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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:
blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 10/09/2020 07:27

Where's the OP?

Headmaster's Wife? What the fuck? Is it the 1950s? I think I would refuse to send my child to a school where there was a role called Headmaster's Wife.

BillieEilish · 10/09/2020 07:32

My DD's wassap group was SO cliquey, they thought they ran the school. They even organised the end of term official party. They decided when to wear sports kit/against the official line so all their DC's went in a different kit to 4 or 5 others not in the group.

All school info seemed to be through them. It was terrible. The group of 8/9 women were all old friends and excluded some/some didn't have wassap/some were not liked for whatever reason.

Horrendous. I left the group and I have now thankfully changed school to one which has proper communication. It honestly was that bad.

I applaud your schools decision. You can have your own private/friends group.

PegasusReturns · 10/09/2020 07:32

I think your description of the Headteacher’s wife was pretty degrading. The fact she’s his wife is irrelevant, you could have used her job title. Such as, the deputy head messaged us etc!

It wasn’t degrading, because she’s not the deputy head, she’s the headmasters wife Hmm

In many public schools the spouse of the head takes on some official duties related to the school. In days gone by this would have typically involved in hosting and welcoming families and children, for example hosting a welcome reception on the first day of term and also a pastoral element.

Many schools have continued this tradition, especially where the head lives on site.

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General education
cologne4711 · 10/09/2020 07:38

You can have whatever group you like with whoever you like.

However, no doubt some of the more sanctimonious mums will say "but it's not allowed by the school" (and? so what?) and refuse to join. Oh well, I'm sure they'll love having to phone the school every time they have a question another parent could have answered. And the school may find they prefer parents being able to ask each other the "stupid" questions, too.

cologne4711 · 10/09/2020 07:39

I do agree they can be cliquey but I just wouldn't stay a member if that was the case, but hopefully by then I would have a couple of the numbers in my phone so I could ask questions of the less cliquey ones.

I didn't realise there was still such a thing as a "headmaster's wife". How quaint. And why doesn't she have a proper role on the payroll?

GoatsInBoats · 10/09/2020 07:46

DD is 10 and we've never had a class WhatsApp group. If we want to invite someone to play and we don't have their number DD takes a note in from me to give to the other kid who passes it to their parent.

LolaSmiles · 10/09/2020 07:51

It sounds like school have decided to no longer facilitate a class WhatsApp group as a go between for parents and for the class rep to share information.

They can't stop adults having their own WhatsApp group, but they can choose to close one linked to the school.

FOKKYFC · 10/09/2020 08:56

The 'role' of 'Headmaster's Wife' is a thing. Outmoded it may be - but it is a 'thing'.

NoSleepInTheHeat · 10/09/2020 09:08

Our school tried to do that and have us you Classlist instead of whatsapp, reps were told to discourage the use of whatsapp.
We just created a whatsapp group, added everybody, and most communication goes through it anyway.

Frazzled2207 · 10/09/2020 09:38

I honestly did not know that headmaster's wife is a 'thing'. Our hm does indeed have a wife who teaches at the school. She is not regarded any differently to any of the other teachers as far as I can tell.
That article is interesting - suggesting that of course some HMs are women but headmaster's husband isn't a thing funnily enough

Frazzled2207 · 10/09/2020 09:39

also we don't have reps. The school sends all official stuff, we discuss it on the (unofficial) parents whatsapps. Admittedly, not all parents are on it but anyone's welcome if they ask.

OverTheRainbow88 · 10/09/2020 09:41

@PegasusReturns

Sorry, my bad. I thought the (official role) bit meant she was his wife but also had another official role.

I’ve never heard of such things!!!

Giganticshark · 10/09/2020 09:47

Trust me you do not need a parent WhatsApp group. Think of this as a blessing!!!!! They've obviously had trouble in the past and are trying to avoid any future arguments /hostility going on via txt

ScarlettDarling · 10/09/2020 20:17

I work in a school and we have had trouble with Whattsap groups turning nasty and slagging off members of staff. Our head asked all parents to sign an agreement that they would use social media, inc WhatsApp, appropriately when it comes to mentioning school or staff. Don't know if it made parents think twice but we haven't had any incidents since.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 10/09/2020 20:52

we have had trouble with Whattsap groups turning nasty and slagging off members of staff.

I imagine that is precisely why the OP's school has issued this inappropriate edict. People are allowed to have opinions and to voice them, and Whatsapp is not a public forum. I agree those opinions should not be published, but it is not up to school to police parents' thoughts or communication.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 10/09/2020 22:17

@ScarlettDarling

I work in a school and we have had trouble with Whattsap groups turning nasty and slagging off members of staff. Our head asked all parents to sign an agreement that they would use social media, inc WhatsApp, appropriately when it comes to mentioning school or staff. Don't know if it made parents think twice but we haven't had any incidents since.
I work in a school and I find this approach ridiculous. Trying to stifle communication between parents by a signed agreement like a naughty child? I would have refused to sign it.

With respect, I think it's fine to talk about the school over WhatsApp if there's been a failing or an incident that involves parents. I'd be very suspicious of any school that tried to stop me talking to other parents about problems

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 10/09/2020 22:43

School WhatsApp groups can be really awful. Our school had to send an e-mail to parents telling them not to rely on WhatsApp groups as they were sending the wrong information out about the start of term/uniforms/equipment etc. A couple of parents also kept trying to force people to donate £10 for a teacher's end of term gift (they weren't leaving). One parent then decided to create a spreadsheet naming and shaming those parents who had not contributed and then e-mailed it round the year group.

Chickoletta · 10/09/2020 22:46

I hate these groups with a passion! I teach at an independent senior school and my children go to our prep school. I am in the yr 3 WhatsApp group and want to throttle the whinging feckers every day.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 10/09/2020 22:50

Our class WhatsApp sounds very boring compared to some of these. It's usually every 2 weeks "has anyone's child accidentally brought Ben's tie home?" And "Do they need PE kit for tomorrow?" Or "What were this week's spellings?"

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