Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if a teacher can teach their child at school?

234 replies

Tylila · 27/06/2021 18:54

Do some schools/councils have policies against it?

How are situations handled when the child is involved and the teacher has to look at both sides without favouring?

Are there other considerations to be aware of?

OP posts:
NothingIsWrong · 27/06/2021 19:28

My daughter has twins in her class who's Mum is their teacher. No problems that we've seen.

NothingIsWrong · 27/06/2021 19:29

@Tylila

I assumed a policy may be in place with a council that says that children can attend the same school but not be placed in their parents class. Not a blanket banning of attending at all.

I’m asking because I’m in a situation where I would like to apply for the job of being my child’s INA.

That's one on one then?
Backhills · 27/06/2021 19:29

You want to be your own child's 121 support at school?

Wolfiefan · 27/06/2021 19:30

If that means you would be working 1-1 with your own child in a classroom then I wouldn’t. It’s not the same as having your child as one of a class. Do you have the qualifications that make you best for the role?

Hankunamatata · 27/06/2021 19:30

You means being your childs 1:1 in a school setting?

hedgehogger1 · 27/06/2021 19:32

I don't think that's a good idea! Kids need to be able to get away from their parents at school. My all means apply to be a TA in your kids school but not your own kids 121

Littlefish · 27/06/2021 19:33

I can't see any circumstances where a school would agree to appoint you as your own child's 1:1 support assistant.

It would be completely inappropriate.

LadyPenelope68 · 27/06/2021 19:34

@Tylila
Individual needs assistant
That’s a whole different situation to being your child’s teacher in a whole class. I doubt any school would employ a child’s Mum as their 1:1, as a teacher I think it’s quite inappropriate to be honest as it actually wouldn’t benefit the child.

Lougle · 27/06/2021 19:35

I think that would be really inappropriate, tbh. It's not the same at all as being a general teaching assistant in a class or a teacher of a whole class. What would you do if you and the teacher disagreed on the best approach for your DD? How could the teacher give you balanced feedback on your performance? It could lead to all sorts of problems.

Original poster
Tylila · 27/06/2021 19:35

Yes, exactly that.

They are specifically looking for someone ( as in its in the job description that no experience is necessary) that doesn’t have the official training as it’s to be provided as it’s speciality training, including management of a medical device which is an unusual one and I would have to go into school and manage in the event of an issue anyway. There is no one on this planet that fits their job role better than me and the official training is to be provided. I’m also in touch with who would provide the training and put the school in touch with them.

OP posts:
Feelingbad2 · 27/06/2021 19:35

Yeah my daughter is in y9 and one of her teacher’s sons is taught by her

MadMadMadamMim · 27/06/2021 19:36

That is different from teaching a class full of children, one of whom might be your own.

It would not be appropriate to be your child's 1:1, frankly. They need help from someone neutral and trained - not their mother.

Smartiepants79 · 27/06/2021 19:37

What’s an INA?and yes I was taught by my mother many years ago. And she was taught by her mother actually!
There’s been several occasions in my school of this happening..

Hankunamatata · 27/06/2021 19:37

I think it would be totally weird for to be a parent to be child 1:1. It would take away any freedom or chance gaining independence the child has. Undermine the teacher having a parent sat in the classroom with their child.

Lougle · 27/06/2021 19:38

"There is no one on this planet that fits their job role better than me and the official training is to be provided."

There is no one on this planet that has a bigger conflict of interest, either.

Original poster
Tylila · 27/06/2021 19:40

Can someone please explain how it can undermine the effect of a teacher if a parent is there but not be an issue if the parent is the teacher?

OP posts:
MissMissTorrance · 27/06/2021 19:41

I don't think it's appropriate that you are your child's 1-1. Sorry.

Babymeanswashing · 27/06/2021 19:41

I’ve never liked this tbh or children attending schools where their parents work. It seems to be a popular option on here though!

Wolfiefan · 27/06/2021 19:42

I would say that was totally inappropriate. They are looking for someone to support your child in a professional way. They will have a completely different relationship to that of a parent.
I think it’s really odd that you can’t imagine anyone more qualified or better situated to support your child in school. Can you really not see any issues with this????

Hankunamatata · 27/06/2021 19:42

Because the teacher is in charge of the class teaching the class as a whole. Not showing any preference for their own child.

A 1:1 is a whole different ball game. All my kids have 1:1. They have travelled through school with them, supported them, allowed their independence to grow. Their 1:1 sit next to them. Give them special attention. Take them out of classroom when needed.

Treezan82 · 27/06/2021 19:43

I teach in a secondary school that is attended by my niece and nephew. I just ask my head of department not to assign me to those classes as I would personally prefer not to teach them as I like our relationship as it is. I fill out a conflict of interest form in the case of coursework /control assessment - I don't have anything to do with their work but it's just to cover myself. Several of my colleagues have children at our school at treat it in the same way as I have with my niece and nephew.

Original poster
Tylila · 27/06/2021 19:43

I’m not disagreeing with anyone btw, I posted to get thoughts.

There is more to how my thought process went this way that relates to my issues with how the school are handling this situation currently. I haven’t just plucked it out of thin air.

OP posts:
motogogo · 27/06/2021 19:44

I don't think it's going to be a good idea to be honest. My DD's 1:1 could get my dd to cooperate far better than me, she even got her to eat usually. Obviously there's certain circumstances where it might make sense like very specialist needs but don't you need a break from your child? It's draining having a sn child, work was my escape!

CassandraTrotter · 27/06/2021 19:44

It’s not appropriate. It wouldn't work. But apply anyway

Hankunamatata · 27/06/2021 19:45

1:1 also help mine manage their friendships and social skills in the playground. Are unbiased sounding boards for my my kids get it wrong.

Cant imagine anything more stifling that having mummy sat next to them day after day, always in the playgrounds. 1:1 are like a.childs shadow. Not healthy for a parent to fill this role at all