…to wonder why I bother ‘communicating’ with school

[SilenzioBruno]

School: Newsflash - bikeability this Friday!! Please return consent form by Thursday. If something isn’t covered on the form ask any questions separately.

Me: Ok, will return form ASAP. I have some questions about how Friday’s session will work, and which bike to send. Who should I ask?

School: Well all the information is on the form, and we don’t know anything about bikes, and it’s not going to happen on Friday.

Me: 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

That sounds awful. I'd be withdrawing my consent If they can't tell you the bloody basics.

Fwiw i just sent my daughter in with her normal bike.. then she decided she liked their bikes better anyway so we just stopped taking hers in

What are you questioning?

Thanks Mango :) DC already did one bikeability session at a previous school so I wanted to know if there was a ‘second level’ so to speak. And depending on that to decide whether to send the trike, which is easily ridden, or the two-wheeler, which we’re still struggling with.

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

What are you questioning?

There's lots to question really, it's a logistical nightmare for some parents simply on how they'll get dc bikes to school if they live a good drive away/small car etc.

My son got sun burnt as they were out for hours. Bear that in mind if it’s a warm day!

Thanks for understanding Katicomps

@katicomps well yes but would you rather they didn't offer this? Any constructive advice?

Bikeability is not a scheme that happens with three days notice. YANBU to be annoyed with the school.

Thanks Balalake. This is what I thought. Apparently it has been organised and then postponed within the space of 24 hours

I'd not bother with bikability. They refused to take my dd because she has an adapted bike. An adapted bike that has been approved by all the professional bodies except bikability I'll add.
Then they denied it when I raised disability discrimination.

It then took nearly a year (and many times asking) to get refunded. Only happened when the head hit the roof for the second time.

That’s such a shame for your dc @MargaretThursday. I’d be so angry in your shoes. Surprising to me too, as my dc’s first bikeability experience riding the trike was so entirely positive and inclusive. Maybe it’s highly dependent on instructor or school or both? I can’t say I’m expecting much on Friday now- or whenever it ends up happening.

Does anyone know if there are ‘levels’ and what might/should happen if dc is doing it for a second time at a new school?

Our school do level 1 in year 4 and level 2 in year 6.

DS (10) has done bikeability twice at the same school.
The first time, Y4, was in the school grounds (tho that would have been covid.... I wonder how they fitted it in?!)
In Y6, they went out on the local streets - and it was clear in the letter that they needed to ride a bike before the session, and wouldnt be taught.
So there are definitely different levels.

@SilenzioBruno

Does anyone know if there are ‘levels’ and what might/should happen if dc is doing it for a second time at a new school?

A basic google led me to the site www.bikeability.org.uk/ where it advertises levels 1, 2, 3 and plus. Maybe have a look on there?

www.bikeability.org.uk/about-cycle-training/cycle-training-for-children/bikeability-level-1/

Also had to complain about disability discrimination after what the instructor said to me and DC outside school.

But the school doesn't run Bikeability, it's external companies. Any marketing / info related comments or queries should go back to them.

@ItsMyIssue

Let me guess. They denied having said anything? That's what happened to me and at least two others I know. Different areas and different disabilities, so there clearly is an issue, not just one bad egg.

Oh they couldn’t deny it, they said it in front of of other parents waiting in line at pick up. They had all the information regarding DC on the consent form. It was rude and unprofessional.

I think Yabu.
School don't run bike ability.
A google probably would have found you your answer.
Ours do level 2 in year 5 and level 3 in year 6.
I guess I'd find your question more irritating than others because of my own experience - I run a business, all the information required is out there either in my fb page or website, all. Of. It. The amount of people wanting me to spend time answering their individual questions is unbelievable. Luckily I've got more demand than spaces, so I mostly just ignore them now or respond 'sorry, im fully booked' even when im not yet.

School don't run bikeability but they host it, so should have the basic information. Ours wouldn't allow BMXs for example, so yours were fair questions. I wouldn't get upset about it though, it sounds as though someone replied who wasn't in the loop, so just redirect the email to the class teacher.

All information was on the form I received about bikeability so unsure why you weren’t given this, it told you which bikes were accepted and which weren’t. DD used one of theirs because she didn’t want to cycle home (1.8 miles).

@arethereanyleftatall I guess the potential customers who annoy you so much have the same level of reading comprehension/willingness to be bothered reading at all that you do. I said clearly in my op that the school invited me to ask any questions that weren’t covered by the form. The form did not include information about kinds of bikes so that is what I wanted to ask.

Also a heads up that your business is probably discriminating against people with disabilities and additional needs. DC has SEND, another reason why my questions were necessary. Almost nobody puts all. Of. The. Information required by people with additional needs. Convenient for you to succeed at turning them away at the first opportunity.