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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain to 6th form about a timetable change?

105 replies

AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:21

DS is in Yr13 at the "local" 6th form to do A levels (it's part of the closest secondary school to us but is still 7 miles away). He gets the school bus there and back every day because I work and also have a younger child with disabilities who isn't in school.

He went back today for the first time since before Christmas (Wales). At the start of this term, one of his subject teachers was replaced great timing so today was the first time he met the new teacher. Said teacher has told the class that he is moving their Wednesday morning lesson to 7th period for the rest of their time at the school. This means it will finish at 4, which is 40 minutes after the school bus leaves.

There used to be late buses for those doing extra curricular activities/clubs, which students who had 7th period lessons (usually only those doing 4 A levels or extra classes, or of course detention 🙄) could also use. But they don't run any more, because all clubs are off due to covid.

There also used to be a public bus that served our village and passed the school at 4.15. But the service has been temporarily suspended, because covid.

So. DS now can't get home after the lesson. I can't pick him up because Wednesday is one of the two days a week I pay for childcare for my younger disabled child so I can work. This is non negotiable. DS is pissed off because he feels he needs to attend all the lessons, due to having missed so much and having very poor online lesson provision for the last year (it has been shocking but that's another thread altogether!).

AIBU to complain?

(And yes, I will probably end up paying for a bloody taxi, but that's a pita and cost that I don't need. This is Buttfuck Nowheresville, taxis are £££, there isn't even a proper taxi firm here and it's not as easy as just calling a cab when you need one).

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 15/03/2021 19:24

Moped? Electric bike?

Hankunamatata · 15/03/2021 19:24

But yes def raise it
Imo lessons should be past end of school day

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2021 19:25

What are the other kids doing could he not get a lift with someone else and you pay half the petrol costs. Maybe get a the parent the odd bottle of wine to say thank you.

schoolsoutforever · 15/03/2021 19:26

Just email/phone in and explain the issue. If he’s year 13 then he’s very near the end. I teach in sixth year and would be willing for a student to join virtually for the lesson (zoom, meets etc), for example. Not all colleges will but, given the bus situation I think you’re being reasonable to ask.

Dahlietta · 15/03/2021 19:27

From the fact that this teacher has started at this point of the year, my guess would be that they have had to fudge something together. The new teacher may well not be able to do the original time. However, I don't think it's fair to have a lesson after the end of the normal school day and I would definitely raise it. The problem is that the alternative might not be any more savoury (but it might be!)

Oblomov21 · 15/03/2021 19:28

Yes I would enquire / complain.

Obbydoo · 15/03/2021 19:28

You would be unreasonable to 'complain'. You would not be unreasonable to have a grown up conversation with the school to see if there is anything that can be done.

Ilovemaisie · 15/03/2021 19:29

How can they insist on a lesson being out of the school hours?
When I was in 6th form lots of people had after-school jobs that they went to almost straight after school. I am sorry but surely the school cannot insist on this.
Have your son actually told the teacher though? The teacher might be completely oblivious to the fact there is no bus.

listsandbudgets · 15/03/2021 19:29

YANBU BUT him to do it. He's nearly an adult and needs to start dealing with things like this himself

Normally I'd say you are and suggest je sorted out staying with a friend, negotiate a lift or finding some other way home ( bike? but with things as they are he certainly can't stay with a friend or get a lift and that leaves bike but of course that depends on his competence and how safe the roads ar.

Alternista · 15/03/2021 19:29

I was ready to come on and say YWBU but actually I don’t think you are at all.
Maybe rather than going straight to complaint though I’d go for a direct “hey, here’s the impact of the change, how can we solve it?” email to the school.

Changechangychange · 15/03/2021 19:29

I would definitely complain - they shouldn’t run lessons after the school buses have left.

On a practical note, can your son cycle? 7 miles would probably take about half an hour.

halcyondays · 15/03/2021 19:30

I don’t understand why the school bus goes before all lessons are finished. That’s not right.

