to not want my son's friend's mum to be his teacher?

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Our school - very wrongly in my opinion but if that's the way they work, then I will have to do the same to ensure fairness for my children - are very much swayed by what the parents want.

We have two classes for every year group, and every year majority of parents have requested which teacher they want and this has been granted. I've never requested, as I've not been opinionated enough on either teacher every year to request.

The other parents have already started giving their opinions in as to which teacher they want to the head.

Now my son has a group of friends, that are all very close, and they are split between the two classes. One of these boys' mother is one of next year's teachers.

I do not want her to be my son's teacher as a) it will mean my son is definitely not in her son's class which he'd like to be
b) I will feel very awkard if there is anything that i'm not happy with, as don't want to make it awkward seeing her for playdates etc.
c) the one I'll most likely be flamed for - I don't like the whole concept of teachers and children being at same school.

AIBU to have my only reason for not having this teacher is due to the relationship? Or when I put my request into the school do I need to make up an alternative reason?

I believe she is a good teacher, but no better/worse than the other teacher, and if there wasn't this relationship as in other years, I wouldn't be giving an opinion, and wouldn't mind which class he went into.

Where did I read that definition? Are you serious? I am a member of a community. It is a small town. We live here, we work here, we send our children to school here. Many families have lived here for generations. There are complex kinship and social networks. Are you saying that anyone who has a job that brings them into contact with other members of the community should have to commute to work in some location? Why?

I teach at a school in the community that I live in. My DD attends the same school. We will never end up in the same class/year group because it wouldn't make sense for anyone.

If your DC's school is weird enough to let the parents have a choice over which teacher their DC has each year I would be worried as to what else the parents are in control of.

Put a request in stating that you'd like your DS to be in the same class as his best friend. I always find requests are more likely to be granted if they are positive than if they are negative.

What happens when more parents want one of the teachers?
Some must get disappointed, surely?

My HT would only take notice if there was a major problem, otherwise it's her decision.

just a quick one thrown in. what would you do if in a few years time when it comes to your child moving to secondary school he ends up at a different one to his best friend? i may get flamed here but surely if they are that close they will have break time and dinner time to see each other.

HM - I'm not that concerned about the friendship as I said in the OP that my son is part of a gang, and they are split between the two classes.

I was saying my son would prefer it, and as I have my concerns re friendship/teacher relationship, it seems a natural preference to have.

With regards to too many wanting one - the other class is heavier, and like in previous years that I've not given an opinion, there are enough parents to fill the other side. The advantage is the school's not full.

Actually it is considered unethical for a GP to treat a member of his family so yes they would have to at least use a different doctor in the same surgery.Lawyers also have rules about acting for family members

IME schools which give the parents too much say are doomed.Strong leadership is the way to go.
We are in a small village pof 500 inhabitants and virtually all the staff live here.It is inevitable that your kids will get taught by a friend, and yes people do fall out with them over their kids, ir fall out over other village affairs which can spill over into school.So I will say YANBU

I teach in the village where I live and my son is in the school - I have never taught him, although other teachers HAVE taught their own children - I don't think it would work for my own son or me. But obviously he has friends at school and in the village who come to play/stay over - never been a problem. I am also a member of village book club and socialise regularly with my friends in the village - most of whose kids go to our school. Work is separate from personal life no?