Head teacher visiting all the children

[elliejjtiny]

Head teacher has announced on the school website that he is coming to visit all the children in their homes this week. We're not shielding but DH and I, ds3, ds4 and ds5 are on the vulnerable list. Ds5 really doesn't get social distancing (he has autism and global development delay) and will probably try and hug the head teacher given half a chance.

I'm quite worried about this, I really don't think it's safe for the head teacher to go and visit all the children. I don't think this is optional though.

He is probably getting pressure from social services that no one is seeing children who are potentially vulnerable. I would guess he is doing door stop visits really targeting the most at risk but can’t say that otherwise it singles them out. Just go out at say hello and leave it at that. Don’t make his job harder by making a big fuss as some of the kids really will need that we welfare check.

Ds had a visit from a teacher dropping off work. We had an email a few days before telling us the day and time slot (10-1) and that we could either wave through the window or chat at a distance for a few minutes. We opened the door and said hi while the teacher stood at the end of the drive (15meters ish) away and chatted for a minute. Ds was made up to see his teacher.
However it was voluntary and we could have ignored them and picked up the work they left on the door step after they had gone.

elliejjtiny please contact the school and say you do not want a personal visit. I've got diabetes and I am scared and I think with a family member with diabetes etc it would be very unwise for the head to visit.

"Just to be clear, we aren't social care type of vulnerable. DS3 and I have asthma, dh has diabetes and ds4 and ds5 have learning difficulties."

I cannot help but think he should have better things to do than visit so many people!

I'd suggest a Zoom or Skype or similar call would be nice, and then there is no risk.

The head really doesn't seem to be thinking, it's not just the seeing 200 pupils and their families but walking or driving between 100 odd some. Crazy.

between 100 odd homes.

You do not have to let the head in.

It’s against lockdown rules anyway.

I would say no and report to police.

This could spread disease around the whole school!

This is a good idea:

suggest a Zoom or Skype or similar call would be nice, and then there is no risk.

Wouldn't bother me in all honesty........consider the fact there will be many, vulnerable children who aren't safe at home.

Those are the ones who he'll be wanting to cast an eye on, he's done this so it doesn't look as tho they're being singled out. Go to the window and give him a wave then let him move on. He sounds like he's very dedicated to the children in his care to me. 🧐💁🏻‍♀️

In the spirit of Grange Hill, just say no.

Send an email explaining you're shielding and why, plus the difficulties it might pose to your child with SEN.

Ask for clarification as to what exactly he plans to do, and suggest a phone call or zoom instead.

I very much doubt he’s planning on coming inside your home. We’ve had three visits from school, each time they’ve knocked the door and stood well back to chat for a couple of minutes, also to bring stuff round and workpacks.
I think it’s good schools are keeping and eye out and keeping in touch, there will be kids out there who need it and therefor rather than single people out they’ll do it everyone.

Think your reaction is a little ott. Just speak from a window or something if you are that worried.

That's the weirdest thing and is not safe. Talk to the headteacher through the window.

We contact each child by phone weekly and vulnerable twice weekly.

When we can't establish contact, a home visit is made.

There are new Safe guarding policies which put the responsibility on schools to check on the safety of all children including ones from visiting schools.

Safeguarding trumps all policies and they can check on a child and still maintain the 2 metre rule. They can speak to the child on the phone, open window, front door or in the garden.

All schools should be making checks.

Yes, Skype or Zoom call is a good idea. Our specialist teaching team is doing them and some SENCOs/TAs.

Tbh I would be furious with a home visit in this situation and wouldn’t even open.

The headteacher will be more than aware of the requirements of social distancing and will doubtless stand at the end of the path or wherever. Our head has visited many families and has been received, at a distance, with appreciation. Is it too much to think that this might be a visit of genuine concern and interest in the children? We have been given advice from counsellors advising schools on child bereavement that it is vital to nurture a sense of the school community and school family as a whole.
Mumsnet have been flaming teachers for the last few weeks on the basis that they shirk and don't care. Go back and look at the sentiments on this thread. For caring, he's a w**r, bonkers and with too much time on his hands.
Which way do you want it? Another example of teachers never able to do right for doing wrong.

It may well be a visit of genuine interest and concern but I can see why the OP is worried.

It's good he wants to look out for pupils, but the OP can still say she has concerns for the reasons stated.

For caring, he's a wanker ,bonkers and with too much time on his hands.

My favourite one was that he should be reported to the police.

They won’t be coming in the house, do you think they want the risk of catching the virus from 200 families?

Visiting will be shorthand for standing at the end of the path/drive and have a quick chat and a visual of the children. It’s a bit like people saying they had a meeting, obviously they mean they had a virtual meeting on Teams, Skype etc. The meaning of words has changed over the last few weeks.

Maybe you can check with school what time the HT is planning to be coming to your area and you can supervise your DC in the garden then so they won’t rush up to them. Or ask if they can phone you when they are on their way, so you can be prepared.

This is most likely a safeguarding/welfare check. They will be visiting everyone, firstly not to make it obvious who they think might be at risk and also some families may now be vulnerable where they weren’t before.

He will be checking the kids are ok, I know a few teachers that are worried about their pupils

As a teacher, I can understand why he wants to. I am worried about vulnerable pupils, and pupils whose home lives aren't great but not bad enough for SS involvement. Very few of our vulnerable children are coming into school, and it's hard to get a good picture from a quick phone call.

Email back to explain your circumstances and ask for warning in advance so that you can bring DC inside or - if you really don't want him to come - suggest a Zoom call instead.

Most posters seem to be pretty anti this. Why? He sounds like a nice bloke who cares. We are starting to come out of a light lockdown and him standing on the doorstep for a couple of minutes is probably less contact than at the shops.

Surely, this can be dealt with a "thanks, but no thanks" email. And he will no doubt be grateful if there are over 200 kids in the school. In fact, I bet he is banking on a few families doing that.

For caring, he's a wanker ,bonkers and with too much time on his hands.

My favourite one was that he should be reported to the police.hmm

well that is just ridiculous. I understand concenrs re safeguarding/child welfare etc...BUT to go around the homes of 200 children- crazy and possibly not even legal right now.
I am an NHS clinician. I sometimes patients in their homes. Right now we have been told that home visits are for absolute emergencies only , and we have to go in full PPE. So what he is doing is totally ridiculous.

It's a bit rich telling kids they can't see their friends because of the virus but they can have a visit from their headteacher.

oh, and just to add the patients I would visist mostly do not have any physical health conditions that would make them in the vulnerable or shielding group.