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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect Head Teacher to follow up

56 replies

User50228 · 04/06/2025 16:26

My child in Year 3 had an accident at school 2 weeks ago. It resulted in a broken ankle and she hasn't been back to school yet and unlikely for another 3 weeks.

To date I have had a note from her teacher to see how she is but nothing from the Head Teacher at all except a request for hospital paperwork to allow them to inform OFSTED.

AIBU to expect a quick call or note to see how she is and say its being investigated?

OP posts:
givemushypeasachance · 04/06/2025 16:32

How did the accident happen? Children can break ankles from literally tripping over their feet, so there isn't inherently a "cause" that's the school's responsibility. If it was something where it may have been another child or adult's fault then that's different.

Sidenote but schools don't have to tell Ofsted about injuries/accidents so that sounds a bit strange if the head said that.

Original poster
User50228 · 04/06/2025 16:40

It was a total accident she was climbing up on a bench so not looking to blame or cause an issue. I just think if there's a significant injury to a child in a primary school it is courtesy for the Head to check in.

Apparently broken bones are a significant injury in a school so have to be reported to OFSTED and/or the council was what the message said.

OP posts:
IdaGlossop · 04/06/2025 16:58

It would be nice to have a call from the head but I don't think there's been an omission. School days are really full-on and your DC's injury, though serious, will be one of numerous for the school.

CopperWhite · 04/06/2025 17:24

The teacher has already contacted you? Why is her contact not good enough? She probably told the head that she contacted you and there is no need for the same thing to be done twice.

helpfulperson · 04/06/2025 17:27

The probably mean the Health and Safety Executive HSE but it only needs reported to them if it was due to a failing of the school and it doesnt sound like it was.

Twelftytwo · 04/06/2025 17:28

Hmm I'm not sure.
Dd broke her wrist at school in an accident, head teacher didn't phone me and it didn't cross my mind to expect her to!

Darragon · 04/06/2025 17:28

I feel like YABU, the class teacher already spoke to you, why do you need to hear from the head as well?

Julimia · 04/06/2025 18:17

If teacher has been in touch what more do you need?Accidents happen and itcseems like the proper channels hsve been gone down.

Isthisthisreallife · 04/06/2025 18:17

In my experience as a teacher, this is not something a head would go out of their way to do. I’d say it was below their pay grade to be honest. The teacher likely passed on your response to her/him or was asked by the head to contact you in the first place.

ilovesooty · 04/06/2025 18:23

CopperWhite · 04/06/2025 17:24

The teacher has already contacted you? Why is her contact not good enough? She probably told the head that she contacted you and there is no need for the same thing to be done twice.

Exactly. I don't see why communication from the headteacher should be expected. The teacher has enquired about the child's welfare - she hasn't been ignored. I hope she makes a good recovery.

paddlinglikecrazy · 04/06/2025 18:23

My friends son was hit by a car on the way home from school, he fractured his shoulder. The head called my friend a couple of times to check on him. This is also a large high school head teacher, my friend and her son really appreciated the calls.
From the responses here it’s not the norm though. Hope she’s on the mend soon.

PurplGirl · 04/06/2025 18:23

YABU. Why do you want/need to hear from the Head? You have heard from the teacher, who is the best placed person, ie. Knows your child, is responsible for their day to day learning etc.

Moonnstars · 04/06/2025 18:23

I wouldn't be expecting the head to call. The teacher is the one who will keep in touch with you and who you can communicate with regarding how your child is doing and setting work for them to do while they are off.

The only time I know of the head contacting someone over an injury was when the decking at nursery broke and my friends son fell off it! I guess this is because it was deemed more of a school issue rather than the child having an accident.

cramptramp · 04/06/2025 18:26

Of course the HT wouldn’t get in touch, I don’t understand why you think they would.

zeibesaffron · 04/06/2025 18:27

I agree the teacher has called, they are the ones that know your child - I wouldn’t expect the head to call.

My DD broke 3 fingers at school playing years ago - the teacher called me to see how my DD was and explain what happened (it was a total accident)

Snorlaxo · 04/06/2025 18:29

I think that for every person who thought like you, another would be annoyed that the teacher and head both called. I think it’s fine for just the teacher to call as that’s the call that will mean most to dd.

I would only expect a call from the head if the school was at fault as I am owed an explanation of how they would fix the problem so it didn’t happen again and when the issue would be fixed. That’s mainly because the class teacher wouldn’t be in charge of that kind of thing and the head being diplomatic reduces the likelihood of the parents suing for negligence.

edwinbear · 04/06/2025 18:34

I can think of 3 or 4 broken fingers/wrists/hands that happened to DS’s school rugby team last winter - including DS. We didn’t expect, or receive any contact from the head. His rugby coach/PE teacher got in touch which was more than sufficient for me.

Pineapples198 · 04/06/2025 18:36

Why can’t she go to school? I work in a school and we have children come in wheelchairs or on crutches if they have broken ankles. Parents get painkillers prescribed by a GP or come in if they need some.

School should’ve followed up though, we would’ve called the day after the accident and made follow up calls if the child didn’t return to school. However it wouldn’t be the head that did this - attendance person or if they don’t have one the child’s teacher or the office staff. The Head doesn’t know who is in school or potentially even that a child has been hurt - this is usually handled by assistant heads / office staff.

Pineapples198 · 04/06/2025 18:38

Oh forgot to say - injuries are not reported to ofsted they are reported to RIDDOR. The school will do this and you wouldn’t necessarily be aware of it.

BusyMum47 · 04/06/2025 18:51

I work in a school - don't know why she needs 5wks off with a broken ankle? We have kids come in with broken bones &/or mobility issues and we do everything we can to facilitate it.

You say you're happy that it was an accident but you want the Head to contact you to say it's being investigated? Why does it need investigating?

boredoflaundry · 04/06/2025 18:56

You would clearly appreciate the contact.
another parent might find it harassment! It’s a fine line!

much like checking in with an employee who is off sick - some like to know they’ve been thought of. Others don’t like reminding they’ve got a job that’s paying them when they’re sick!!

& it’s an internal battle to know what to do!

Original poster
User50228 · 04/06/2025 18:59

Thanks for the opinions! I really dont know what to expect which is why I posted.

And shes not in school based on hospital advice as the break is in an awkward place - certainly not my choice! 😂

OP posts:
captainflash · 04/06/2025 19:08

Answering as a headteacher!
It would depend on the size of the school for me. In my first school, it was one form entry, I knew everyone really well so when we had a nasty broken arm, I did check in with the family a couple of times. There weren’t other people to do this for me!

In my bigger school, I would have delegated that responsibility to the teacher or year/ phase lead. If there were siblings, I would try and see family at pick up and check in if I could.
I think it totally depends on the size of school and what you can manage. I would be annoyed if no-one checked in.

Careliz · 04/06/2025 19:17

I'd expect work and teaching help to be sent to your child as a rule. And yes, it would be absolutely reasonable to expect a member of the Senior leadership team to contact you. Very poor practice that they have not done so.