DDs Classmate smashed a Window today - Would you expect the School to tell Parents?

[Lemonandlimez]

Damage was done on purpose during lesson, Classmate was angry / upset and purposefully kicked and smashed the Window. All class evacuated quickly to another room. Class Teacher spoke to them all as a group after and told them to tell their Parents about the incident. Would you expect the School to also contact us Parents or not? DD is 7.

I absolutely would expect to hear from the school about the incident, and what is being done to protect my child in future.

I’m a teacher and usually quite hands-off with schools as a result, but this would have me reaching for the phone.

No. To be honest I'm surprised they told the children to tell their parents. I would expect to have it dealt with by the school. It isn't other parent's business.

I can’t honestly see that a teacher has told 7 year olds to go home and tell their parents. I wouldn’t expect a communication from school about this type of incident.

No, I wouldn't. This happened in one of my kids classes over the years and we weren't informed, and I never really thought much of it.

The kids were generally evacuated from the room quickly and I was never concerned.

No, I wouldn't expect contact from the school about another child's poor behaviour.

I'm surprised the teacher told children to tell their parents. I suspect that they are at the end of their tether with lack of support and want parents to complain en masse so that something might happen about it.

Honestly no. I've had similar happen and what good is telling all the parents? If you're unhappy with the behaviour then please report those concerns to SLT its the only way to realistically get the teacher and the student more support.

Is it not the Parents business? Whilst I appreciate nobody was hurt - they very definitely could have been! Sat here wondering whether to send an Email or not DD said several Children (including her) were upset and scared?

I'm sure they were told to tell us about the incident because they were then late leaving school at end of day.

I dont actually know. In that i wouldnt really be sure they could add anything to what you have been told.

That a window was smashed and the class were evacuated and that they will be dealing with it in line with policy.

But i kind of think id like to hear how any children frightened by it would be supported or some guidance on how to talk to my child about it.

Id be very surprised if DDs school contacted me about such an incident, unless she were specifically impacted by it. As a pp said I'd presume if teachers actually instructed children to report it to parents they are at the end of their tether and hoping to force some action on foot of parental complaints, I understand it but don't think it's appropriate tbh

No, I don't think it is the parents business.

Unless children were actually harmed then no. If other children got harmed I'd expect their parents to be informed.

Maybe a child asked if they could tell their parents and your child interpreted that as they should tell you.

Why would a teacher tell the students to tell their parents

The 'angry' child would have been dealt with following the schools procedures. They wouldn't notify you.

I would suggest that the teacher is sick of this one kid and has told the others to tell their parents hoping they will call in as they want parental support

We only get told about these kinds of things if our children are personally responsible, injured or end up very upset about it despite not being actively involved. I always hear about things about a month after other parents as I'm clearly not friends with the right people 🙃

Local here had a knifing recently and parents found out on SM

No I wouldn't expect it. Nobody was hurt and it was dealt with properly. I don't see what telling parents the ins and outs would achieve other than cranking up the gossiping behind the scenes.

I would put a large amount of money on the child who has done this being tremendously unhappy about something outside of school, and that needs dealing with carefully.

I think they should tell the parents of the window smasher but not others.

There is a child in my sons group that has thrown a table around we had no email and I had no clue till my son casually mentioned it the school thought I knew and I was just being supportive and trusting them to handle the situation (the child has difficulties which means this behaviour happens) I do trust the school and they are handling it appropriately but my son can occasionally go non verbal and just wipe his mind of incidents so a quick heads up would have been great 😂

For a neurotypical child I would expect them to tell me themselves

I should say he casually mentioned it six months AFTER the incident

Ok, going with majority of Posters I won't send an Email. It was just a bit of a shock to be told if I'm honest! I've never seen a Window kicked in and guess I didn't expect DD to either, especially at School.

So the school will probably contact parents tomorrow 🤷‍♂️

If anything, to stop the whispers and the story getting out of control.

There’s a couple of children in school that have challenging behaviour, kids are regularly evacuated to the corridor whilst they do their thing in the classroom. Dc tell you about it the school does not in my experience. I appreciate it’s upsetting but they can’t talk to you about other children. If it happens again they will evacuate the children.

Honestly it’s being going on for years and hasn’t improved. Best thing to teach her is self preservation. Ie don’t try and intervene, head down and a quick exit.

Read the school behaviour policy. They should follow that. It will probably state all involved children's parents should be notified, but broadly speaking that is open to interpretation in this instance as involved is technically the perpetrator child only as no-one else was hurt or aimed at.

Put it this way, would you prefer the form teacher to waste 1 hour speaking to 29 sets of parents, or spend that hour calling social services, educational phycologists, writing up the incident and ultimately working towards getting the perpetrator child the help they need sooner? This child is clearly in crisis and that should rightly be prioritised by the school staff.

But nobody was hurt. And if anyone had been, those parents would have been informed.