidSheep · 28/08/2025 12:32

Auroraloves · 28/08/2025 12:26

I agree. But who are these parents expecting everything that you mention? I’m sure most of us realise that they’re only human and can only manage to do so much

Many parents do understand and respect teachers’ limits. I think it’s more about a growing trend where some parents treat teachers like a on-demand service providers - instant replies, constant updates, even messaging on social media. It’s not the majority but the minority doing this can really skew expectations for everyone.

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 28/08/2025 12:32

I think any blanket rule would be both difficult and impractical. Where a teacher lives in a small community, for example, no personal contact out of school might restrict the teacher being able to go about their day or join community activities. I think parents need to recognise normal work boundaries - ie if I send an email at 5.00pm on a Friday I won’t hear back until the following week. I also think teachers need to maintain clear boundaries appropriate to their role and location eg a 3 day response time to emails with anything urgent going to the school office or whatever.

DanceMumTaxi · 28/08/2025 12:30

Yes they do. I saw one comment recently about GCSE results and the parent was complaining that the teacher wasn’t available to review their child’s script to decide on a marking review (well they said remark but that isn’t a thing anymore). It is the holidays! Teachers are not at work right now and shouldn’t be expected to be responding to stuff like this during their holiday time. There will be plenty of time for this come September and it can easily be done then. The parent just needs to be patient. Like you said, they are not 24/7 customer service reps.

Auroraloves · 28/08/2025 12:26

I agree. But who are these parents expecting everything that you mention? I’m sure most of us realise that they’re only human and can only manage to do so much