AIBU to think that a child having a zoom one-to-one with parent present isn't a safeguarding issue?

[dramalamma]

I had a parent teacher meeting over the phone yesterday for DD (7). She's been really struggling to engage the last week after being really good at keeping up and is refusing to watch the teachers videos so her teacher suggested a one on one zoom call just to help her with one maths concept and touch base. They do have class zoom calls twice a week but she's the oldest in a composite class (youngest is 4) so it gets a bit crazy and she doesn't really get to say what she wants to.
I've just had a message (very apologetic) to say headteacher has said she can't do this as it's a child protection/safeguarding issue even if I'm there the whole time.
Do other children/schools have one on ones? I can see how it's not necessary or advised when they're at school but surely during lockdown it's a bit different and with the parent present? Any ideas how I can challenge this/find a way around it?

Our school does them (I’ve not had myself as mine is in but I saw on dojo). They said a parent has to be in the room with the child due to safe guarding

It's not a safeguarding issue for most schools who do multiple zoom lessons all day.

It's about protecting the teacher and is very sensible.

A child and parent could make up something about the teacher and lead to serious consequences. I'm sure you wouldn't but it does happen.

Could be solved by the teacher recording it, or by having it 1:2.

It is really up to the head. But, whilst I can imagine what the valid reason is, no I don’t think it’s really safeguarding.

Our primary school is still running one to one instrument lessons on Google Meet via the parents' email address. We sign an online safeguarding form to say a parent will be present.

Good to know other schools do them - thank you.
@solidaritea - I totally understand it's to protect the teacher - and in person I wouldn't suggest it but we've had kids at the school for 6 years so there is a lot of trust both ways and it feels like Thai is blanket ban that isn't being considered individually. There isn't really another suitable child for 1:2 class - though my other children would be around on my end! I'll suggest recording - thanks.

Our school aren't doing 1:1 but both of my children have music lessons and the rules around safeguarding are multiple and we had to sign a contract. However re this area the rules were 12 and under the parent has to stay in the room; 13-15 a parent has to be in the house but not the room; 16+ no issues.

I would definitely echo the school recording this type of call too. Then they've covered all bases

We do them but have 2 school adults on the call as an extra measure.

It probably is ott but then again if parent & child raised something you are exposed as the teacher. One option is recording but some people are also concerned about this.

I imagine it's more a case of the head not wanting her to do it and open up requests from every other parent for 1:1 lessons which is unsustainable and they're using safeguarding as an excuse. I certainly wouldn't be allowed to do it for one child as much as I'd want to because it would really benefit them

Lots of 1:1 lessons at dd's school (Secondary) including 1:1 music lessons. All calls are recorded.

Zoom isn't particularly secure. Perhaps that's why? Teams or Skype are probably better, but the school have to work with the technology they have.

Ask them to phone instead. There’s no good reason they can’t zoom. Our school have a second member of staff in the room for one to one video calls. Fuck knows why as we used to actually be able to be alone in a room with the teacher but sense has gone out the window.

Since you think it would be very beneficial to your DD, can you suggest the teacher also has another teacher present?

Our school insist on their being two teachers on class calls anyway.

We need to have 2 staff members on for any Teams calls. Not that easy since it's a little school and we've got the 'hub' children in too.

We have them parents have to be in the room can be in camera if they wish. Child has to be dressed appropriately but we get them Once a week. In fact parents have to book them a time that suits us/the child

Perhaps the safeguarding is to do with the school being worried to be liable for unsupervised access to the internet? Ask about it if you're bothered, there are loads of situations where adults are alone with kids

It's ridiculous. As an optometrist, I'm often in a room alone with a child.

They can very easily record the session.

Potentially it could be - it’s up to each individual head (and teacher) how comfortable they are taking the risk. Accusations could be made against the teacher with no other witnesses present

@MechantGourmet

Zoom isn't particularly secure. Perhaps that's why? Teams or Skype are probably better, but the school have to work with the technology they have.

I agree with this, but most people don't seem to! I don't understand how schools can be allowed to use Zoom.

I think a lot of people say Zoom as a catch-all term now which can include Teams, Meet, Skype. A bit like you may do your hoovering with a Dyson, not a Hoover.

I don't 'hoover', I vacuum!

@MechantGourmet

Zoom isn't particularly secure. Perhaps that's why? Teams or Skype are probably better, but the school have to work with the technology they have.

Zoom is fine - its security was improved greatly in about May of last year. Those of you saying it is not secure are out of date.

It's nothing to do with safeguarding, which is about the children.

I had a 1 2 1 with my son's personal tutor with him present. He was 17, but we could have still cooked up some sort of story about the tutor if we wanted to.

So how does the headteacher propose engaging with you if the teacher can't see you face to face?

The school just requested a one-on-one zoom meeting with us (as we are having major Zoom issues, I use Zoom for work all day with no problems, but we keep getting locked out of the school Zoom and the password doesn't work for us to re-enter or teacher can't seem to add us back to the session). I've declined it though as I don't have the time today. So they are obviously doing them.

I think it’s completely over the top. It’s no less safe for them in terms of false accusations, than a face-to-face meeting would be.