I’m a Primary School Headteacher. Ask me anything!

[RonnieOnion]

This is not a TAAT, but I’ve just read one in AIBU about teachers/wine/holidays and it got me thinking.
What do you really want to know about us? Obviously I can only answer from my own personal experience.

[RonnieOnion]

Really, TopDog123? I think they are really interesting. I love finding out what other jobs entail. I’m surprised you clicked on this one!

[WakeUpMaggie]

Do you think a line needs to be drawn on how much parental input is required in relation for funds for the school? Our school recently asked us to come in on a Saturday with a spade and wheelbarrow to help landscape the grounds. I thought that was too far. I can't imagine any other government funded service (GP, hospital) where this would be asked of you. There are constant requests for money (the PTA raised £20k last year). I understand money is an issue but surely the gap should be closed by government funding which will never happen whilst parents pay. And there will be a two tier system where one school has more money than the other just because of how wealthy the parents are.

[ellesbellesxxx]

Hijack here but @CatchingBabies I love you guys :)

[RonnieOnion]

MissEliza
I’m more than happy to hear a complaint. In fact, I much prefer to hear about an issue directly and quickly so we can address it. The vast majority of complaints are easily sorted and are usually children telling parents a half-truth!
I don’t mind angry/upset parents but I dislike it when they are abusive and/or personal about my staff.

[RonnieOnion]

ItsalmostSummer
My year has been brilliant! The school was in Special Measures when I got there, and now it isn’t! I am nearly on my knees, though!

[LegArmpits]

user14 are you having a laugh!? 😂

[KateGrey]

That’s really positive to hear you’re inclusive. And that you actually write things down. I think I was just shocked that all monitoring and progressing was kept in the teacher’s head. I couldn’t work out how he could hold information on 30 children.

[maxbabi]

How much interaction do you have with your business manager? I am a SBM by the way!

[Hadalifeonce]

Would you like to see some form of headteacher lobby group to actually explain to the government that the current school funding is detrimental to our children's education? Despite them stating that lots of schools are better off, which I am sure is true, it is causing severe problems for the schools that aren't?

[SadieHH]

As a parent who works in her children's school (midday supervisor), what do you think of schools where a large proportion of the MDS and TA staff are parents at the school? And would us MDS's staying in the staff room for a coffee and a chat to bridge the gap between end of work and school pick up wind you up?

I love these threads, I think they're very informative and interesting. There should definitely be a permanent topic for them.

[user1493423934]

What type of parents annoy the cr@p out of you ? (and I know there are plenty that do!)
YY to your staff (teachers, assistants office staff etc) needing

[GreenTulips]

Do you invest in all school training on things like dyslexia?

Dyslexia library books
Audio books

My son has been punished many times due to his difficulties not being understood and I find it frustrating rather than him!

[French2019]

I note your comments about power/ego in relation to governors, and wholeheartedly agree. However, I'm also interested in knowing more about what your governors could actually do to help the school and support you in your role. What do you want from them?

[EnolaAlone]

My DH is a KS1 leader and on SLT. He's currently doing his NPQH. Is he completely mad? Will I ever see him? I feel like he already works very long hours.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

How much input do individual teachers have? If there are parts of policies or procedures you really don't feel work are you able to raise it or are you expected to carry on anyway?

Things like homework for Instance.

How often do you have to do things that you know aren't helping or working but "that's just how it is"

[hmmwhatatodo]

No user, in addition to tidying and listening to reading they also have the very important job of making the teacher a cup of tea every day.

[Oly5]

How important are Year 2 sats? Thanks for doing this OP!

[AvoidingDM]

Homework at early primary stage, what's the point, how important is it really?

Homework gets set on a Monday for the week. Monday after school DS has swimming and I do what we can mainly reading.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I'm home with kids just before 6pm. My focus is dinner. I'd rather have time after dinner to play with DS than fight with homework before I start bath with my LO then get oldest into bed.

Learning to write and letter sizing. I used a jitter with tramlines, only tall letters went above the top line. Why do schools not use them any more? My son's letters are all the same size.

[RonnieOnion]

headinhands
Is your job purely more business/management than education?

Now, that’s the danger. If I get drawn into the business model, I can be more efficient and make things more cost effective but, imo, business models don’t work with children! Cost effective decisions (no TAs, for example) hinder education.

I have to make sure I don’t lose sight of the fact that education is my core purpose. I’m dealing with developing the hearts and minds of little people and business models don’t allow for that. It’s a hard tightrope to walk.

[RonnieOnion]

Nonky
You’re not being precious. I hate, hate, HATE that culture in a school.
Children should never miss a playtime unless they are receiving a consequence for actions of their own (hit someone; not enough work done; buggering about) and even then, just five minutes.

[AjasLipstick]

Is there much poverty in your school? A school trip came to my place of work yesterday and they were 4-5 years old. One child was wearing SLIPPERS in the rain (We're in Australia) and a few were very ill-clad. It's winter here and I thought it so sad that nobody could have provided the kids with something better to wear.

[gamerchick]

I want to know what kind of presents you like to get if any from your years 6 leavers. is home made the way to go?

[RonnieOnion]

Aspieparent
It’s absolutely true that there isn’t enough money. Many children need 1-1 hours for many reasons, but very few receive funding. Even when they do, it doesn’t cover the cost of actually employing someone, so it’s difficult.
Saying that, our job is to juggle as much as we can and make sure that basic needs are met. That’s about the culture of the school imo.
If a child is soiled in my school, and the class staff cannot physically deal with it, they will call for support and a senior leader or learning mentor will magically appear.

[RonnieOnion]

Littleredboat
But events at the end of the school day are no bloody use if both parents work. In what world can working parents get to something that starts at 2.30 or thereabouts??

Told you; we can’t win!

[Owlettele]

What do you think of the pilot changes to EYFS?