Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

School banning class WhatsApp group

71 replies

Toobe · 09/09/2020 23:17

DC just started Y3. ‘Headmaster’s Wife’ (an official role) announced that there would be no year WhatsApp group and all communication would be via the school. Class rep promptly deleted the group.

At a complete loss why they’d do this. Only 19 in year so not too big. Suddenly arranging parties (when we can), checking dates, reminders etc have all stopped. It seems especially crazy during Covid when all the parents can’t get together and some are shielding.

Is this a thing, has anyone else’s school done this?

OP posts:
ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 09/09/2020 23:21

You're adults - you can have a WhatsApp group with whoever you choose and it has nothing to do with the school.

Penyu · 09/09/2020 23:22

That's crazy, surely it won't last and there will be illegal spin off groups formed?!
I don't really like the groups myself as a parent and a primary teacher of many years, but they are what they are.

I have seen Heads pull in parents who went too far slagging off a teacher before... But banning them is silly.

It will never work and the school will come across as petty, there are more worrying things to deal with at the moment.

Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 09/09/2020 23:22

What's a head masters wife?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
CatsFantastic · 09/09/2020 23:24

I suspect this means there isn’t to be an official/in any way connected to school WhatsApp group.

Don’t blame them, these groups often cause trouble.

Pipandmum · 09/09/2020 23:25

The school cannot dictate what you do if you all are happy to join in. The majority of our school years have WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages. It's none of the schools business.

BackforGood · 09/09/2020 23:25

I too want to hear more about this "headaster's wife (official role)" Hmm

Polkasquare · 09/09/2020 23:25

Not everyone has whatsapp. Official school information should not be available on a whatsapp group only.

Ohyesohyeah · 09/09/2020 23:26

Haha. I though you meant the children having them - because they cause SO many problems that take up a hell of a lot of the head's and teachers' time at my school. Would love to be able to ban the children from them. But... erm, we can't tell the parents and children how they are allowed to communicate outside of school Confused

Tartyflette · 09/09/2020 23:27

So set up your own group if you need to . Don't tell the Headmaster's Wife.
Private school i presume.
But as an aside I can't get my head round any self-respecting woman who would want/use such a title or role any Headmaster's (or indeed anybody's) Wife. Feels like 1955.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 09/09/2020 23:28

There could be lots of reasons for this - one or two parents may not have WhatsApp, personally I think its more likely that there are privacy concerns perhaps there's a looked after child?

Either way, you can have an unofficial group if you want to. School are perfectly within their rights to decide the 'official' channels they use to communicate, you don't have to follow. Though you may not get a full house for the reasons above on an unofficial group.

Tartyflette · 09/09/2020 23:28

...or role AS Headmaster's Wife....

UpperLowercaseSymbolNumber · 09/09/2020 23:29

Are you in another country like UAE?

The school can say that they do not wish to communicate with the parents via WhatsApp. That’s fine. However you are adults. If you choose to have an informal WhatsApp group amongst the parents that is a matter for you. Not everyone is a fan but appropriately used they be very helpful.

Ellmau · 09/09/2020 23:33

Maybe to DIScourage parties?

FATEdestiny · 09/09/2020 23:33

Is the Headmasters wife actually the Headmasters wife? Or is it an (insulting) term for a PA?

Open your own WhatsApp group.

Frazzled2207 · 09/09/2020 23:35

Wtf!
I can see how school might not want an official whatsapp but they cannot stop you setting one up between parents. They are a lifeline! Just don’t tell the Headmaster’s wife!

Lindy2 · 09/09/2020 23:37

You don't need anyone's permission to use WhatsApp. The school is overstepping their authority.

Headmaster's wife? If the head is female is there a Headmistress's husband position?

Thenneverendingstorohree · 09/09/2020 23:38

Start another one.

Porridgeoat · 09/09/2020 23:41

It’ll just means you’ll need to run your own separately which is fine

Original poster
Toobe · 09/09/2020 23:42

I guess the difficulty is contacting new parents to invite them to join a group when there are currently no meet ups and some of the DC are using school buses. Previously the school got consent then gave out contact numbers.

Obviously existing DP can go rogue and form a group (pretty thrilling!) but it’s rubbish for the DP of the 6 new kids.

And yes, the ‘Headmaster’s wife’ is in fact his wife Grin.

OP posts:
ktp100 · 09/09/2020 23:43

A group for parents?

Yeah, just start your own whatsapp group. They can't stop it.

Pobblebonk · 09/09/2020 23:44

Can you send messages to the new children's parents via the children?

FOKKYFC · 09/09/2020 23:44

The Headmaster's Wife is like the First Lady of UK public schools. Blimey, have none of you seen 'Goodbye, Mr Chips'? 'If'? 'Ripping Yarns'? 😂

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 09/09/2020 23:44

Not the school's call how parents of their pupils decide to communicate with each other

Much less the spouse of a member of staff

NoSquirrels · 09/09/2020 23:48

Obviously existing DP can go rogue and form a group (pretty thrilling!) but it’s rubbish for the DP of the 6 new kids.

Most WhatsApp groups for school class parents are unofficial. Really, that’s the norm so what you previously had was unusual.

Send a note in with your kid to give to new kids to pass on to parents.
“Would you like to be added to the year group WhatsApp? Text to [number] and I can add you. Hope DC is settling in!”

JustAnotherSod · 10/09/2020 00:04

I suspect its something as basic as the school not wishing to have responsibility as the data controller under data protection legislation for an official WhatsApp group - it's an utter headache for schools to manage to be honest!

Why not ask the school to pass your (or whoever is organising the unofficial one) number onto the new parents and ask them to get in touch?