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Original poster

PC taking role too far

35 replies

TheMumEdit · 27/01/2025 12:52

I’m new to school life but accept most have parent councils. They do a great job. I’m surprised however how much they seem to control. Regular emails come from
them via the school office which I don’t think is appropriate. It’s a constant money grab. It’s of course voluntary but worded to make you feel terrible if you don’t contribute.

Today we got an email telling us of the acceptable use policy for their WA group - I’m astonished they took the time to even think this was necessary. Two pages of rules . The wa group runs well with a few little disagreements but nothing out of the usual. We’ve now been told that questions should only be answered by PC members and no general chat. Completely ignoring the fact that in the last week alone two of the PC gave wrong info!!! But under these rules we’ve to let it be!!

Are all PC’s this rigid ? I feel they suck the fun right out of what was a good idea. The chat is not formally ran by the school so no idea why the school agreed to send the message with the rules.

OP posts:
ItsProperlyColdOut · 28/01/2025 06:48

tbh I think that primary school can just be quite hard, even for the parents.

I don't think it's very nice to pick on SAHMs. Dealing with loads of people is always going to be challenging.

If you don't like what they are doing then you need to stand up and put some effort in yourself. If you don't want to put the effort in, then you need to accept that they are doing the hard work for you and accept their rules.

I think a lot of this work falls to the SAHMs because they have a bit of time to do the work. However, I think it's massively unfair for the working Mum's to then mock them and say they're rubbish, while not lifting a finger to help.

Wingingitnancy · 28/01/2025 06:52

Just open a new WhatsApp for all the mums and leave out the PC members..if they ask, say it's for parents to be able to ask questions in a safe inclusive place.

popduckhe · 28/01/2025 06:58

I think it's very good they are setting expectations for the use of the WA group. It protects both them and you. Someone at my work was fired for inappropriate use.

BookGoblin · 28/01/2025 07:16

Our head teacher tries to control class WhatsApp.

I just laugh and crack on. Suggest you do same.

Thisandthatandthensome · 28/01/2025 09:52

TheMumEdit · 27/01/2025 18:41

Extract:

Relevant and Concise Messaging

  • Keep messages relevant to the group's purpose. Unrelated topics or personal conversations should be taken to private messages.
  • Limit the use of "latent texts," such as single-word responses (e.g., "OK,"
  • "Thanks"), emojis, or short acknowledgments that do not contribute to the conversation. These messages can clutter the chat and make it harder for members to follow important updates.
  • If you want to acknowledge a message, consider using the "like" or "react" feature instead of sending a new message.
  1. Announcements and Notifications
  • When sharing important information or announcements, please ensure that the details are clear and concise.
  • Avoid repeating information unless necessary. This helps to keep the chat organized and prevents information overload.
  1. Timing of Messages
  • Be mindful of the time when sending messages. Unless it is urgent, please avoid sending messages late at night or early in the morning.
  • Consider the impact of notifications on other members, especially during weekends and holidays.

They don't sound too bad.

Original poster
TheMumEdit · 28/01/2025 20:16

Mishmashs · 28/01/2025 06:31

Parent Council is not the same as PTA? I’m at a Scottish school and we have both. In ours PC helps to put forward the voice of the parents, raise issues with senior leadership egc - they have regular meetings with the head and six weekly meetings available to any parent. They have nothing to do with fundraising, that’s the PTA’s job. Must be different in your school!

Scotland too and our PC do voice parents concerns but also manage all fundraising and events such as discos etc

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMumEdit · 28/01/2025 20:18

popduckhe · 28/01/2025 06:58

I think it's very good they are setting expectations for the use of the WA group. It protects both them and you. Someone at my work was fired for inappropriate use.

Bit different a work chat and a group of parents trying to raise funds for their kids education. It’s entirely voluntary

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMumEdit · 28/01/2025 20:23

Thanks all. I was a volunteer but left as it was stifling. We want your help but don’t make any suggestions or comments just stand at your post and keep quiet.
A lot of parents have stopped volunteering. Anyway it’s not a huge issue i just wondered if this was the norm.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 28/01/2025 20:23

Oh dear

I'm afraid it'd make me want nothing to do with them WhatsApp or otherwise
Would put me right off

LittleHangleton · 28/01/2025 20:29

We moved when my DD was in Year 3. Evidently something similar must have happened in previous years at her new school.

I was added to two class WhatsApp groups. One is only class/school updates and no chat whatsoever. The other is class/school updates, plus your usual is it PE today?, or Little Jonnys party is next Saturday, whole class invited, and all the other stuff like thar. Plus general lighthearted chit chat.

I prefer the second one.

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