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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this isnt a terrible request re school.

62 replies

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 06/12/2011 16:37

To ask for a list of the childrens names in DS's class so I can write his Christmas cards?

I asked his teacher yesterday, and she told me I would have to speak to the office. Spoke to the office who said they would have to speak to the Head and the Head said no, because its too sensitive.

I only want a list of first names. I am only asking because DS cant tell me then names of the children in his class as he has a speech delay and ASD.

OP posts:

Original poster

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 06/12/2011 16:37

I honestly wouldnt mind DS's Christian name being given out to a parent.

OP posts:

2BoysTooLoud · 06/12/2011 16:41

We are given class lists of 1st names.

Sparklingbaubles · 06/12/2011 16:41

DS2 bought his class list home tonight. Names and surnames. Is that bad?

whoneedssleepanyway · 06/12/2011 16:42

Why doesn't he just write cards to the ones he is friends with...?

Think it is a bit crazy they won't give you a list of first names though...

BoattoBolivia · 06/12/2011 16:43

As a teacher, i don't think it is an unreasonable request. In fact, with older children i have been known to use it as handwriting practice! I know the school i work at now has a no giving out class lists for Christmas cards policy but I am not sure why ( not been there long and only cover classes 2 days a week)
I can see that it does work out expensive on photocopying and some schools are having to trim costs very very carefully.

Oggy · 06/12/2011 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo · 06/12/2011 16:45

Schools interpret the Data Prtection rules differently. One school my dc went to would not give names out, the other was perfectly happy to do so.

halcyondays · 06/12/2011 16:46

Yanbu, I asked for a list of names of all the children in dd's class last year, they seemed abut dubious at first, but when I explained I just wanted first names so I could do Xmas cards, they did provide me with a list. I'd hardly call it sensitive information, I knew most of them anyway, but just wantd to check that I'd not missed anybody out and that I'd spelt the names right. After all, first names are hardly a state secret.

JoandMax · 06/12/2011 16:47

We had a list given out with all names and surnames for DS1s pre-school, that seems a bit of a random refusal!

ProfYaffle · 06/12/2011 16:47

We're not allowed class lists either - no idea why not. What tends to happen is when the new class lists are posted, briefly, on the noticeboards in the summer term so we all know which class our child is in the following year, everyone takes photos on their phones and they're enthusiastically circulated. Bonkers.

halcyondays · 06/12/2011 16:48

Actually when she she had started at the school, we had been given a list of full names so we knew when each child was supposed to start, so they couldn't really object.

Hulababy · 06/12/2011 16:49

From DD's school we have a contacts list. It lists the child's name and date of birth, their parent's name(s), address and arent's contact number and email. We submit updated info at the start of each year. Noone in DD's class has refused/declined to have their details included.

I am not sure about the school I work at tbh, but I can't see it being an issue - certainly not just a list of first names. TBH any parent could get that information anyway as their names are on their pegs outside the classroom and on their drawers in class.

No idea why first names (or even full names) would be deemed sensitive information.

mypersonalfavourite · 06/12/2011 16:50

Does he have a ta who could do the cards with him? It's not fair that he misses out because he can't tell you like other children can?

TimeWasting · 06/12/2011 16:51

They've got them ready printed out at nursery. I didn't take one as it's a bloody rotten waste of cardboard and my time.

FourThousandHoles · 06/12/2011 16:51

We get lists at dd2's nursery and dd1 got a list in reception

In y1 upwards no list, however I was happy for her to choose who to send a card to, and she generally sends 10-15 cards.

Can't see the point in sending a card to 30 children just for the sake of it. Where would it end? There's actually 90 per year at her school. The whole class? The whole year? I'd rather she decided herself with a bit of nudging from me towards names she often talks about that she may have inadvertantly left off her list

Imnotaslimjim · 06/12/2011 16:52

DS's school has told us tonight that they are sending a class list home for cards tomorrow. Was supposed to be tongiht be there was a delay with photocopying. Really don't see the problem!

FourThousandHoles · 06/12/2011 16:53

Oh bugger sorry, skim read and missed the bit about speech delay. Might be worth a quick word with his teacher, she may be able to tell you verbally if lists are a no-no? Seems odd they won't help him out.

Beanbagz · 06/12/2011 16:54

One of the Mums in each of my children's classes organised a list of children & their parents (including names, addresses & telephone numbers) before they started at the school.

All the parents consented to this and it meant we could organise playdate before they even started school (handy especially for the child with an end of August birthday who had a party to meet all his new classmates).

Maybe you should try asking the mums of a few of the other children to see if you can put together a full class list?

Or just send in cards written with "Merry Christmas from (your son name)" and leave the teacher to fill the names in on the envelopes. Presumabely she will tell you how many there are in the class?

bagpuss · 06/12/2011 16:54

Our school won't because there are a number of children at the school who are in care (for the same reason, we are not allowed to take photos at school events). Presumably this is done to protect the children's identities which is fair enough. I tend to just ask the dcs to write cards to people they can remember which makes for a much quicker job!

Seona1973 · 06/12/2011 16:54

When Dd was in P1 we were allowed a list but after that they refused quoting child protection reasons. Each year the school does a calendar with photos from each class so we use it when doing cards as it easier to put a name to a face.

ProfYaffle · 06/12/2011 16:54

When I asked the school receptionist for a class list when dd1 was in reception she said they wouldn't give lists out but, if I liked, I could go in with my cards and read them out to her, she would then go through the list and tell me who I'd missed!

Almondroca · 06/12/2011 16:55

Do you know any of the other mums? I would give you the list if you were another mum from my son's class because I am nosy worked out who was who within a week or so of them starting school!

nickelbabe · 06/12/2011 16:56

the only way i can see round the problem is for your DS to write enough cards to cover the class, and not put their names in them or on the envelope, and then hand them out to everyone.

valiumredhead · 06/12/2011 16:56

Just put MERRY XMAS on the front of the envelope and inside the card write from ds. Sorted.

Original poster

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 06/12/2011 16:56

DS doesnt have any friends - his social skills are poor and he is a bit of a loner.

I cant pick and choose the children because I dont know who I am picking from, and I want DS to fit in a bit if that makes sense, so I dont want to miss anyone out.

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