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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a bit more notice?

26 replies

SweetnessAndShite · 27/05/2011 18:45

DS has come home from school (primary) today - the last day before half term - with a letter to say that when they go back the school day will start 10 miinutes earlier! AIBU to think this is ridiculously short notice? My son went to a friends after school so I didn't get the letter till 6pm when there's no one at school to complain to. Does anyone know if the governors need to approve such a change? Shouldn't parents be consulted first? I will now have a 25 minute wait with my 3 yr old before pre-school opens as the school didn't have the courtesy to let them know so they could perhaps change the times too.

A new head started after Easter and seems to be making changes here there and everywhere just to put her mark on things rather than for the good of the school. Pah!

OP posts:
Eglu · 27/05/2011 18:46

YANBU. That is not a lot of notice at all.

GypsyMoth · 27/05/2011 18:50

we have had similiar here too....new head,some new rules imposed via newsletter this afternoon!!

BobbaFettBountyHunter · 27/05/2011 18:50

YABU imo, we usually get letters for things more last minute than that, and normally get to school about 10 mins early anyway, it is only 10 mins.

Scholes34 · 27/05/2011 18:57

Oooh, lots of time to network in the playground! Bit short notice though, I must agree.

Popbiscuit · 27/05/2011 19:04

I would be v. v. cross. That would muck up my morning considerably. YANBU.

worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:06

Yes, the Governors would have had to ok it, but they don't have to consult the parents.

GypsyMoth · 27/05/2011 19:08

i'm starting another thread with my query,dont want to nick yours op!

Original poster
SweetnessAndShite · 27/05/2011 19:12

OK I have phoned the head of governors (he'll love me calling on a Friday night, I know) Apparently the governors agreed it on 12th May so that was 2 weeks ago. It's something to do with the required number of teaching hours. I know it's only 10 minutes. It's the notice that makes me cross not the actual timing change. I am chair at the preschool and would have liked some notice so we could consider how to fit in with it.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:14

I doubt for the sake of ten minutes they thought anyone would need more than a weeks notice.

YellowDinosaur · 27/05/2011 19:17

If the preschool is actually attached to this school then YANBU - plenty of people will be in a similar situation of having to hang around for 25 minutes (which is a long time in the rain / wind / cold with a small child tbh).

If it is totally unrelated YABU as the chair of a preschool to change the start times to suit you, but I am sure that wasn't the case was it?

cantpickaname · 27/05/2011 19:18

If there are changes to the start or end of the school day then it can only happen at the beginning of a school year IF the school is state/local authority. Private or VA schools can change at any time. Consultation with parents and pupils should be done as a matter of good practice. If it's an issue with teaching hours then they can fiddle around internally with breaks etc to their hearts content. Can you tell we've just been through this?

Original poster
SweetnessAndShite · 27/05/2011 19:27

Oh thanks can'tpick that is really interestting. Do you have a source for that info please?

No the preschool isn't attached to the school but we are a small village so 99% of the preschool age siblings come to us. Therefore there are several parents in my position (I don't want to change preschool times to "suit me" I just would have liked the opportunity for the committee/staff/parents to consider whether we should)

OP posts:
cantpickaname · 27/05/2011 19:31

I think I got the info from Dept for Education website originally but all the government advice websites have changed recently. If you google changing times of school day, you should find loads. I'll have a look

cantpickaname · 27/05/2011 19:35

This is my first time on mumsnet so not quite got the hang of things/links etc but this is a great link - even more legally restrictive than I remembered.
www.teachers.org.uk/files/502_0.pdf

worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:37

The school can apply for the power to Innovate...thus overriding that if accepted.

cantpickaname · 27/05/2011 19:39

Would they have had time though if the Head was only appointed at Easter and the govs only approved te change two weeks ago?

cantpickaname · 27/05/2011 19:41

And I do like the phrase 'power to Innovate'. It's reminds me of 'Strong....as a woman'

worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:41

I don't know really. I'm not sure how long it takes to be honest.

worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:42

Lol it reminds me of a toilet limescale cleaner for some reason Grin

MrsLukeDanes · 27/05/2011 19:44

We had to add 10 minutes to each school day recently and so chopped 5 minutes off break and lunch time. Much less disruptive - did they consider this?

IprivateI · 27/05/2011 19:44

....Wow a whole 10 mins. Take your child out of the school and inform the time police.

Abelia · 27/05/2011 19:45

I think it's a bit crap that they communicate this by newsletter the day that half term starts. What are the chances that some parents won't even see this newsletter? Unless you have good system of notes in bags etc. What if your child was off sick today? (or you'd scarpered off on holiday early ...)

Good schools know how to communicate with parents, staff and anyone in the local community who might be affected by their decisions. You don't always have to consult, but it's just courtsey to tell people about your plans with some more notice.

Original poster
SweetnessAndShite · 27/05/2011 19:47

Thanks Abelia. Those were my exact feelings.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 27/05/2011 19:54

I think the school have acted ok really.

They've changed the time by ten minutes and given ten days notice.

How much notice would you have liked?

MrsLukeDanes · 27/05/2011 20:31

Ok, read thread and had dinner now! The school have acted within their guidelines (consulted governors, informed you etc.) However, a little good will goes a long way and I think that with a change that DOES impact parents, childcare perhaps, siblings etc then I think that they could've started implementing this from September. 10 minutes less school a day for half a term (when to be honest, they will lose lessons like crazy to Sports Day, end of year assemblies, productions etc.) will not affect the children in any way, considering they have presumably coped ok so far!!