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AIBU?

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AIBU to speak to the head about information being shared?

134 replies

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 12:23

Hello! Looking for advice on how to handle this.

so I am in a situation where an in law teaches my child (SIL) her mother (my MIL) went no contact with us last year over a lie that was said and lots of false accusations. She has not seen her grandchildren since last year (apart from the few times I am getting to) and the emotional stress and upset it has caused on us all has been alot to say the least. Trying to deal with tears from the kids and sending them to school to be taught by a woman who is part of the reason their grandmother went no contact has been very hard. The biggest concern I face now is that I am aware that information about my children is being passed on to their grandmother via the SIL (teacher) things I do not wish for her to know any more as she made the decision to taker herself out of our lives. She somehow manages to find out and get access to tickets to school concerts (i know full well that her daughter gets her these tickets) and turns up at the right time and place that she could only know if she is being directly told by someone. She knows if they have been off school or unwell so whenever kids see her “show up” it causes huge distress all over again. I plan to speak to the headteacher soon but wondering how much she can actually do about it? This woman is a hood teacher in that sons work is coming along great … its just i don’t want her passing information on about my children to anyone!

OP posts:
Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:50

rainbowstardrops · 30/03/2026 13:48

I would absolutely speak to the school! Especially as your son is very upset over it all.
How old are your children?

DS is yr 4 DD is in reception

OP posts:
NaiceCupOTea · 30/03/2026 13:49

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:39

Like I said previously, through Father in law who us still very much in contact daily with us.

In that case I'd be speaking to the Head. Not sure what you can do about the plays etc- maybe raise it as a safe-guarding concern if you are NC, she should be coming to the school to see your children in plays.

Deffo raise about the SIL passing on when your children are off sick though, that's completely out of order

rainbowstardrops · 30/03/2026 13:48

I would absolutely speak to the school! Especially as your son is very upset over it all.
How old are your children?

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:41

Happytaytos · 30/03/2026 13:40

Sounds secondary school age in which case sometimes we do get "strangers" ie non parents or grandparents attend shows etc. Not sure what you can do about that.

Primary school both children

OP posts:
Happytaytos · 30/03/2026 13:40

Sounds secondary school age in which case sometimes we do get "strangers" ie non parents or grandparents attend shows etc. Not sure what you can do about that.

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:39

NaiceCupOTea · 30/03/2026 13:36

OP how do you know that grandmother knows when the kids are off sick, if you are NC with her?

Like I said previously, through Father in law who us still very much in contact daily with us.

OP posts:
NaiceCupOTea · 30/03/2026 13:36

OP how do you know that grandmother knows when the kids are off sick, if you are NC with her?

andweallsingalong · 30/03/2026 13:36

You are definitely not unreasonable to ask school to ensure that all teachers (SIL) do not share any information gained through their employment in school about your kids with ANYONE outside of school.

I would also let them know the effect on your son of MIL going to see him.

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:32

catipuss · 30/03/2026 13:26

Staff probably also get ticket allocations if they are involved in the production.

Yes.

OP posts:
Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:30

catipuss · 30/03/2026 13:24

You have no proof that this teacher is doing anything, you may think she is but you know nothing. As someone else said she may talk in general terms about her work, the school play they are doing, without mentioning your children specifically, it could be other school mums that your MIL knows keeping her up to date, it's sometimes surprising who knows who.

Ive been told first hand by FIL that this is what is happening (he is still in contact with us) “how do you know?” “Oh teacher rang MIL last night etc etc..” so despite not having hard proof, I do know that it is what is happening, is it still worth raising my concerns do you think? Also the incidence where my DS froze, they had prelims before hand so someone must have informed her that he was successful and informed her exactly what time he would be on stage. We were only informed the evening before that he had successfully got a place on stage (parentmail email) and did not tell anyone.

