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Original poster

does it matter if you loathe the headteacher?

38 replies

hullygully · 07/05/2009 11:10

We like everything about the school that is the best option overall for both our children, but loathe the headteacher (we have met him twice, once on a tour of the school). We could probably manage distant politeness but no more. Does this matter? Has anyone any experience of this and what, if any, effect it has?

OP posts:
milou2 · 07/05/2009 12:59

The gut feeling against someone is sometimes the only warning you will ever get before you get involved with a school where all is great on the face of it but there are permanent problems underneath the surface.

throckenholt · 07/05/2009 12:54

if you like the feel of the school and he has a good reputation with the pupils and he has been there a long time - he must be doing something right. Maybe the two times you have met him are not as representative as those things.

I think I would go with your feel for the whole school in this case. And if you ever have to deal with him personally try and keep an open mind.

Paolosgirl · 07/05/2009 12:53

If I trusted him to do the best by my children and their education, in good times and in bad, then it wouldn't matter what his personailty was like. He's there to manage the school, and as long as he does that well, and my children are happy then I'd be happy.

seeker · 07/05/2009 12:53

Sorry, I now see yo don't know him. What on earth has he done to create such strong feelings?

seeker · 07/05/2009 12:51

Do you know him outside school? If not, I'm a bit surprised that you can feel so strongly about someone that presumably you've only met in a few relatively formal situations. What's wrong with him?

If it's a really small school then his personality will probably have quite an impact on the school, and if he's a very difficult person the staff will have problems too which might not make for a very happy ship.

AMumInScotland · 07/05/2009 12:48

I think for me it would depend what things I disliked about him, and whether I could still respect his good qualities and believe that he knew what he was doing. I don't expect to like everyone I meet, but if I'm going to have to "work" with them I need to think they're reasonably good at their job.

Original poster
hullygully · 07/05/2009 12:35

He's been there forever. Yes, that's my worry (re communication). Or even when it comes to discussing their futures, wanting help etc.

OP posts:
amicissima · 07/05/2009 12:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
hullygully · 07/05/2009 11:17

It's a really, really small school! Apparently he gets on well with the pupils, and we like the ethos etc, just him we can't stand. It's difficult because we get on extremely well with the current head and all the other teachers, and it seems odd to start them at a school where we know we wouldn't get on with the head. Can't help thinking its helpful for the dcs when you get on well with head and staff.

OP posts:
Hassled · 07/05/2009 11:14

If it's a large secondary school you can easily get by never seeing or speaking to him again.

Ignore his personality - do you like his approach to teaching and learning? Do you like the school's aims and values? Is it a happy school where children develop?

Yurtgirl · 07/05/2009 11:13

twice

Yurtgirl · 07/05/2009 11:13

IME if your child is unlikely to get into trouble and doesnt have SEN then I would say no probably not

If your answer is yes to either question - then yes it most certainly does mattrer

Yurtgirl · 07/05/2009 11:13

IME if your child is unlikely to get into trouble and doesnt have SEN then I would say no probably not

If your answer is yes to either question - then yes it most certainly does mattrer

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