Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To have spoken to school or not?

31 replies

LifeInPieces23 · 21/02/2022 09:38

I’m feeling really anxious as I feel I’ve done something wrong (often feel like this due to my upbringing but that’s a different issue!).

My primary aged child has had no teacher for 2 academic years years due to covid for 1st year (totally understandable) and this year due to many reasons. Everyone in class has complained and been fobbed off by headteacher. Report has come in recently and almost everyone in the class I’ve spoken to my has failed the assessments. My child has also failed the assessments.

So what I feel anxious about is I spoke to deputy headteacher today as I feel I get along with him better than the head but I feel anxious that I might have made him feel uncomfortable. But surely they must have seen the reports sent out and could have made parents feel less stressed by telling us that some kind of intervention would take place to help the kids who have failed? And let us know what is going on about lack of teacher,

It’s not just our class I was speaking to a friend in another class who also has issues with child not learning but does have an experienced teacher there unlike us. Lots of parents pulling their kids out. I just feel a mix of the school has let us down plus anxiety that I shouldn’t have said anything.

OP posts:

OinkyO · 21/02/2022 09:41

What did you say? As long as you were polite you're fine. They'd rather you spoke out than just quietly moved your child with little chance for them to explain how they will change. If you went in and were swearing and yelling then that's a different matter.

girlmom21 · 21/02/2022 09:41

If your children are missing out on a proper education because the school can't get their act together of course you should be talking to the school.

Original poster

LifeInPieces23 · 21/02/2022 09:44

@OinkyO

No I was very friendly and polite.

OP posts:

Original poster

LifeInPieces23 · 21/02/2022 09:45

@girlmom21

If your children are missing out on a proper education because the school can't get their act together of course you should be talking to the school.

Thank you. I just feel really awkward whoever I have to bring up issues.

OP posts:

Bimblybomeyelash · 21/02/2022 09:47

I’ve spoken to the head/deputy for far less than a missing teacher!

NewcastleOrBust · 21/02/2022 09:48

What assessments? Lots of children are 'working below' because they have missed so much school.

I do supply teaching and I've never been so busy. The teacher shortage is astronomical. A lot of this is covid related but some of it isn't. However they should have a teacher!

I'm wondering if it's because the teacher is off and is renewing her sick note weekly or fortnightly and that's preventing the school from employing someone on a more long term basis.

GeneLovesJezebel · 21/02/2022 09:50

You’re just standing up for your child, as any parent should do.
As long as you were polite and calm there will be no harm done.

Original poster

LifeInPieces23 · 21/02/2022 10:07

I just spoke to my mum and she said I shouldn’t cause a fuss over nothing! Thank you everyone for the responses. I’m glad I did speak to deputy. Honestly I’m pulling my child out of the school. I have no idea how to go about so need to research today on finding a place in another school.

OP posts:

OinkyO · 21/02/2022 10:09

Ignore your mum. I expect she's linked to this somehow? I’m feeling really anxious as I feel I’ve done something wrong (often feel like this due to my upbringing but that’s a different issue!).

But anyway speaking up for your child is the right thing to do. They can't do it so you are their voice.

YouMuckyDuck · 21/02/2022 10:12

You were right. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn. I sympathise with the school but my priority is my child

nanbread · 21/02/2022 11:57

@LifeInPieces23

Your mum's full of shit

It's not ok for your child to have no teacher

nanbread · 21/02/2022 11:58

@LifeInPieces23

Speak to your local council, I think they should know which schools have spaces, go to look round a couple a speak to parents there.

sadpapercourtesan · 21/02/2022 12:02

I had the horrible anxiety about speaking up the first time I had to do it OP. I also had an upbringing where "making a fuss" was discouraged and we were expected to suck up shitty behaviour. You're your child's best advocate though, if you don't speak up for her nobody else will. As long as you are civil and reasonable about it, there is nothing wrong with questioning the school, or anybody else who has dealings with your child. And it gets easier

Ibizan · 21/02/2022 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thelittlestrhino · 21/02/2022 12:05

@LifeInPieces23

Your child's education is definitely not 'nothing'

Sounds like you have been more than polite! Absolutely not acceptable from the school.

Pieceofpurplesky · 21/02/2022 12:05

Who has been teaching the children? For what it's worth I teach secondary and pupils are way below where they should be

MrsVeryTired · 21/02/2022 12:06

When you say No teacher, do you mean they have supply? As surely they have some kind of teacher?

Some supply teachers are better than the regular teachers tbh

ItsSnowJokes · 21/02/2022 12:10

We have just moved our daughter from a school that sounded amazing and has been a big disappointment. You were not unreasonable at all of talking to the leadership.

Call the local authority and ask about an in year transfer. We have just managed one and got into an amazing school. Our child starts after half term. The head at her old school didn't even contact us, just filled in the transfer form and we have moved. Says a lot about her leadership and the way the school is headed in my eyes.

raspberryjamchicken · 21/02/2022 12:19

I'm a KS1 teacher. I would be concerned about the lack of a regular teacher but I would also ask for clarification on the "assessments" they are supposed to have done. Most assessment in Year 1 is ongoing. There will also be more children working below the age-related expectations than in a standard year as they have missed a chunk of schooling but the expectations have not been adjusted. That doesn't mean that they won't catch up.

Eightiesfan · 21/02/2022 12:47

I think you need to contact the school governors as this is not acceptable. Also please make sure you contact them directly and not leave a letter with the school reception.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 21/02/2022 12:50

Who is teaching the class?

I would defo 100% raise this, probably every single day

DecentPleasant · 21/02/2022 12:57

Moved my DC for this reason though Y3 and Y5. Don’t put up with this crap. One of mine had a lovely and capable TA so was happy on a day to day basis but there was no one looking ahead and making sure there was any progression at all.
Of course you should be making a fuss. These early years are vital.

Whatwouldscullydo · 21/02/2022 13:01

You are completely right to have spoken to the school.

There must be something about becoming a grandparent that means you completely lose your grip on reality with these things. My parents have lost the plot when it comes to school things too.

You did the right thing I wish you luck securing a place elsewhere

Doodlepip23 · 21/02/2022 13:04

You have every right to have complained. Escalate it higher if needs be - Governors, Local Authority.

Changechangychange · 21/02/2022 13:04

I’d be pulling my child out. You’ve done nothing wrong.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread