Voluntary parent readers

[user1486416586]

Hello,

I'm new to mumsnet as I cannot find any information on the Internet with regards to whether as a Mum I should be informed a parent is now in my child's classroom and being a 'voluntary reader'.

This was only made aware to me through my son's year group social media page last night, the woman said she had spoken to the children and they had told her what they need with regards to book changes etc.

I am fuming!! Why on earth has a parent who's child is in the same class as mine been allowed to have access to my child without my prior knowledge? I had to find out on social media.

The reason I'm annoyed is my son has sen issues. What right has a fellow parent got to know them issues? I have read many articles today and it is suggested schools have parent readers in classes different to their child. Why on earth have the school done this, what makes it worse is this child has tormented my child for over a year!

Clever thinking on her behalf but I'm outraged.

Does anyone know if a school should tell you if a parent helper is around your child? I'm led to believe by a good TA friend children under the age of 14 you have to be made aware.

Please help!!

At my DC's school several parents help out (I used to but don't any more), either in their own DC's class or a different one, and the other parents wouldn't be told. So to me this is normal. She shouldn't be posting anything about your son on social media though.

This is exactly my concern today. I know it's great to have more people in a classroom, I wish I had the time.

But to hear them sounding off in the playground about who's wonderful and how they manage the reading groups makes my skin crawl. "Me and Mrs Bloggs think little Johnny will really benefit from rhe smaller group - what with his concerns"

My child has "concerns" that have been the subject of much conversation in the playground by kids who hold their parents prejudices. It's not to much to ask that the adults who are around him don't hold these (well meaning) prejudices. But she's an institution and get big bunches of flowers every year so it continues. "There's littlenoni, they're doing really well to keep up are they"

I volunteer for reading groups at school. It's terminally dull but I do it because my DD loves me doing it. I also like to see where she is in relation to other kids, so that I know if she needs help at home. I would never mention her or any other child's progress or lack thereof on social media.

If they tried to make me do a different class I wouldn't do it. It would just be too boring! I've never heard of schools asking that a volunteer read with a class not connected to their child.

I couldn't give a monkeys whether the other parents think I'm a good parent or not. I'm a cheerful and helpful volunteer. If they'd prefer to volunteer with reading, I'd gladly step back and give them my spot.

Schools are different. Our School does different classes and on school trips. I refuse to do school trips on that basis that looking after a group of children I actually don't know is too tough..Its ok when it is another class in year but another year I won't.

What I am not sure about is what it is that you are concerned about her knowing? If it is book band then it really makes no difference.

There will be many many visitors to your childs class that you won't be aware of. My DS will be having a class observation by CAHMS soon, . No other parent will be informed, this is one example of people who go in and out the class all the time.

I hear he children are badly behaved. I am assuming you think they are bad parents.

I think the issue of how her DS behaves towards yours is a separate issue.

I am a parent volunteer and I actually don't think you are overreacting.

As someone else suggested, I would take screen shots of the FB posts and show them to your headteacher. I would also ask that this specific volunteer doesn't read with your child, mainly because of her breach of confidentiality but also because of the issues between her child and your child. I think the school should be ok with this.

A friend of mine has requested (via the teacher) that I don't listen to her son read - we are close family friends and tbh it would be a bit awkward so that's fine.

I was a voluntary reader in my daughters class before I got my 1:1 job in the same class. No parent had to be told, I was dbs checked and in view of the teacher at all times.
She isn't there to parent your child so I'm confused as to why you're so angry about it? She will listen to the child read, help them out with words, tell them well done and then move on to the next.

I think it's lovely that people do this voluntary and I also love that children get that extra time to read. Regardless of who is listening to them.

On the flip side, if there is a personal reason as to why this adult shouldn't be reading with your child then you need to speak to the headteacher about it.