Teacher calling every week AIBU?

[TheGoldenNugget]

Just got an email from the school saying from next week they will call me every week to speak to me and my DS. I have a DS in year 2 and DD in nursery, the nursery called me last week to ask how we're doing (didn't even know they were calling) we spoke for a bit, they didn't ask to speak to DD and that was it.

Now I don't mind getting a phone call once to chat, but every week? Really? AIBU? Goodness knows how long this will continue, and they want to call every week!

DC2's teacher is calling once a week and once a week DC2 refuses to talk to her. Much prefer that to DC1's compulsory class video chat...

Normally the teacher would be talking to the kids every day. Once a week doesn’t seem excessive. And teaching children to hold a conversation over the phone is surely a good thing?

Not sure why this would be a problem.

I spent 3 hours today phoning some of my Y11 form. It was lovely to speak to the parents and even better to speak to my girls (all girl form). Even the ones still in bed seemed pleased. We would see our pupils every day so a once a week phone call seems about right.

As mentioned, teachers also have a duty of care. In fact, without going into detail, if I hadn't called, I wouldn't have found out about a huge safeguarding issue which a parent hadn't informed the school about. Because of my phone call, school is now handling a difficult issue which may have otherwise gotten quite serious.

Take it for the gesture that it's intended to be ie, well meaning.

Our school only does this for at risk/vulnerable students who aren't turning up at school right now. Mind you, we have over 1600 students in our high school.
We are going to start calling some of our year 10s from next week - less than half of them have accessed the on line lessons/submitted very little work. We're concerned, despite emails etc., so we have to start calling them next week.

I think it's quite nice, our school haven't done it but would motivate the kids and maybe they'd get honest feedback about the work being set, I feel a bit rude saying how much the kids are hating the format. Not that I want my son to be rude but it's a different type of conversation from coming over like a pushy parent.

Not every week though. Maybe you haven't been sending any work or messages and then they get worried?

As mentioned, teachers also have a duty of care. In fact, without going into detail, if I hadn't called, I wouldn't have found out about a huge safeguarding issue which a parent hadn't informed the school about. Because of my phone call, school is now handling a difficult issue which may have otherwise gotten quite serious.*

Wow feel really bad now

I get calls from teachers every day, I think it's helpful.

But two of my children have EHCPs, so it's May nit be for everyone

We are told to make the calls, some children we have to call twice a week, how do you think we feel OP, phoning from our own phones at home to openly hostile and suspicious parents.

Some parents love it some hate it but we still have to do it.

I would love a phone call from my younger son's school. I'm finding this homeschooling hard and it would be nice to talk about it with an adult outside of the house. He's in Y5 and with 30 kids in the class, a phone call should be feasible. We've had emails but its not the same.

@TheGoldenNugget, I didn't mean to make you feel bad! I just wanted to explain there are serious reasons for teachers to phone home. Obviously not all phone calls, and not for all parents, but it is part of our job.

As a PP said earlier, you don't need to spend ages on the phone. Just a couple of minutes would do.

My DC would love this, but I would pity the poor teachers!

My DC’s primary school are using a platform called edmodo and they love it when the teachers comment on their work or posts. Lots of their old teachers, plus the head teacher are commenting too. I don’t know how they are finding the time, but the DC love it.

Genuine question. If this also is a part of safeguarding, which I completely understand..why is there no contact during school holidays?

I have 3 dc with ASD.

Eldest’s school have contacted (email) at least once a week from beginning of lockdown, and were very responsive to suggestions to help dc1 (FaceTime calls with teachers). Eldest now back at school part time (Has EHCP, at SN school)

Middle dc I got a phone call just after lockdown, saying technically dc was classed as vulnerable, so did I want to send dc in part time. I declined, as we were self isolating at that point (I was ill). Senco said they would call each week, to check welfare, and to see if/when dc wanted/needed to go in. I haven’t heard from them since.

Youngest’s school has never recognised dc is classed as vulnerable, have never had any contact from Senco.

Middle and youngest have online school, and daily contact with teachers, so I guess general welfare checks are done then.

As shown a family that weren’t previously on the school’s radar have now been picked up. That’s why schools need to be in regular contact and not just with those families with children previously identified as vulnerable.

I wouldn't like it myself as i have enough to be getting on with without an additional schedule remote meeting. I think its a very good idea form a child protection PoV though so would grudgingly take the calls.

I'm a former teacher of SEN.
Your calls are a form of box checking for the overreaching and insane system that the teachers are working within.
Tell them you have anxiety and that the calls are a triggering issue for your mental health and wellbeing and you would like them to stop for those reasons. Suggest e mail as an alternative, you are showing willing to communicate and then they can tick a box.
The calls will stop. If you stop them with a reasonable reason for them to stop.
Everyone is different, not everyone appreciates the intrusion of daily calls from outsiders in their safe space and your home IS your safe space when you have anxiety and yes you have a right to call it that without ANYONE demanding access or running you down for that.

@formerbabe as a regular class teacher I wouldn't phone during the holidays as my duty of care is only during term time. I am 'In loco parentis' while a pupil is not under the duty of care of a parent.
However, during this crisis, schools are not closed. We are still teaching (as much as we can online anyway, but that's a totally separate issue) and schools are still open. Even with parents at home, the duty of care still stands. I hope that makes sense.

I work in a very deprived area. I know the safeguarding team work beyond school hours and school days for our most vulnerable pupils.

I love speaking to the parents and children in my class, it is so lovely to know they are okay and to catch up. Normally teachers see your children every day, checking how they are once every week is hardly excessive!

@Spacecudet I loved it too. Despite the safeguarding issue, which was a bit stressful, it was so lovely to speak to my girls. They seemed genuinely happy to hear from me and it was good to catch up. It's such a period of uncertainty for them, I think they enjoyed me just having a chat like we would in form.

Not everyone is you. Some people find the over reach into their homes excessive and not something to love. But well done for being the ONE who loves what OP does not love. Have a chufty medal for being 'better' in your own mind.

I had a call from the head of pastoral care today just to see how my DCs were doing. I was really grateful for it as my 12 yo has autism and ADHD plus some learning issues and it was nice to have some support. School are providing a full days lessons every day so it is full on but she said any time we feel it's too much he can the afternoon or day off whenever he needs it. I felt so relieved as felt we were drowning a bit.

The schools will never be able to do things right, if they didnt call people would moan and when they do call they also moan.

Check out this blog:
jonoxtobywrites.wordpress.com/2020/04/21/7-tips-for-home-schooling-your-children-during-lockdown/

They're just trying to help but if you don't want them to call, just ask them not to :)

Dd2 has had 2 calls from her teacher.

It actually really has helped because she was panicking about not having her pen license for year five and whether she would be in trouble for it, speaking to her teacher and all the messages/photos/ silly videos they are posting has really helped her see that her teachers arent all about to close ranks and tell her off , they know it's a strange situation they are trying to make them.smile and laugh and her teacher cares about her.

So I'm.all for it.

I feel for the teacher though, imagine having to sound enthusiastic calling 30 9 year olds