To be cross at a letter from school

[ivykaty44]

I telephoned the school three weeks ago and asked if my dd was behind with GSCE work and could they let me know - as I was concerned that not enough work is being done at school, I aksed if the school could support me in this.

Three weeks later I have recieved a template letter informing me that my dd has outstanding work and that this is serious and she may be barred from taking exams and really I should work with the school to get good GSCE results.

Ahhhh this is what I asked three weeks ago - goodness give me strength. Instead of ignoring me then we could have tackled this three weeks ago not just before the end of term!

no ynbu at all. my son has a couple of years to go before gcse's but i know the school will phone parents if there is any work that needs to be caught up.

sympathise ivy, can you arrange to go and see your dc's head of year ?, in person ( often messages never seem to get through.

But, they will have done a "round robin", eg , put a note in every teachers pigeon hole.

Then chased late/unanswered ones. Then chased them again. It can easily take 3 weeks, with absent staff etc. They will not have wanted to reply until they had an overall picture of her progress. Then they may have issued template, which I agree is wrong.

Our students are tracked for under achievement/outstanding coursework every term. This is then sent home to parents.

Also kids cannot be barred from exams, in fact govenement is working towrds more inclusion, which means ALL students are supposed to sit GCSE, even those who have completed very little

had you not discussed this with your DD, surely she would know if she was behind? or would she not tell you

3 weeks is too long a delay though between asking and getting an answer if the ramifications are that serious.

Ok - I phoned the school but got all the press number 4 for this (bit like british gas) so thought right _ go to the school and make sure everything is ok, to near the end of term to be messing on.

Have been and seen the school and everything seems to be in order - dd has two subjects to catch up in and will be kept in school on friday to do this and during study leave if the work is still not finished.

I think communication was lacking in this instance - hopefully this can be addressed.

I know some parents just don't give a monkeys and that can be frustrating for teachers - but some parents try very hard and want to support but through lack of communication can become frustrated themsleves.

Nice bit was though the school kept telling me how lovely my dd is, what a lovely girl - she may be creative with excuses for not doing study but at least she's delightful with it!!