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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think schools should know where their pupils are?

194 replies

stickeywicket · 02/11/2011 11:12

tried to drop off son's (year 8) lunch today that he had forgotten. Receptionist said she would 'do her best to get it to him - we do have 1500 pupils here.' What?? Surely they all they need to do is look at their timetable and know where he is that way. I wouldn't have minded but her manner was so passive/aggressive. She just kept repeating in a very stressed angry way 'we'll do our best'. I left it at that as my son has just started there and he'd die if he thought I was making any kind of fuss. Should I take it up with the head?

OP posts:
Original poster
stickeywicket · 02/11/2011 13:55

Sorted it out. Spoke to the deputy head (suppose that makes me looks a 'tit'?) but what else are staff there for? I wasn't annoyed about him not getting his lunch but more it was her attitude that irritated. Also I knew there must be some system in place to contact a student. What if I had an urgent message I had to get to him (he doesn't have a mobile) or if one of the staff wanted to contact him. Deputy was lovely and very reassuring. Maisie: this is my point entirely - summed up perfectly. I'm fed up meeting grumpy hormonal receptionists who seem to resent ever having to deal with the public. Yes this dealing with day to day hassle is part of their job. Ds would also never mention he's forgotten his lunch and would go without.

OP posts:
cat64 · 02/11/2011 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cat64 · 02/11/2011 14:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

seeker · 02/11/2011 14:02

You spoke to the deputy head of a 1500 pupil school about your son's lunch? Because " what else are the staff there for?"

Un- bloody -believable!!!!!!!!

seeker · 02/11/2011 14:03

Remember, next time you have q hospital appointment, give the consultant a ring- he'll be happy to sort out your parking tokens. After all, what else is he there for?

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:05

Why are you shaking your head? It's prefectly reasonable for the management team of any organisation to be made aware of poor customer service (aka arsey receptionists).

Given that it's not a problem in other schools to contact pupils using the phone or email to their teachers, it might be an opportunity for the OPs school to improve their communication in this area. The deputy handled it very well, so it sounds as if she'll be open to suggestions.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:07

The consultant isn't there to sort out parking tokens, obviously - but if his secretary had been arsey he'd hopefully want to know so he could deal with it.

worraliberty · 02/11/2011 14:08

Oh your poor child

That's your cards marked for the rest of his time there....

OrmIrian · 02/11/2011 14:10

She is busy. Everyone else is busy. There are hundreds of pupils. It isn't her job (or anyone else's) to run around acting as a personal assistant to kids who forget things. Secondary school pupils are supposed to be more self-sufficient - that's one of the differences with primary school. I imagien she will try to get a message to him and tell him to get his arse into gear and come and fetch it. But she can't guarantee the outcome.

crunchbag · 02/11/2011 14:12

Really, you talked to the deputy Shock :o

And regarding urgent messages, that is not quit the same as forgotten lunch.

OrmIrian · 02/11/2011 14:13

Oh dear..... Hmm

SardineQueen · 02/11/2011 14:16

Good lord you didn't really do that did you? Shock

Don't know whether to laugh or cry!

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:19

Yes, that's what she'd do, Orm, once the parent had left (hopefully not exactly telling him to get his arse into gear Grin), but to the parent, as the school receptionist and therefore the first impression of the school for visitors, she should smile, say "yes, that's fine, I'll see that he gets it".

Then a call or email to his teacher. Then a 'get down here for your lunch and try not to do it again'

Really not hard. My Dcs are at a school with more pupils (and it's state!) and that's the reaction you get there. It's just like grumpy receptionists who roll their eyes when you ask to see a GP - I mean, honestly, can't patients see how busy they are?

activate · 02/11/2011 14:20

Oh this thread has really cheered me up

what a tit

Hullygully · 02/11/2011 14:22

I agree with Maisie

Can't stand the Parents Are Enemies attitude.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:26

The tit isn't the OP

activate · 02/11/2011 14:31

oh yes she is

oh no she isn't

oh I do look forward to pantomime season

think what you like - she has labelled herself at that school now

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:33

She hasn't labelled herself at all - the vast majority of schools are far more professional than you're giving them credit for.

Although if this particular arsey receptionist wants to give the OP a label I'm sure stickywicket won't lose any sleep over it.

Andrewofgg · 02/11/2011 14:34

I think Year 8's should know where their lunchboxes are!

zippadeedoodaa · 02/11/2011 14:35

Deputy was lovely and reassuaring
Oh boy ...
What else are the staff there for
eeeerrrmmm at a guess to teach your child and ensure the school runs as efficiently as possible

startail · 02/11/2011 14:38

I'm always amazed how nice, patient and efficemt DD1s 1400 pupil comp are with forgotten things and messages. Reception are great.
The primary, who have ~100 pupils can be more difficult. Main problem is skinflint council won't provide a full time bursar. So there isn't always anyone to answer the phone and when there is they have 3 things to do at once.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 02/11/2011 14:40

She was the receptionist - afaik they don't teach or run the school.

handbagCrab · 02/11/2011 14:40

Can't believe you contacted a deputy head about this, a 'passive aggressive receptionist' indeed! People who work in schools aren't all sat around all day waiting to deal with incredibly minor issues which were caused by your own carelessness.

In secondary your child doesn't stay with one teacher so are not so easy to find particularly at lesson changeover or break and the majority of teachers they do have don't have access to a phone/ time to check their email whilst teaching. In fact it would be unprofessional to answer calls/ read email whilst teaching and I imagine you'd be the first onto the head if this happened in your child's lessons. Obviously an urgent message would be passed on well, urgently, but this wasn't urgent was it?

HildaOgden · 02/11/2011 16:25

Oh Lordie,lordie,lordie sighs.

You have now A)pissed the school secretary off (good luck with having her help you when you actually have a real problem that needs sorting).
B)Given the deputy head the distinct impression that you are a fusspot.
C)Missed an opportunity to teach your son the valuing of checking that he actually has everything with him that he will need for the day.

So yes,I think you were unreasonable.

zippadeedoodaa · 02/11/2011 16:28

The " receptionist" at our school is also the bursar as is the case in many schools so yes does help things "run efficiently". Most school receptionists do far more than just answer phones and look pretty Hmm