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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School reception was rude to me

315 replies

Avalaura · 14/05/2019 09:08

Do I have the right to be angry?
My son moved school and today I forgot to give him some money for a stall were they will be selling buns. So i went to recpetion to see if anyone could give the money to him because they always did at the other school. And she just said " I haven't got time for that I'm afraid I've got other things to do " and then when I walked away she said to other people in the corridor that she has other things to do not bother with that. Then I waited for the reception door to open because it's a lock one. Then she said the other woman that she said she could take it up for her but she can't bother with silly things like that. Im so angry should I complain?

OP posts:
DaisiesAreOurSilver · 14/05/2019 09:09

You were ride to even ask. It's a very bust time of day for school receptionists, far too busy to run errands for forgetful parents.

DaisiesAreOurSilver · 14/05/2019 09:10

*rude not ride.

Langrish · 14/05/2019 09:11

No of course you don’t have a right to be angry 🙄

SarahTancredi · 14/05/2019 09:12

You were really rude to ask for the money.

If they had it they wouldnt he selling bums to raise it would they.

Did u seriously get the other school to pay for your son too?

Cakeandcustard123 · 14/05/2019 09:15

I think OP means she gave the forgotten money to the receptionist and asked her to pass it on to her son, not that she asked the receptionist to provide the money.

my2bundles · 14/05/2019 09:15

Sarah she didn't ask for money. OP was asking them to pass on money to her some which she was going to give them I wouldn't complain but understand why you are upset. At my son's school they always pass on forgotten items to children.

Cakeandcustard123 · 14/05/2019 09:15

I think the OP means she gave the forgotten money to the receptionist and asked her to pass it on to her son, not that she asked the receptionist to provide the money.

recrudescence · 14/05/2019 09:15

If they had it they wouldnt he selling bums to raise it would they.

Grin
HBStowe · 14/05/2019 09:17

Yanbu, she was rude. Even if she didn’t have time to assist, there’s no reason for not explaining that politely.

SarahTancredi · 14/05/2019 09:18

In that case I apologise I mis understood.

However there have also been threads where schools have given money or items to the kids then parents have kicked off when asked to cover the costs or bring something in.

This is one of those situations where they cant win.

Plus schools would spend all day chasing kids.

Again apologies for misunderstanding Flowers

IAmTheChosenOne · 14/05/2019 09:18

It is not the school secretarys job to run round the school looking for a particular pupil. As a receptionist she is the Front of House and thats her job.

You forgot to give him money. This is down to you. And you make a habit of it >>>>> So i went to recpetion to see if anyone could give the money to him because they always did at the other school

DesparateDino · 14/05/2019 09:18

They do sound rude. All the schools my kids have ever attended they have always been more than happy to pass stuff on. Forgotten kits, lunch money etc.

Bezalelle · 14/05/2019 09:18

You asked the reception to give their own money to your son? Or money you would pass on to him via them?

First case, super-cheeky. Second case, cheeky.

Reception isn't a bank.

SleepingStandingUp · 14/05/2019 09:19

OP this would be acceptable in our school. The receptionists would rather take the money down at some point that a kid miss out because of a parental mistake. I once had to go to the shop to get cash and change to come all the way back to give them 50p to pass down so he could buy a cake.

They were really rude, and it's very unprofessional to talk about a parent like that to others but not sure if a complaint will help if it's your word against hers.

Original poster
Avalaura · 14/05/2019 09:20

No I was trying to give them the money to give to my son

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 14/05/2019 09:20

DD has SEN and although I set everything up, she would lose her head if it wasn't attached. The receptionist is known for taking no shit. I bride her at Christmas and Easter with a small gift and card to thank her for her efforts.
Yabu for getting angry, it is not her job.

NeatFreakMama · 14/05/2019 09:21

I don’t know much about it but surely this is the type of thing under their remit? Otherwise what do they do?

TeddiesAreTakingOver · 14/05/2019 09:21

I don’t think she asked to be given money! She handed money to reception and asked for it to be passed on to her son.

I do think they where rude to to give him the money. They could have contacted his teacher and he could have collected the money from reception.

EmeraldShamrock · 14/05/2019 09:21

To add She could have obliged, I would.

Youngandfree · 14/05/2019 09:22

Yeah I think you’re being precious here! It’s not her job! Why could you just not ask to go back in to your child and hand over the money??

TeddiesAreTakingOver · 14/05/2019 09:22

*to not give him the money that should have said.

SleepingStandingUp · 14/05/2019 09:22

It is not the school secretarys job to run round the school looking for a particular pupil or you know, to his classroom to his teacher? I don't think anyone is suggesting waiting til say lunch time then hunting through the playground

Fionadragon · 14/05/2019 09:23

Very rude of her, it’s part of pastoral care and most receptionists would do it with a smile. Everyone is busy, everyone needs a hand once in a while.

Italiandreams · 14/05/2019 09:23

If you were just asking them to pass on your money, of course that’s fine. I have worked in several schools and that would never be an issue. Parents regularly drop in lunches/ PE kits/ money for events etc , it would just be seen as part of the job to pass things in to child.

Ilovemylabrador · 14/05/2019 09:23

Yes. That’s fine but it is Sats today so maybe cut them a bit of slacks. Mine always have a point coin taped in the bottom of their bag (black tape can’t see it) for ‘emergencies’ such as forgetting non uniform money etc. Some schools have no cash policy at reception.