Long meetings

[Mosschopz]

I'm an assistant head in large secondary school. Senior Leadership meetings are Tuesday nights 3-5pm usually, but often go on til 5.30-5.45. If I leave at 5pm I can get to nursery to collect DS (2yo) before closing time but that means missing the end of the meeting so I usually ask DH to leave work early that night and get him. He usually has to make up the flexitime by working later the rest of the week (and often Saturdays) OR swap with others (if possible) so it's not great but it's what we feel we have to do, like other working parents. I don't want others on the team at work to see me as not pulling my weight as they all stay until the bitter end even though at least three of them have kids under the age of 5 (BUT they have wives who do the pick-ups!).

AIBU to tell the head staying after 5pm has to be the exception rather than the rule for us as it's really awkward to do it every week? He seems ok with it so far, he hasn't said anything to me, but does have a good old 'general' moan about the staff being slack every week at that meeting!

Incidentally, I bust a gut for the place and work every evening of the week after putting DS to bed.

[stealthsquiggle]

It's just pointless and annoying (and unprofessional - teachers are expected to stick to a scheduled time slot, why shouldn't the head be?)

I have no brilliant ideas on how to get that across without being labelled as 'the one with childcare problems' though - maybe recruit a child-free ally to bring it up?

[maddening]

^^ what catmint said

Are there lots of periods of unproductive chat in these meetings? If not and the whole time is used for important and relevant discussion then a longer meeting should be scheduled but if it is faff and chat then either raise this issue or try actively to get the meeting back on track every time they go off on a tangent.

[Littleturkish]

I agree this is about a need to run the meeting more effectively.

Do you take turns to minute the meeting?

If you do, I would say it would help the person minuting to have an agenda- get the head to do it- DO NOT offer. If you don't have minutes taken, suggest they should be, and that an agenda would aid this.

As a/head, I think you could legitimately request turns chairing as part of your own development- demonstrate to your head what a good meeting looks like ;)

[CrunchyFrog]

My SMT started having the weekly meetings at 7.45 am, with a post school one once a month. Suited me, I got there at 7 anyway but needed to leave by 4.30.
Meetings are far better in the morning.

[bigTillyMint]

I agree - people are more focused when they have to be in class for 9 or 8.45 or whatever!