To think this headteacher was wrong

[ellielong]

story

Surely whatever the parent posted in her Facebook was her own private business?

Well a quiet word with the teacher certainly would have been better from the school’s perspective (as would not giving out the shit homework on the first place) but surely once the homework was given and it was made public the HTs job was damage limitation and he has only succeeded in making a bad situation worse.

BumsexAtTheBingo

From everybody's perspextive, I would imagine. The parent in question will now be persona non grata at the school. I wouldn't want that, personally. Whenever I wanted a favour from a teacher - a lost item located, a birthday invitation given out on a certain day, a lost reading book overlooked rather than charged for - I certainly wouldn't wish to be this parent.

Well if they were professional then I wouldn’t expect the parent to be punished for daring to publicly post homework. But the staff don’t seem particularly professional so you’re probably right. I would probably be looking at another school due to both the nonsensical homework and, moreso, the unprofessional headteacher.

To be honest if my child came home with completely incoherent homework and be straight on Facebook/mumsnet

I get why he's upset. I'd be annoyed if my teaching staff had not noticed that many errors in the sheet but it isn't defamatory. That implies that it isn't true when we can also see that it is.

BumsexAtTheBingo

It's not unprofessional not to do favours for someone who behaves towards you as though they have zero consideration or respect for you. Professional is doing your job, not more on top.

Really poor handling by the school. I don't agree with using fb in that way but people do - I manage our hospital social media and you wouldn't believe what I see. We always reply to any concerns by directing people off FB to discuss concerns with us. It's not deformation if it's factually correct they handed out rubbish homework. School can go back with a statement:

"We are always keen to work with parents in partnership so I'm disappointed this family chose to voice their concerns over Facebook rather than directly with the teacher or leadership team.

"We will be looking into the concerns raised and will be working with our staff and governors to review our homework policy."

Job done! But heads have no media training and freak out about social media. Talking to the parents in a mature manner is far more likely to encourage better engagement rather than continuing WhatsApp groups etc.

I hate spelling mistakes from school, it looks sloppy.
I find at least 2 or 3 on the monthly newsletter every month. The school use google calendar and stuff is spelled wrong on there all the time, it pisses me off because it’s on my phone and I can’t correct it.
This month we’ve had flu nasule spray, simming lessons and parants evening
I don’t put it on FB though I just quietly seethe instead.

Well we’ll have to agree to differ. I think treating a parent and child differently due to a previous grievance is unprofessional. Maybe you don’t.

BumsexAtTheBingo

Nope. I don't do favours for people who treat me poorly and with no respect. I am more likely to withdraw favours across the board than I am to go on doing them for someone who publicly calls me an idiot.

Well firstly no-one has been called an idiot and secondly if you’d send a kid home without a coat due to the actions of their parents you’re unprofessional.

BumsexAtTheBingo

That is nonsense. It isn't the teacher's job to find lost property. If I did so, it would be as a favour.

No it’s not part of their job but if you’d decide to send a child home cold because of the actions of their parent I still think that is petty and unprofessional. The child has done nothing wrong. I doubt we’re going to agree.

BumsexAtTheBingo

I wouldn't. I would just tell the parent to come in and find it. The child is their responsibility on the way home. And no, we are no going to agree that it is fine to treat people in this way and then expect them to run around after you. If you want professional, you get it, but you don't get nice and kind as well, unless that is usually reciprocated.

What is 4 across meant to be?!

Well in fairness they weren’t getting professional before were they? They were getting homework that the child would probably have made a better attempt at putting together themselves.
It must be really tiring having to keep track of which parents have complained about anything so you know which ones you are willing to help 😂

BumsexAtTheBingo

Not really. But I am prepared to put the time in, as needs be.

I’m sure parents would survive having to find their own kids coats anyway. Standard practice at our school and I haven’t complained about anyone. I’m sure you’d feel better making your little point though.

Brokendown18 Never done it myself but do see that shaming on social media gets results. Its clearly not appropriate for every single typo to appear on fb but i cant blame the parent.

If you treat a child or parent differently from everyone else surely thats discrimination and unprofessional. I'm shocked that anyone thinks this is okay.

And fawning round the parents who have the sense to suck up mistake riddled homework. It probably makes you look really good and professional.

BumsexAtTheBingo

Ironic, really, talking about me feeling better making my little point. What about the Facebook post? Is that not doing exactly that?

Jenny17

It is indeed discrimination, in the old-fashioned sense. I do favours for people I like and who treat me decently. Not arseholes who think it is fine to publicly embarrass me and then ask me to do things I don't have to do.

Absolutely. The difference is that you are being petty and choosing to hold grudges that affect how you treat people in a professional capacity at work.

BumsexAtTheBingo

It isn't petty. If someone goes out of their way to treat me poorly, I am well within my rights not to do them favours. I don't care one iota what anyone else thinks about that.

Oh, and "grudges" are things you hold after matters are resolved and proper apologies issued. It isn't holding a grudge to dislike someone because they behave badly to you.