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 30/03/2026 13:28

Have you proof that she is sharing about being off sick/grades etc. If you have focus on that rather than on the School Play. In that regard just gently explain to the kids that she might be there because sil wants her to see the play she was working on. Better to have them prepared.

catipuss · 30/03/2026 13:26

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:19

Tickets are advertised via parent mail only and its 2 tickets per family. So i get one and my DH gets one. My DF (children's grandfather) misses out or me or DH miss out

Staff probably also get ticket allocations if they are involved in the production.

catipuss · 30/03/2026 13:24

You have no proof that this teacher is doing anything, you may think she is but you know nothing. As someone else said she may talk in general terms about her work, the school play they are doing, without mentioning your children specifically, it could be other school mums that your MIL knows keeping her up to date, it's sometimes surprising who knows who.

RudolphTheReindeer · 30/03/2026 13:22

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:21

Oh I know this. But its what they could potentially say

Of course they won't.

Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:21

RudolphTheReindeer · 30/03/2026 13:02

Oh come on op of course teachers parents aren't turning up to school events to watch their adult children.

Oh I know this. But its what they could potentially say

OP posts:
Happyspring1 · 30/03/2026 13:19

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 30/03/2026 12:48

SIL might not be telling her about the concerts etc. it will be on the school website. If they’re open to anyone she can just ring up and get a ticket. If she’s that invested then she will absolutely check the website / follow the school Facebook page etc.

information about them being off sick definitely shouldn’t be passed on and I would bring that up.

But you cannot ask for the school to ban her from site for events that are advertised freely online and open to the public.

Tickets are advertised via parent mail only and its 2 tickets per family. So i get one and my DH gets one. My DF (children's grandfather) misses out or me or DH miss out

OP posts:
Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 30/03/2026 13:19

The concerts etc are iffy as others have siad

But sharing private info like grades or when they have been off sick etc is a breach of GDPR and potentially becomes a safeguarding issue too and needs to be reported to the head teacher.

CinnamonBuns67 · 30/03/2026 13:11

Yes I'd definitely be speaking to both the headteacher and DSL about this and I'd be following up in writing. Your SIL shouldn't be passing any information on, she's in that environment as their teacher not their Auntie so she should be maintaining professionalism that you'd generally expect of any teacher. I would move the children's schools if they don't take it seriously and deal with it properly.

TanquerayTickles · 30/03/2026 13:08

I wouldn't like that at all, OP.

Is it worth your Husband approaching his sister first and asking her not to pass on information to your MIL about the children? Stress that if it doesn't stop, he'll need to take it further with the School?

Mischance · 30/03/2026 13:08

These events are usually on school website and a grandma could potentially ring for a ticket, saying who they are.
Talk to school about how tickets can be obtained and make it clear you do not want any sold to this person.

noidea69 · 30/03/2026 13:06

Surely you've got to move schools.

RudolphTheReindeer · 30/03/2026 13:03

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 30/03/2026 12:48

SIL might not be telling her about the concerts etc. it will be on the school website. If they’re open to anyone she can just ring up and get a ticket. If she’s that invested then she will absolutely check the website / follow the school Facebook page etc.

information about them being off sick definitely shouldn’t be passed on and I would bring that up.

But you cannot ask for the school to ban her from site for events that are advertised freely online and open to the public.

Most school events are not 'open to the public'.

RudolphTheReindeer · 30/03/2026 13:02

Oh come on op of course teachers parents aren't turning up to school events to watch their adult children.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 30/03/2026 12:48

SIL might not be telling her about the concerts etc. it will be on the school website. If they’re open to anyone she can just ring up and get a ticket. If she’s that invested then she will absolutely check the website / follow the school Facebook page etc.

information about them being off sick definitely shouldn’t be passed on and I would bring that up.

But you cannot ask for the school to ban her from site for events that are advertised freely online and open to the public.

Rainbowsandsunshine72 · 30/03/2026 12:43

You’re not being unreasonable, honestly, it would blow my mind if someone disagreed with you. You need to speak to someone about this now

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