Parent WhatsApp group

[North789]

DC attends a send unit in a mainstream school. There is a send parent WhatsApp group. It’s run by 2 Mums who both had send children at the school and both children have since gone to send schools. They might have other children in the school, I’m not sure.
The group is fairly active and the two Mums have organised a couple of social things and do teacher present collections etc.
At the beginning of this school year they must have added a lot of people including myself as my DC was just starting school. They made it clear how much knowledge they have on SEND and talked all about themselves plus put a link to their social media page and business they’ve made where they charge for giving people advice on Send processes.
I don’t know why, but I feel a bit weird about them using the group to advertise their business. They set up workshops through their business and they will usually get an expert in and it will be offered to the group at a ‘discount’ price but they will obviously make a profit. They are knowledgable and I don’t see them asking any of the parents for money apart from for the workshops, so maybe it’s absolutely fine, I don’t know I just get a weird vibe about it. I’d have happily help run the group and organise social and collections but from the beginning I was told it was the two Mums and that’s it. If the school ever do any trips or assembly’s for the send unit, the two Mums aren’t there because their kids don’t go to this school anymore.

Does sound a bit weird. I'd probably ask a fellow mum or two about setting up a 'current xyz school mums' WhatsApp. Then just swap over to that... And obviously not invite them to it, as they aren't current parents x

I'd just leave the group, I think it is weird that they are in the parent chat group of a school their children no longer attend. Did you ask to be added? Anyway, you can just leave it or mute and archive if you don't want to actually leave but I wouldn't be comfortable with these people having my whatapp number and ccess to my profile picture etc

Set up a separate chat

Yes, start a new group for current mums. Make everyone a group admin so that anyone can add new members and you all feel a bit more equal rather than you being in someone else's group.

Thank you. I did wonder if I was going mad because no one else has mentioned it. I was really keen to join the group because it’s been hard to meet other parents due to dc send. Maybe when I get to know the others a bit better I can set up a separate group.

Yes this is the weird thing. For anyone new to join, you have to ask them!

They are basically the same as if they were on a pyramid scheme selling stuff eg Avon or Aloe Vera. People want to avoid them but can't!

If worded correctly you could probably set it up when there's a new trip or event going on, and just put it out there when it happens .. "hi everyone, I've just set up a new group for us to chat about the upcoming xyz .. I had a few questions and didnt want to bother everyone who it doesn't apply to!" Then post the link. If they try to join just say sorry, it's a question about xyz. Hope it is ok! You're definitely not in the wrong here.

Definitely set up another chat. In the first message write something like "just setting up a group for parents of DCs currently at the school so we can share anything that's not appropriate for the <business name> group."

I highly doubt you're the only one who feels that way.

If you want any advice and in the UK speak with your local Parent Carer Forum. Each local authority has them I think. All advice for free and a more varied range of free advice. Use the group for social purposes and enquiring if it’s PE day.
You could be playful and every time they put something on that cost money, post something like “ohh that looks good - here’s a similar course that’s free. Isn’t that great given parents of children with SEND are often financially disadvantaged 😀”. Disclaimer I have a16yr with SEND and attends a specialist setting. I know our parents would grey rock them and rightly so.

Might not be possible but have to put asked the lead at the school whether they would set something up? This might be a teacher or perhaps the governor who has a specialist interest. Explain that you feel this group is a tad misleading potentially. Also make your offer to help and be co admin. It isn't presently a school group from the sounds of it. They are arguably doing nothing wrong as you all have a choice as to whether to join with you actually having to ask. The group though is presumably useful as it fills a void. It's a great marketing strategy for them and can continue but please make sure school are aware of the risks it may pose

Yup 👍

Yeah they’re mixing business and pleasure there, I’d defo start a new group chat x

I would set up a separate group for current parents, but stay in that one as well if it could be useful for you? It’s a bit weird but on the other hand it’s their target audience so makes sense to keep their foot in the door for their business purposes

My money is on one or both of them being chummy with someone that works in the school and they are all keeping it "local". I wouldn't be tactical, I'd simply ask where they got my number from, both in email to the school and in the WhatsApp group.

I would do exactly this. By saying you want real time, current advice on what's happening at the school right then, rather than help in general about SEND.

where did they get your number from if they just added you?
I would also think it’s a safeguarding issue if they no longer have kids at the school.

Completely agree: I would leave without a doubt.

I'm sure if you get chatting to the other parents, they probably feel the same as you.
I'd make a new group, only parents of the Sen kids currently in the school.
Leave the other group and block both their numbers.
Good luck
I'm sure due to GDPR they can't promote their business on a school group.

How did they get your number? It's one thing for the school themselves to have set up the group (although as its a WhatsApp group and so presumeably your number is now visible to a wide group of people, they should still have asked your permission first); but if the school have disclosed your details to people outside the school (and a business to boot), isn't this a breach of GDPR? I suppose it's down to whether you gave permission for your number to be shared in this way.

Thanks for all the replies. I should have said, I put my name and number down to join the group when DC started, I assumed it was just a usual school type group that a parent was starting, I didn’t know her child had left already! We had one when DC was at nursery so all seemed normal.
They are definitely close with some of the staff at the school as pp guessed.
The suggestion to start a new group for current parents is a good idea. I’m going to try and do it when we next have something coming up which doesn’t involve the two Mums.