...to expect ^some^ --any-- information from school about long-term teacher absence?

[CSLewis]

KS1 teacher, has been absent since before the summer half-term.

Since then my daughter's Year 1 class has sat their Phonics test.

Two weeks ago I asked the Deputy Head what the story was regarding her class teacher, and was told a letter was going out to parents.

Still no letter, so today I asked the Head the same thing, and was told again that a letter was going out (apparently today but I'll believe it when I see it), and that she was due to have a conversation with him this afternoon about some medical results, after which she'd know more.

Head was very defensive and clearly annoyed at me for harping on about the total lack of any communication from the school about the absence (now going on 2 months) of this (very nice) teacher.

I told her that I do understand their difficulty if they don't know if/when teachers will be back from sick-leave; I also understand how difficult it can be to recruit decent staff, let alone decent cover/supply... it's BECAUSE I understand the difficulty that I'm worried about the situation of my daughter's class!

AIBU? To want to be kept informed of who is teaching my child? To think that the school could have kept us informed (in general terms, I understand the teacher has a right to privacy) as to the likely situation going forward, a little earlier on? Because it sounds like the Head thinks I am!

I don't know, I think if it's a different person covering each week with no continuity of teaching, then it is reasonable to question the management of the cover. But the OP doesn't say if that's the case, other than the batshit comment about parental engagement (which is clearly about doing things like reading with your kids at home, rather than making a fuss about a teacher being off).

the last GP practice I worked in had a very active committee which included patient input and they were very much valued and listened to

But are the children being told who is going to be teaching them? I remember when my DS was in KS1, whenever they had a supply teacher coming in to teach them, they were told in advance who it would be. School always used the same few teachers where possible - 2 of them even had the same name (they were MIL and DIL) and the children even knew which one they were getting. As long as your child is being taught I can't see what your problem is - presumably she isn't cominh home saying that she played around all day because there was no teacher - if that was the case then you would have every right to be concerned - otherwise let the school do their job and if you don't trust them to do that then maybe you haven't sent your DD to the right school.

Scarlettsiena yes I have thank you.

Its very likely that the school are having to be diplomatic because they are dealing with a sensitive situation. They aren't intentionally holding information from you. I think the focus should be more on how the are providing cover so that you child maintains adequate progress.

When I had a long term absence through sickness I encountered this from a pupil on my first day back:

"We got told you had a breakdown, and we're going to make sure we give you another one"

However in this case it could well be that the teacher is getting short term sick notes and it's difficult for the school to plan long term.

Actually hospitals do have a number of community or patient sessions so that they do get a say (somewhat) as to how a hospital is run. The whole idea is about transparency - on most wards now staffing levels are displayed etc.

I think it's a bit off to say myob when you're asking what the general plan for teaching your dc is. Often we get threads lamenting parents lack of interest as to what their kids get up to day to day.

Jenny, then you must have missed the post where she has already addressed what you've said.

Having community sessions is surely just to make people feel more involved by letting them comment on minor things? I doubt people's (no doubt widely varying) ideas would really be taken into account when it comes to actual management decisions like staffing. Which is why a school might ask parents whether they should buy a new climbing frame or a playground shelter, but would not ask parents for their views on what should be done about the staffing shortage, which subjects should be offered in the 6th form or what the bullying policy should be. Apart from anything else, parents tend to be biased towards the requirements of their own child.

Of course you need to be involved in their education , they come home and you say ' what did you do today ' , if they answer maths / English whatever all good , if they say well we didn't have a teacher so we ran riot in the playground all day , you go and see the school. As long as the teacher they are having is teaching them something appropriate I can't see the issue with who the teacher is .

Eolian, a school shouldn't be asking parents' opinions over staffing, but they can keep parents updated on how they are managing it. Mind you, this is year 1 we are talking about and the OP does seem rather over the top in their concern. (A missed phonics test )

I think good schools do keep parents informed when class teachers are off for any length of time.

In 2 different schools, in 3 different classes for 2 different DC, I have had letters along the lines of "Teacher X is unable to work at present, and we are covering the class by [insert appropriate supply/head teacher/ rearranging timetables] and will keep you informed of the situation. Our priority at all times is the welfare and education of the children, so if you have any concerns please feel free to contact me to discuss, signed The Head"

That's what I'd expect from a good school. It's pretty ludicrous to say parents shouldn't be concerned with "how they run the school" or expect to be advised of long term absences- we're invested in our children's education and it's supposed to be a partnership between school and home.

You don't need to know why! End of!

She isn't asking to know why!

ScarletSienna I've read what she's put, I don't agree, I just think she nosy and only had the right to ask if the supply teacher was changing nothing else. Maybe you should worry about your own opinion rather than mine.

Jenny, at no point over the last 6-8 weeks have we even been that told the teacher was absent, let alone told anything about what cover was being/will be put in place.

I wasn't seeking any information about the teacher (though I sincerely hope he's not seriously ill; he's a really nice guy, and my daughter loved him); I was hoping for some (any!) communication from the school regarding the extended, and completely unmentioned, absence.

As I said in my OP, I do totally understand how difficult these kinds of situation are for the school; I just hoped that the SMT might, for their part, understand why parents might like to be kept vaguely in the loop as to who is responsible, day-to-day, for their DC's education - if not their class teacher.

Given that most of the parents on Mumsnet seem to think that an extremely unreasonable expectation, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the Head/Deputy think so too!

Nosquirrels, yes, that's exactly the kind of thing I mean!

The soil is under no obligation to inform you of supply. Also, it's very difficult for schools to discuss timeframes with parents as they can then be held accountable by the returning member of staff for being presumptuous, pressurising, all sorts. It can turn out very badly.

YABU.

Soil? School!

Some pretty harsh responses on here. I think yes, you absolutely have a right to know who is teaching your child. I think the head is in a tricky position, tho and obviously can't and shouldn't give out personal info on a member of staff.

I know someone who was off for the majority of a school year. At no point did I ask why, it's none of my business.

YABU. And dramatic. Your dd is year 1, it was a phonics test. Is this the worst thing happening in your life right now? If so, celebrate and then move the fuck on.

Harsh but . I think a letter explaining the cover wouldn't be a bad idea but there are lots of reasons why they might not be able to do this. You are coming across as nosy in your post OP which is maybe why you've had the replies you have had, both here and from the school. Have a look at your previous interactions with the school and ask yourself if you have given them any reason to be defensive.

Brigante (and others), AT NO POINT have I asked for information as to the reasons for this teacher's absence. I agree, it's none of my business.

I would have thought my DCs education WAS my business though; and I actually find this attitude of 'well as long as she has some sort of teacher in front of her, what more do you want? And how very dare you expect any communication AT ALL from the school' quite depressing.

As to the phonics test that so many of you have sneered at my raising - I think some of you may not be aware that this is a National Screening Test, sat by every Year 1 pupil in the country, and is used to determine which DC need extra support in literacy going forward (if they get below a certain mark). It's not just a weekly spelling test. They've been studying for it since Christmas, and (although I personally cannot get very excited about it) I expect the school to take it seriously, and communicate with parents about it; in this case, it happened while their class teacher was off sick, so we didn't know who administered the test instead, or when we'll receive the results, etc etc.

I'm with you, OP. Good communication doesn't have to mean breaking any confidentiality. It just had to mean acknowledging to the parents that the class teacher is away and the cover is being handled so as not to disrupt the children's learning. The letter acts as reassurance so that school doesn't have to deal with 30 enquiries about "Johnny said Mrs X isn't going to be at school until the end of term, what's happening?"