I’m a primary school office manager (school secretary) AMA

[PinkCottonCandy]

I run the school office in busy primary school. AMA

Can you tell us your top 3 outrageous parent moments please.

Do you have a list of "those" parents who are pain in the arses ?

I have given one her own named folder in my emails!

Most parents are lovely.

Those who feel it’s ok to not use basic manners and common courtesy make the list - but thankfully it’s a very short one.

Does your school have a finance/business manager too? If yes, how do you feel about how much that person earns vs what you earn / what the teachers earn?

Do you keep the glue sticks under lock and key like they are in my school? 😁

Not really outrageous - more infuriating…

*Sending a child into school who was vomiting in the night “but he’s fine now”.

*Blatantly lying saying their child is unwell when the child has already told us all about their up coming holiday/weekend away/trip to theme park etc. Playing me (and their child) for an idiot. Just be honest FFS.

*Class What’s App Groups.

What do you really think of the parent who is always 5 minutes late to school? Asking for a friend!

No, but they are in a cupboard in my office so I can see if anyone tries to escape with pockets stuffed full! I do keep laminating pouches hidden in A4 Lever Arch Files though 😉

Do you get to know the kids? Or is it a very admin based job behind a desk

It honestly depends on the parent/home situation. For some, 5 minutes late is an achievement and I think I’m glad they made it to school today.

The one who arrives fully made up and heads straight off on her morning trip to the coffee shop gym each day, I think they should just set the clock ten minutes fast as it’s disrespectful to us (we’ve locked the gate etc) and unfair on your child having to always walk into class late and having missed the register/routine.

Do you get annoyed when parents forget children’s items (books, coat etc) and drop
them to the school office? I’m asking for a friend too 👀

No. As long as they are friendly and good natured and say please/thank you (and the item is clearly named!)

Does your school have the token hot male teacher that all of the mum's swoon over. Do they get ribbed about it in the staff room?

One of the mum's at ours didn't clock that ours was gay and was doing so much eye-fluttering and touching his shoulder it had half of us wetting ourselves - he was always looking so scared of her!

Phew! I’ll let my ‘friend’ know she’s all good.

I get to know loads of the children and many of the parents and all of the staff.

It is bloody hard work. I literally do not stop from the second I walk through the door until the second I leave but it is the best place to do an admin job as it’s so people focused. Many of the children come and say hello on their way in each morning, they come when they have lost their first tooth or when they they need to tell me they swam a whole length of the pool in their lesson last night or when they have fallen over. I make time for them always.

DH was the token hot teacher - it's hilarious. One mum would just request meeting after meeting with him to discuss everything under the sun.
Another mum was left red faced after he asked the children to each bring in a box and one child brought in box - containing his mums vibrator!! Come to think of it, DH was rather red faced handing it back!! 😂😂

We have a finance administrator who works 2 days. He is paid FTE the same as I am. I think all good support staff are underpaid. I think they should be paid right through the year if teachers and SLT are.

@Milkand2sugarsplease Mortified!
Some people say kids aren't evil...😆

‘fraid not! There is one hot Dad that lots of the female staff have “noticed” though!

@PinkCottonCandy Ah the hot dad is always nice at the start but their heads inflate by the end of the school as they tend to have a gaggle of followers by then. Hearing them holding court before the gates opened used to make me cringe!