From reception to year 1, teacher access private school

[thalahu]

Just wondering what thoughts are on this.

for reception we would pick up and drop off the children straight to the door of their classroom.

in year 1, you let them walk into the building and to their classroom on their own, no handover with the teacher. At the end of the day, they send them out of a door and watch them come to you from the distance, to make sure they’ve gone to their adult. So essentially you don’t see the teacher, or you see her from far away kind of thing.

a couple of mums were complaining about this the other day. They always used to hog the teacher at the end of the day or beginning of the day during the reception year. They always used to just go into the classroom, even though we weren’t supposed to and seem annoyed they don’t have access.

anyway, it’s normal isn’t it ? That now they’re in year 1, you don’t need a forced run down of every day ? I used to sometimes chat to the teacher but I guess if there are any questions about progress etc, you can always email them, they’re responsive and helpful. We also have parents evening and also information evening where the school explain what they’re teaching and how etc.

I guess I do understand wanting to know what’s going on with your child on a semi regular basis, so you can help them with stuff if needed. But I guess just one parents evening is enough, every term ? They’re quite short though. Experiences welcome please on this transition from reception to year 1.

Yes, perfectly normal. Ours used to go to the playground with all the other kids, then line up when the whistle was called.

This is fairly normal and probably partly because of those sorts of parents. Some people don't seem to realise there are 30 children in many classes, so if you took it in turns for daily updates, you would get one every 6 weeks. Even in Reception we only dropped to the classroom for the first few weeks, then left them at the playground gate.

Private? When I pay for a service I do expect to be able to access the provisioners during periods of change.
Different if free.

Do the school have a DoJo app you can message the teacher on if you need to make them aware of something or ask a question?

Yes - normal.
These parents need to cut the apron strings!

Those parents sound insane. Of course it’s normal. They line up from year 1 usually.

Yeah there aren’t 30 kids in the class. That’s why I mentioned it’s private. It’s more like 12-15 or so.

They just use email. They’re responsive and helpful.

that’s what I did last year. I would email sometimes and then the teacher would come and have a chat with me if she wanted to explain something further sometimes.

Surely in the mornings there is a staff member on the gate to take messages or whatever? And to ensure no children leave!

It may not always be the class teacher/TA but will will always have someone on the main gate and then someone else on the gate to each yard.

Sounds very old fashioned. Not private school here... but i drop my children to their class door every day. Its the same right up until year 6. Interested to know what happens at pick up? We also have an app where we have direct contact with the teacher and they communicate to all class parents with photos, updates and reminders

Yes it’s normal. It’s what we used to do from Y2 I think. Though I can see why they’d start from Y1, pushy parents with sharp elbows did tend to hog the poor teacher. 15 pupils. The fact they’re contactable and responsive is what matters. I’m sure you could arrange a specific meeting with them if you had any concerns.

They do use an app, but only for nursery and reception. After that, they put photos and information on the portal.

but yeah, communication with the teacher is via email or phone.

In my child’s school Rec-year 2 you drop off to the classroom door (there are direct doors to the playground). Year 3-6 they go in independently but the teacher comes onto the playground at pick up so you can speak to them.

I think it does depend on the layout of the building what is possible. That said, as a former teacher, if you hide away small problems can become big problems. So I do think it’s best if there is some face to face contact. Parents who want to talk about more than a quick thing should be reminded to book an appointment as otherwise you are having a 1:1 parents evening rather than being available to all the parents to share quick information.

^ this is a state school.

My DD was in private school, small classes etc, no it’s still insane.

Sounds normal to me. Ours are expected to walk themselves into school from the summer term of nursery. No parents allowed in at all through the main doors; nursery use a side entrance. There were a few reluctant reception starters this week but they had extra staff on hand to carry them in. At pick up you’re let into the playground, the children are lined up with the class and the teacher dismisses them as they see you.

What’s insane ?

Normal - never been able to drop to the classroom even in Foundation it was maybe close to the door. Victorian school so very little space . We only get to go in the building for parents evening. They line up in the plaground in the morning teacher comes and collects . In the afternoon, they walk out sometimes with the teacher, sometimes it's. TA or PPA cover and parents collect. Yes, the same Mums sometimes talk to the teacher, but this is discouraged unless its very quick as the emphasis they are there for all 30 kids. If you want to communicate with them it's via the Office email - no teacher emails are shared but my experience is they are very responsive and you can make an appointment to see them.

@thalahu the parents that think they should get a daily interaction with teachers….that is insane

Ah yes I agree.

Our school the kids go in by themselves from the start of reception. There's a TA on the door to take messages and then at pick up then get sent out to parents as they see you and usually the teacher is there then too. But the same mums are always waiting to speak to the TA at drop-off and then take up all her time so if you want to just pass on a message it takes ages.