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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be sick of pointless, presumptuous questions on forms?

47 replies

Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:04

Just a bit of fun, don't take me too seriously, but... forms!

What is it with irrelevent, downright Big Brother-ish questions on forms these days? I've just had yet another form with yet more questions, from my DCs school. Not the sensible, "tell us your contact number so we can contact you if your child breaks a leg" type of question, but the "how do you get your child to school" and "do you consider yourself to have a disability?" type questions.

Why the hell is this their business?!

Likewise my religion, as asked on my DDs non-denominational school's recent form. Whats that all about?

And as for what my ethnic origin is... don't get me started! I'm English, not that it's their business, but how often do you see that as an option?

Come to think of it, my ethnic origin, going by my ancestry, is German, Dutch, English, French, with a smidgeon of Irish in there too. Maybe I should tick all the boxes and make their computer blow up in a paddy!

OP posts:
hobbgoblin · 19/10/2009 23:06

funding bids and quantative assessment often. hate asking but we have to in y job

ps do you have any Patterdales?

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:06

YANBU

I recently refused to fill in a form for DS's place at the new "Children's Centre" 'cos it asked stuff like....

hang on...I'll go and get it a minute....

hobbgoblin · 19/10/2009 23:08

in CCs i promise you the staff dislike having to ask but if we didn't it would afffect funding of so many thiungs

Original poster
Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:09

You what Hobbgoblin? No! Never!

(And sorry hun no Patterdales, in fact I don't think I've ever seen one in non-breed specific rescue!). will ask around though.

Cadelaide, I'm looking forward to hearing more. Methinks I'm not alone in filing these forms in the round receptacle in the corner of the room!

OP posts:
Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:10

Here we are.

They want to know my marital status, whether I'm pregnent, whether I smoke, whether I'm employed and how many hours pw, how old I am...

They also want me to answer all of those questions about DP. (pregnant )

They also want to know how many other children in the family, ages, which schools, whether they have any disabilities/special needs/medical conditions. Oh, and they want to know the "position" of each child within the family.

Original poster
Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:11

So Hobbgoblin, do you reckon you might get more funding if I say I'm a one legged, purple woman from Timbuktoo?!

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 19/10/2009 23:11

Evening class (Pilates) at local school. Question was "What do you hope to achieve from attending this course" ... umm well I may be a might fitter, my tummy muscles might work a bit better ...
For heaven's sake, it is a one hour a week exercise course taken after work by middle aged women not a degree course.

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:11

pregnAnt, of course

TrillianSlasher · 19/10/2009 23:12

You could quite easily have a pregnant DP. Plenty of women have female partners.

Not sure why it's any of their business though.

hobbgoblin · 19/10/2009 23:13

sorry am bf!

was trying to say that funding bids and funding partnerships require data from such questions and a lot of resources depend on outside funding.

that is interesting about patterdales outside of non breed specvific rescue. i'm surprised, thouh not sure why - perhaps because breed is not recogniused as such?

soz for hijack, and thanks in advance for keeping a look out

Original poster
Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:15

Nooooo Cadelaide, they don't, do they? Hang on... you aren't kidding me are you?

All joking aside if I ever get one of those I really will tell someone where to put it.

I know that LAs do a stealthy name of other child/position in family request in many forms, from school applications to admissions appeals to free school meals. I guess its an attempt to get home edders out from under the radar as much as anything, should they have one at school and one HE-ed.

I am really, really shocked at those questions. Cheeky sods!

OP posts:
moaningminniewhingesagain · 19/10/2009 23:15

PMSL at 'position' in family, lets see, X is the favourite, Y is the split condom, and Z is the 'naughty one' That'd go down a treat

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:15

Well of course I realise that, but since you first have to tick a box "male or female" you'd think I might be permitted to ignore the "pregnant?" question but no, they want all their boxes ticked.

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:16

That was to Trillian.

yes Valhalla, I have the form right here in front of me.

mazzystartled · 19/10/2009 23:17

in the case of the childrens centres it is so they can prove that they are reaching their targets. and keep providing free stuff.

yep, its downright nosy. but i have never had these forms presented to me without wry smiles and apologetic tone. and the option not to answer questions if i don't want to.

TrillianSlasher · 19/10/2009 23:17

What, they get upset if you haven't picked an option? I would laugh but I have all this to lok forward to.

Postition: head held under older brother's head as he farts

Original poster
Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:17

Thanks a bunch Cadelaide, I've just spat Pepsi all over my laptop!

OP posts:
TrillianSlasher · 19/10/2009 23:17

Tick male and pregnant. I dare ya!

ninagleams · 19/10/2009 23:18

"What do you hope to achieve from attending this course" ... umm well I may be a might fitter, my tummy muscles might work a bit better ... "

They're just asking in order to focus on the right parts of your body. A lot of people are told to attend Pilates to address problems with their bodies because it's a rehabilitative method of exercise so it's not actually a weird question.

hobbgoblin · 19/10/2009 23:19

just think of it as doing your bit for those who find it hard to engage with support. every time your average white british heterosexual married mother of two goes along to something and ticks all the boxes that apply, the provider is forced to slap own wrists and say 'must try harder' with the minority groups.

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:20

And....(you've got me started now!), in the declaration bit it states "I understand the info provided may be shared across services working with children, including CCs, health centres and voluntary organisations, to help provide a better service for my family".

Also, "I understand from time to time it may be necessary to discuss issues regardind my child/family with other professionals who are not directly involved with me".

Original poster
Vallhala · 19/10/2009 23:21

Friends of mine used to row their DC to school, having a river at the bottom of their garden to almost where the school is situated. I think the compilers should add a tick box for that, just to make it fair!

OP posts:
Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:22

That's a good point hobbgoblin.

Still not filling this one out though.

Cadelaide · 19/10/2009 23:23

Vallhala, rowing?, how cool is that?

Lilymaid · 19/10/2009 23:23

"What do you hope to achieve from attending this course"
NO they aren't interested in how you are exercising - as it is a local education authority course, they are interested in the educational objectives.
In fact, last week they asked the class to suggest what uses of technology could be made in the class (think this is an objective that the LEA/government requires).