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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a word with the headteacher about this TA???

38 replies

mosschops30 · 15/09/2010 18:05

ds1 has just gone into year one. In the morning the TA's for reception and year one stand at the top of the steps and the children go down the steps and into their cloakrooms.
Last year the TA for reception was always on the ball, seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, even if she was talking to another parent, she would still note if a child went past her, she knew who was in and who was out.

However this year the TA, two days this week has been having a chat about personal things with 2 different mums (one was her apartment in spain, this morning was just some random convo). So I waited until ds1 had gone into his cloakroom and then into the class.

They dont like you doing this and last weeks newletter specifically asked parents to leave the playground quickly so children would get themselves sorted, and you are not allowed into the cloakroom which is fair wnough.

I just want this TA to be on the ball with who is going past her, ds1 ran out twice last week to say goodbye to ds2 and she didnt blink an eye.
So AIBU to speak to the head and ask if she can have a quiet word? I dont want to cause any bad feeling because I'll have to see this woman every day for another year but its stressing me out in the mornings with ds1

OP posts:
SandStorm · 15/09/2010 18:10

How do you know she's not on the ball? You'd be surprised what I see when I'm not looking.

Magicmayhem · 15/09/2010 18:12

going to the head is a bit ott if you ask me...

Original poster
mosschops30 · 15/09/2010 18:13

er because he rabn out twice last week whilst she was chatting about her bloody apartment.
I forgot also this morning she was dealing with the yr 6 coming through the walkway whilst year one and reception were going down the steps so no one was watching them

OP posts:
Original poster
mosschops30 · 15/09/2010 18:13

so should I have a word with her magic?

OP posts:
Hardandsleazy · 15/09/2010 18:15

Her first then if not go to head- you have got example (and agree that you can chat and see but doesn't sound like this is case here)

brassband · 15/09/2010 18:17

Um you don't think she did nothing because she knew you were standing close enough by to be able to eavesdrop on her conversation about her holiday apartment.

SandStorm · 15/09/2010 18:17

Doesn't mean she didn't know he'd run out though. You're assuming she's not doing her job because she's not doing it the way you would expect her to do it. Before you complain you need to be very sure of your facts - she may very well have been aware of your presence and knew exactly where your son was and who he was with. Have you asked her?

If you're absolutely sure and you feel you have to say something, talk to the class teacher, not the head. There's a hierarchy in schools, like it or not. If the class teacher can't resolve it, then and only then you might need to think about going higher.

RustyBear · 15/09/2010 18:18

Presumably if your DS1 ran back out to say goodbye to your DS2, you were still there yourself - so the TA may well not have seen any need to call him back.

Not sure why anyone needs to watch the children going down the steps to the cloakroom, unless they are so dangerous that the children can't walk down them safely - in which case that would be a better point to bring up with the head....

ChippingIn · 15/09/2010 18:20

MossChops no, you shouldn't go and talk to the Head - they will look at you like this :) but be thinking this Hmm.

I'm not a TA or a Teacher but I was frequently in charge of large groups of kids and like SandStorm, you'd be suprised what I see when I'm not looking Wink. Just because the TA didn't tell your son off for coming out to say good-bye twice, doesn't mean she didn't see him. Did you tell him off?

Unless your DS is a 'runner' then I don't see why you are worried, he's Year 1, not a newbie in Reception, you should be much more relaxed about things by now.

If there is some reason you haven't yet mentioned then let it go... say goodbye and leave - if there is something, then just do as you did this morning and wait until he's in his class and the doors are closed. If you get spoken too, tell them your concerns.

ThingOne · 15/09/2010 18:22

I've had plenty of random conversations with TAs. That's how I've got to know them.

Magicmayhem · 15/09/2010 18:37

sorry... chips were burning...

I also think that the TA didn't go after him as you were there.. did you tell him off for coming out again?

loved chippingin's description on how the school would think... sums it up nicely...

you could have a word with the TA about your concerns about him running off, so she could keep a special eye on him.... just to make you feel better

Original poster
mosschops30 · 15/09/2010 19:02

well i stand corrected Smile

Im guessing that as its her job in the morning to stand at the steps and make sure they all go down and in safely (as was the case last year), then thats what she should be doing.
Last years TA would greet every child as they went down and knew exactly who had gone in.
Of course I tell him he's not to come out once he's gone down steps

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 15/09/2010 19:23

If you are still there she will assume that you are watching him and leave you to it!

ChippingIn · 15/09/2010 19:47

mosschops she's a woman, she can do both Wink You just want her to be seen to be doing it the same way as the last TA - doing it her way doesn't mean she's not doing it properly and I'd argue she's doing it better as she's getting to know the parents as well :)

PixieOnaLeaf · 15/09/2010 20:14

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Spinkle · 15/09/2010 20:26

Quite.

Believe you me, anyone who works with small children has a 6th sense about where they are or what they were doing.

Complain to the head if you like, but you will just get yourself a fussy reputation.

onceamai · 15/09/2010 20:31

It think this needs tact but the TA is being paid to do a job and the job is to supervise the children. Part of that job is also to present a professional face for the school to ensure parents are confident. She should be doing her job not engaging in personal conversations about personal matters. When the children are sitting in class are they supposed to get on with their lesson or sit and chat to the child next to them?

PixieOnaLeaf · 15/09/2010 20:37

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onceamai · 15/09/2010 20:40

Absolutely real. Isn't she being paid to do the job?

cat64 · 15/09/2010 20:48

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PixieOnaLeaf · 15/09/2010 21:03

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piscesmoon · 15/09/2010 22:18

Schools are supposed to be friendly places where people can have a friendly chat-I would hate my DC to be at a school where the TA was in a straight jacket of what she could say at the beginning of the day! At that age parents tend to try and catch the teacher or TA if they have a concern and the teacher or TA can manage it- and be aware of what is going on-even if the parent doesn't think so! OP was still there-therefore TA would assume (and see) that she was watching her own DC-she wouldn't need to take charge until OP had gone.

grapeandlemon · 15/09/2010 22:21

Why on earth would you complain about her? She is new and trying to build relationships with the parents and how do you know she didn't have things under control?

Give the girl a chance before you pounce on her abilities to do the job she was employed to do.

AnxiousLand · 15/09/2010 22:32

LOL
Won't get u anye=where
The TA in my DS school said my son (suuposed to have been meant in an affectionate way) was a little s hit

Complained

NOTHING

OTHER TA BRUISED AND CUT MY SONS LEGS

NOTHING

COULD GO ON

kim147 · 15/09/2010 23:43

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