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Original poster

Have you ever felt judged by teachers/staff on pick up drop off at school?

30 replies

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 09:55

Just wanting to know other peoples experiences of drop off/pick up time at school. Sometimes if we're running a bit late but arrive a couple of minutes before doors shut, the head or one of senior staff seem to make a beeline for us before we go in. Probably being paranoid but last week a senior member of staff made a beeline and said hello to my daughter then just stared at me unsmiling. Felt like I was being assessed! Has anyone else experienced something similar?

OP posts:

pinkyredrose · 13/09/2022 09:57

Maybe try to stop being late?

Johnnysgirl · 13/09/2022 10:00

Why are you always late?

Plumbear2 · 13/09/2022 10:03

Because they know how much disruption a late child brings to the class.

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Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:06

We are not always late. DD has never actually been late, has never been marked down as such. Doors shut at 8:50. Most people drop off at 8:40 so if I don't get there by that time it feels like I'm running late, she's in a couple of minutes before doors close.
It's the feeling that we have got the staff's attention now. Just wondering if anyone else have experienced this.

OP posts:

Johnnysgirl · 13/09/2022 10:07

The door still being open doesn't mean you're not late, btw. You seem to think it's fine to slide in under the wire. It isn't.

YelloCar · 13/09/2022 10:08

That is late though from a learning point of view: It’s difficult for a child to rush straight into the classroom and have to sit down immediately ready to learn.

Imagine if you were late to work and ran straight into a meeting where you were a needed to be a vital, active participant.

Getting there ten minutes earlier will give her a bit of a buffer to get settled in properly.

Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:08

Johnnysgirl · 13/09/2022 10:07

The door still being open doesn't mean you're not late, btw. You seem to think it's fine to slide in under the wire. It isn't.

Why not if it is within the time given? What does it suggest to you?

OP posts:

Plumbear2 · 13/09/2022 10:10

Most schools have the children lined up ready to go in together. If you arrive when this has already happened you are late. It disruptes the teacher who has already started the day

Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:12

I understand that is usually In most schools as DS lined up, however it is not the case at this school. The children have different entrances. The school is small they don't line up they just go in after they arrive.

OP posts:

MassiveSalad22 · 13/09/2022 10:13

Our school sounds similar - gates open at some point before 8:40, classroom doors open 8:40, register at 8:50. So people are told school starts at 8:50. But really you should aim for 8:40. 8:40 is quiet reading time and the like, getting your head in the game for the day.

Whinge · 13/09/2022 10:13

DD has never actually been late, has never been marked down as such. Doors shut at 8:50. Most people drop off at 8:40

In our school we take the register 5-10 minutes after the doors are closed as it gives the time for children to put away their things and settle down ready to learn. If most children enter the classroom at 8.40 then a child arriving 5-10 minutes after this wouldn't be marked as late, but they would notice they were the last one into the classroom. Is there a reason why you can't arrive earlier?

Wallawallakoala · 13/09/2022 10:14

I think people are being a little unfair here. If they wanted children to be there earlier than a few minutes before doors shut they need to say doors shut earlier?

Our drop off is 8.40-8.55 with school starting at 9. So what's the problem getting there at 8.53 for example?

I get there early in case of things getting in the way, so could be there at 8.40 but due to parking etc may not get through the door until 8.50. theres a reason they give those times to allow.

I teach and wouldn't judge.

BlueThingie · 13/09/2022 10:15

What is the actual time they're supposed to be there by?

I tend to think 90% of thinking one's being judged is actually projection.

Wallawallakoala · 13/09/2022 10:15

Fully aware I'll get completely slated here but hey it's my opinion!

MintJulia · 13/09/2022 10:16

Just aim to be 5 minutes earlier. Then the problem goes away.

Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:18

I guess I didn't think there was anything wrong as it is within the time they have provided. During covid they staggered the times for each year and you were meant to arrive at your year's given ten minute slot no earlier. We have moved on since then. I guess there are less parents on the playground at these times when I arrive so as they are greeting the parents there are less of them to talk to as people are trickling in rather than big groups

OP posts:

CookPassBabtridge · 13/09/2022 10:19

Erm.. my school is 8.40-8.50. So if I arrive at 8.49 that is fine! They should say 8.45 if they want to get started earlier.

UnbalancingAct · 13/09/2022 10:21

What is the actual time they're supposed to be there by?
This! It might not be the time they tell you that school starts. I was told, and all the information I was given, stated children should be at school at 850. I assumed this was when doors were opened for a 9 start and after about a week the teacher took me aside and told me that school actually starts at 850 and the children are expected to be inside and out of coats, sitting down at 850. I had no idea!
Just sim to be there 5 mins earlier than you are at the moment.

Ihatethenewlook · 13/09/2022 10:23

CookPassBabtridge · 13/09/2022 10:19

Erm.. my school is 8.40-8.50. So if I arrive at 8.49 that is fine! They should say 8.45 if they want to get started earlier.

This. My school door closes at 8.40. Then the teaches begin properly greeting the kids and settling them in before starting the register. If they’d prefer the children in a bit earlier as they’re starting the register bang on the given start time, then they should say so?

Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:25

At 8:50 The children have ten minutes to wash their hands and put their coats on their pegs and their lunch boxes out before they sit down in class so she has time to do all these things. I guess I was looking for other peoples examples of where they seemed to realise they have caught the attention of school staff. It could be like someone said me just projecting

OP posts:

Twillseeker · 13/09/2022 10:28

our school is 8:40 - 8:50 and I’ve noticed they don’t seem to like anything after 8:45. I think by the time they hang coats up, change books etc it delays the actual start time. The teacher this year has said they need to be ready to have registration and dinner orders taken at 8:50. My DD hates rushing in last so we try to get there a few mins after the doors have opened. Maybe try getting there 5 mins earlier and see if it’s better.

lickenchugget · 13/09/2022 10:29

Staff at our school don’t bat an eyelid if you are near the limit of the drop off window occasionally, but they have made reference to ‘persistent latecomer families’ who are last into school every day. Their view is clearly that if you are the same amount of late every day, then you should just leave earlier. There is no window for these people if they are held up in traffic etc, and the school is very strict on latecomers coming into class after lessons have started and disrupting the start of the day.

inmyslippers · 13/09/2022 10:30

Yes I'm mixed race and arms covered in tattoos. Been given elevator eyes by a Middle Aged Karen ta. Thankfully she's left. Everyone else is lovely

Johnnysgirl · 13/09/2022 10:32

Karen... 🙄

Original poster

nancydroo · 13/09/2022 10:33

inmyslippers · 13/09/2022 10:30

Yes I'm mixed race and arms covered in tattoos. Been given elevator eyes by a Middle Aged Karen ta. Thankfully she's left. Everyone else is lovely

Thanks for sharing your example...elevator eyes...that's a good way to describe it

OP posts:

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