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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect DD to meet her reception teacher before Sept..

21 replies

lilllysa · 16/07/2010 09:24

Sorry if this ends up long and rambley (most of my posts do!)

Basically my DD is 4 and has been going to School nursery since April this year and will be moving up to Reception in sept (the kids moving up from nursery are moving into 3 seperate reception classes)

They have had 2 'days' of visiting the reception classes they'll be going into but because my DD's reception teacher is also deputy headmistresses she has never been avail so her class has just stayed in nursery.

I've asked that my DD goes and visits the class so she is aware of whats coming and meets her new teacher (I asked about 3 weeks ago) since then I've been told pretty much everyday that the new teacher is busy and not been in her class and there is no point in my DD going over when the class is just being taught by teaching assistants.

Now am I just being a bit precious? or should I expect that a teacher teaches and my DD is shown what happens!

Not sure what else I can say to the school I havent said already

OP posts:

Deliaskis · 16/07/2010 09:31

I'd be more worried that the teacher is never there and the class is being taught by TAs (who are no doubt very good but it's not the point).

NoahAndTheWhale · 16/07/2010 09:39

That doesn't sound good - I agree with Deliaskis that the teacher never seeming to be there isn't a good sign.

My DD is starting reception in September and her teacher is the deputy head. DD has had four visits and the teacher has always been there. When the teacher is doing headteacherly things, there is another teacher, who covers all classes when necessary.

swizzlestar · 16/07/2010 10:03

I completely agree with Deliaskis - it doesn't sound great, and I wouldn't be happy either.

My dd starts in September. She's had four 1hr visits for a crafty project and a story, a morning in her new class with their teacher and ta, and the teacher and ta will be doing home visits in the first week of the new term to meet each child individually.

Do they do the home visits??

alexsdad · 16/07/2010 10:09

Can you do a little bit of investigating? Do you know anyone else who has children at the school - preferably in the class taught by this teacher? If so, it might be worth asking their opinion of her, and whether they've heard anything.

I agree it doesn't sound brilliant, but it's possible that there are things going on in school which are taking the deputys attention (head might be off or otherwise engaged, ofsted inspection, audit - whatever).

Hope that is the case, and your DD settles in well.

lazylula · 16/07/2010 10:16

I would be concerned that teacher isn't in her classroom. I worked with a deputy head and on occasion she would have to pop out to do other things and I would be left in charge but not all day everyday for 3 weeks! The school should make sure she is avaliable to meet her new class. Ds1 has had 2 almost full day visits to his new school with his teacher (10am til 3pm).
It could be that something else is going on at the school at the moment, maybe the head is off sick or something so the deputy has had to take up extra responsibilities.

PerpetuallyAnnoyedByHeadlice · 16/07/2010 10:22

very unusual for the teacher not to have met the class and had some settling in/taster sessions

therefore a deputy head is not ideally suited to teaching reception, if they cannot get round whatever else needed doing, IMO

Original poster

lilllysa · 16/07/2010 10:27

My neighbour has 5 kids that have gone to the school and as soon as she heard the teachers name all the kids gasped in horror and were full of "omg shes soooo horrible" blah blah . . I've taken that with a pinch of salt becuase they are very like that anyway and she also has a 4 yo going into reception adn is full of how amazing and wonderous his teacher is and how she was sent from teaching heaven to teach us mortals

(maybe I'm being over the top here but they are a very "1 up" family)

I've called the school and requested to speak to someone about this and been told its too close to the end of term and they are very busy . . too which I started kicked off a lil and they said someone will call back to arrange a 'talk'

Feeling very confused My DD is my only child so I am over protective but the whole thing just feels like its so badly organised

OP posts:

mumblechum · 16/07/2010 10:28

DS didn't meet any of the teachers till the first day.

He survived.

BeerTricksPotter · 16/07/2010 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pompadourprincess · 16/07/2010 10:39

I agree with BeetTricks... Sorry

ljgibbs · 16/07/2010 10:39

One of my DCs had new teachers 3 years in a row and she never got to meet them until the new term started. She survived.

pompadourprincess · 16/07/2010 10:40

opps ..Beertricks

SE13Mummy · 16/07/2010 10:41

When my DD started Reception the only transition sessions were for children already attending the school nursery - newcomers to the school (lots of whom were children whose parents had been allocated the school rather than put it on the application form as one of the choices) were left out of this process.

I called the Headteacher and asked when my DD could come in and meet her teacher and some of the children who'd be in her class. I didn't mind if it wasn't a proper session per se but as she was the only child in her nursery who didn't get a place at the attached school (where I teach) she was already upset at leacing her friends and I felt it was important that she had at least seen her classroom etc. so she had something to look forward to.

Luckily for me the Head was incredibly understanding and invited DD to spend a morning in the nursery with lots of others who'd be in her Reception class. They did go up to the Reception class too so it was even better than I'd hoped for - I'd have settled for a 5 minute visit to say hello!

I think you need to make an appointment with the Deputy Head and take your DD along to meet her. I don't think the actual transition sessions themselves matter, especially as she's already in the school, but I would hope that every school would find time for the Reception teachers to meet their new classes.

BeerTricksPotter · 16/07/2010 10:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

lilllysa · 16/07/2010 11:09

Still waiting on my call back . . Think I'm gonna just go in when I drop DD off. Dont like the thought that the teacher is too busy for a metting and hasnt (apparently) been in her class room for the past 3 weeks. . . Why have her allocated a class?? Grrrr

OP posts:

lazarusb · 16/07/2010 11:57

Alarm bells are ringing here. I'd definitely be asking a lot of questions right now.

sapphireblue · 16/07/2010 13:37

it sounds strange to me. I didn't think TAs were allowed to teach classes?

redskyatnight · 16/07/2010 13:43

It does seem very poor that her teacher is not available. DD is also starting Reception next year and her teacher is new to the school - yet she has visited all the children in nursery, been there for the induction day and on 2 separate occasions for parents to meet her.

My DS had the deputy head as his teacher this year and she has been out of the classroom for 1-2 days each week. This is not in itself a problem as the school has good strategies in place to cover this, but is something worth asking about.

I do think it is a shame that your DD has not at least had the time to visit the physical room she will be in, perhaps with at TA/nursery nurse/someone she will see in Reception if her actual teacher is not available.

Original poster

lilllysa · 16/07/2010 19:45

I didnt think so either Sapphireblue!

Managed to speak to someone today that said that her teacher will pop into her class to see her . . Not sure when though as the teacher is busy monday, sports day tues, school trip wed and last day on thurs.

Think I'm going in on Monday and not shifting my bum till I get to speak to someone. Just didnt want to come across as a 'problem' parent before she even starts iyswim

OP posts:

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe · 16/07/2010 20:35

Alarm bells ringing.

I am on maternity leave yet went in today to meet my new class for Sept (unpaid naturally but that's another grumble).

Oblomov · 16/07/2010 20:44

Agree, alarm bells here too. but i don't know what to advise.

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