Original poster
AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:30

Well out of the whole of his year only 19 kids are in this particular class, and none of them live near us. There's just nobody to ask for a lift! A moped is absolutely out of the question financially, and even a push bike isn't really a safe option on the roads here (twisty narrow countryside national speed limit A roads, no lighting which doesn't sound a problem but they get very dark due to dense tree cover).

OP posts:
Original poster
AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:31

And he can't join in virtually because he doesn't get home until about 4.15 anyway... The bus plus the walk from the bus stop to the house takes the best part of an hour!

OP posts:
Original poster
AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:33

Yes "complain" is a stronger word than what I'd actually be doing. Just trying to keep the thread title snappy Grin

I would be approaching it in more of a "have you considered the issues this causes" way.

OP posts:
minniemoocher · 15/03/2021 19:35

Have a conversation with the school and explain the situation, they may not realise the late bus no longer runs

MuddleMoo · 15/03/2021 19:37

I think you need to discuss this with the 6th form yes. Seems very odd to schedule classes for after school. Is there more to it? Like is it a special alevel (you say only 19 people are doing it but that's still a few). It does sound like they've had to get a new teacher and try to sort something not ideal out but they need to be aware of the impact.

NoSquirrels · 15/03/2021 19:37

I think you could certainly send a message discussing the particular problems this creates for your son and ask if there’s any way to mitigate it. Lunch-hour lesson etc?

MuddleMoo · 15/03/2021 19:38

@AGurneyAunt

Yes "complain" is a stronger word than what I'd actually be doing. Just trying to keep the thread title snappy Grin

I would be approaching it in more of a "have you considered the issues this causes" way.

Ah just saw this. Definitely do this.
SchrodingersUnicorn · 15/03/2021 19:40

It doesnt sound like it is after the school day, if period 7 exists, which it sounds like it does. A new teacher at this point in the year often means timetable changes, especially when they are employed on a part time contract and have commitments at other times.
The issue is that the school has removed the later school bus, forgetting that although clubs are cancelled, some sixth formers still have a period 7. So you need to contact Head of Sixth Form and make them aware of the implications of this.

DragonDoor · 15/03/2021 19:40

YABU to ‘complain’

If the school bus leaves before 7th period, clarify if the class is taking place within the school day.

If not, push for the school to organise transport.

Original poster
AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:44

7th period has always existed on the 6th form timetable. It's just that it's tended to only be a thing for those doing 4 A levels, or resits of English/Maths GCSEs. DS hasn't had anything timetabled in that slot before but if he had, he would have just got the late bus. So it's not "outside school hours" as such, it's just that the bus that accommodated it no longer runs.

And yes btw I appreciate he is nearly an adult but he has some additional needs (never met the threshold for ASD diagnosis but he was selectively mute when he was younger and still struggles to speak in new situations or to people he doesn't know). So I will be handling this for now.

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 15/03/2021 19:46

I would certainly think it's reasonable to complain (and I do actually mean complain, politely, but it's still a complaint). School should be absolutely aware that putting lessons on after school makes it impossible for some pupils to attend. ESPECIALLY a rural school!!

I teach in a school where the majority of our kids get school buses. That means we do nothing after the end of the school day. Unless it's completely optional. So sports clubs possibly, lessons no (even revision lessons are done at lunchtime, not after school). Even after school detentions have been known to be rearranged for lunchtimes if a parent rings in to tell us it's impossible for their child to be collected. I was about to say we don't have a local taxi firm either, but we do, it's 3 taxis that pretty much only ever do the school run.

Original poster
AGurneyAunt · 15/03/2021 19:46

And it's just a very standard A level. Nothing unusual or special.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 15/03/2021 19:50

Can he stay at school/a cafe in a supermarket or library near by til you can pick him up after work? That's assuming there's more amenities in the town where the school is than where your village is