Headteachers letter to parents with teacher training link.

[itsgettingweird]

I just saw this and thought it was brilliant.

apple.news/AL86JlzklRQ2AoWEC5HeXKg

There's no denying this isn't easy for anyone.
Those WFH and homeschooling have it hard.

Many teachers are also doing this.

But there does seem to be some parents who think they can do it better and yet also cannot wait to send their kids back - because it's hard!

I think that if you genuinely believe this is in response to messages from parents politely offering genuine suggestions, and not those who send frankly outrageous and rude ones - the point is lost on you.

Some of the emails we have had have been insane. Accusing us of having a vendetta against working parents, saying that we don’t care about children’s mental health, we are uneducated, we aren’t fit to teach, we are deliberately making children scared by asking staff to wear masks at pick up...

Personally I don’t know if I agree with this letter as it really enforces an “us and them” mentality which I don’t think helps anyone (namely the children) but come on. They haven’t been pushed to that point through parents offering constructive feedback.

And yes, I also,assumed it was fake. It's not particularly professional and I can't imagine my headteacher writing such a letter. But it certainly shows the frustration this headteacher must have feeling to reach this point.

Absolutely.

I've been in the situation I've had to make complaint. Extremely valid and some very experienced teachers on MN supported me through it.

But I didn't personally attack the teachers for doing their jobs.

And my ds own college have been fantastic at their online learning. Full timetable via teams. They have some lessons that are 2-3 hours long because of the type of course. Lots of group working. They do however send them off for a 10-15 minute break half way through.

The students are using breakout rooms and during their breaks at college are continuing to chat socially through these rooms. I emailed his tutor and just said I had concern this meant they weren't having any break from screens or even physical movement breaks and could they close these breakout rooms during the break? I did mention that maybe it want an issue for others but came from my personal concern as ds has a muscular disease and not moving was increasing his spasticity when he did move.

She emailed back to say she'd do this but they may then just chat online via other methods in their break - which was a good point! But that they were at least trying to support his physical needs (obviously i also acknowledged ds had to take some personal responsibility for this but he's also autistic so it takes longer to teach him new routines)

So she closes the rooms and for my part I give him small jobs to do throughout day (eg put cutlery from drainer away).

It's worked. I wouldn't have ever thought to tell the teachers they weren't doing their jobs properly because they were online permanently 9-1 and then 1.45-4.30 with no small breaks except lunch. What they are providing is fantastic. I just needed some support and to work with them to make it slightly better for ds health.

I don’t think letter is that good, a bit eye roll-y

However I wouldn’t my do a letter like that. Stop direct communication if it is aggressive etc. Raise that it’s not tolerated if that bad

Email to school if an issue not dm to teacher.

We use online platform but communication is between students and their teacher not parents (just chat which they like)

@StarCat2020 What age and subject?
Secondary - Computer Science

I'd withdraw my children from that school. 'Unprecedented access to teachers', are they not normally allowed to communicate with them?! And the last paragraph would make me feel I could never ask for any help. I haven't sent anything negative to my children's school but have asked for more support in some aspects and would wonder if it was directed at me.

I’m a teacher and if my head had sent that letter, I’d be genuinely concerned for their mental health. I’d be worried that they could be heading for some kind of breakdown.
I can appreciate the sentiments but it should have been the type of email that you write but don’t send!
I’d be very concerned that it would mean that parents who are doing their utmost but needed some help or support would be afraid to contact school and ask. My school tries to work in partnership with parents and there’s never been a greater need for that then now.

You can't get a secondary computer science job. Where in the country are you based? That's a shortage subject (and likely to offer maths teaching too).

I work in a school as a TA. Privately the letter gave me a good laugh because we've all had that one parent who gives you nothing but abuse and thinks they can do the job better than you. (I used to be a teacher before returning to TA work).

Professionally though, I think the letter went a step too far. A general reminder that abuse will not be tolerated would have been much more appropriate and professional.

It comes across a bit too much like point scoring when really we should be above that.

@ellenleaves

I'd withdraw my children from that school. 'Unprecedented access to teachers', are they not normally allowed to communicate with them?! And the last paragraph would make me feel I could never ask for any help. I haven't sent anything negative to my children's school but have asked for more support in some aspects and would wonder if it was directed at me.

Read the letter carefully. You'll see it isn't aimed at anyone asking for support at any hour of the day.

It's aimed at parents asking teachers things like "do you actually have any skills or knowledge in phonics"

I'm assuming someone who worries like you are isn't doing that type of thing!

@itsgettingweird maybe not, but would still make me feel I couldn't ask for support. Something they should moan about behind closed doors, or to the individuals concerned in a less confrontational way, not everyone.

Our old primary headteacher used to send out replies like this for every concern going. She’d publicly shame complainers or those breaking her school rules/law in the newsletters.

In the end she was sacked, leaving the teaching profession for good. I’m not bitter or jubilant.

She was a useless, defensive, deflecting, manipulative witch. This head teacher sounds just like her.

You can't get a secondary computer science job. Where in the country are you based? That's a shortage subject (and likely to offer maths teaching too)
Southern England.

I know what the Government say about it being a shortage subject but my experience is not uncommon.

I'm guessing South West rather than East. Have you tried applying for maths? The government never said they would guarantee you a job as a teacher in their defence. Did you not look into the chance of getting a job and the vacancy levels in your area before training?