Should I write anonymous letter to Chair of Governors due to lack of communication.

[wanttomakeadifference]

Will try to keep this short (but don't want to drip feed). I am really frustrated by the lack of communication at DD?s school. It is a large semi-rural primary. Previously each year has had 2 classes.

DD is in reception this year, going to year 1 in august. There are currently 32 children in each reception class.

Last week we received a letter to say Key Stage 1 was going to be particularly large next academic year and an extra class would be added. The letter said that some reception children would remain in a reception class for a further year and some would be taught alongside year 2 children- we were given the following info about the new class structure (without any actual numbers or proportions):
Class 1: R
Class 2: R
Class 3: R & Y1
Class 4: Year 1
Class 5: Year 1 & year 2
Class 6: Year 2
Class 7 : year 2

We were told that there would be 30 children in each of the 7 classes plus a possible additional 9 children who are currently appealing for a place.

No further information was given other than that we would be told which class our child was in in due course and we should approach the HT or class teacher with any queries.

I had some queries and approached DD?s teacher and asked if she could spare 5 minutes in the next week or so . She just said that wes not necessary, that there was ?no need to worry?, and that there was no need for more questions.

I approached the HT who cut me off before I explained my queries and said ?everything is in hand?.

I approached a Parent Governor (whose child is in Reception) who said that she knew nothing about this before the letter came out last week. She has found out that some of the other Governors knew about it but had no further information., she did say she is unhappy about the lack of communication.

I, and many other parents that I have spoken to feel really let down. I would really like to know how this is going to work, where the extra class will go (no spare classrooms), how the mix of children will be decided, if there will be enough resources (currently woefully short of books), whether all sessions will be teacher led etc..

The school may have a great plan to make it all work, to ensure children are helped to integrate, provide anough resources etc. but if this is the case we have not been given any information or reassurance.

I think it is insensitive and arrogant of the school to announce a major change without proper communication. I am tempted to write to the Chair of Governors to tell her how disappointed I am. I am not annoyed about the new arrangement as such, I am annoyed about the lack of information.

But I am very very reluctant to put my name on the letter as I am worried about the possible fall out for my DD.

Would you be concerned or annoyed- what should I do?

Yes a letter expressing your dismay at the lack of communication would be appropriate but I think you should sign it. I think it's highly unlikely they will do anything to your child because of a letter of concern - it sounds like you are not the only one to have these concerns.

I think with such a major change proposed they should have been prepared to answer questions from concerned parents either individually or in a parents coffee morning or some such thing.

I think an anonymous letter is not on, and will carry much less weight than if you sign it. Perhaps better if you can get two or three people to sign with you.

The information you have is fine as an initial communication. But I would expect perhaps a meeting where these questions would be answered to a greater or lesser extent and time for questions.

They will get extra funding, so may well actually boost resourses.

I personaly would take this up with the head again and express that you have had questions that remain unanswered despite the letter directing your questions to the head.

If she fails to hear your questions and aswer them then I think a signed letter to the governers would be appropritae, i would not go anon as It could easily be ignored and you will still not get the answers you specificaly need as they will not know who to direct them to.

Also you may get a letter with a back ground of decissions when your child is allocated thier new class. My dds school is mixed class and the letters we get telling us what class they are in next year has a blanket ststement detailing how classes are split, usualy ability, maturity, confidance and consideration of friendships.

Thank you for your opinions. I do realise that a signed letter would carry more weight and that I should perhaps press the matter further with the head.

I may as well get straight to the point and amit that I'm too chicken to do either . I enjoy volunteering at school and lack confidence that this will not backfire on DD or me.

I have spoken to so many parents who feel the same. Some are really really angry but noone is actually doing anything.

Although, an anonymous letter is not the best option surely it is better than doing nothing. The Head of Governors may not do anything but at least he will be aware of the situation and how parents are feeling- he only needs to ask around to find that communciation has been poor.

My initial thought was, do you have a choice? Followed by an expectation that the Parent Governor/s should be working for their votes. Could they not convey general concerns and press requests for an invite to parents from the HT and GB Chair to air the proposals that are all in hand?

why not ask for the Chair of governors contact details, and them speak to them direct?

Or speak to the parent governor, and ask him/her to raise the issue urgently with the chair and the head teacher.

You could also speak to the LEA on the basis that the head will not answer your questions and you are rightly concerned. But I would go through the governing body first.

Failing that, ask the secretary to book an appointment with the head teacher, and then go in with your questions. If you have an appointment booked, she can hardly fob you off with "its all in hand" can she?

Id also tell the head you were disappointed with her and the staff brush off when you have genuine concerns.

There will be no issues with your child...any teacher taking things out on a 6 year old does not deserve the title "Teacher" . DO not panic.

See if you can get all those other worried parents to sign with you. If a significant proportion of parents have signed, the school would be hard pushed to retaliate against you all. And do copy the LEA, Ofsted, local MP and any other relevant bod you can think of in too.

I used to be a parent governor and in this sort of situation I would have been approached by a load of parents and asked to take it up. I would then have a chat with the head about whatever it was. You can approach your parent gov and ask them to do that, (ask them to tell you what exactly they will do) but gov meetings aren't very often so they must be prepared to go to the head. Better if you can get 2 or 3 of you to approach the parent gov.

You could bypass the head and ask the secretary (font of all knowledge usually) be very nice to her (she runs the school, get her on your side!) and ask if she knows if there is any sort of meeting planned to explain how it is going to be? Then if there is you can wait for the meeting.

My guess is the reason they are fobbing you off is that this has been pushed on to them by someone (council?) and they them selves at the moment have no idea how it is all going to pan out. However that doesn't mean it isn't going to work. Many children do mixed aged classes, can be very positive. they will probably get temporary classrooms, again, not necessarily a problem, can be lovely new space. They have 6 weeks over the summer to sort it, and with all that is going on at this time of year they are probably struggling to get it all worked out in order to give you information beofre the end of term.

Please don't be afraid that asking questions will backfire. An interested polite parent is never a problem. It is aggression etc that winds schools up. Ask again, the teacher and the head, but instead of asking all your questions about how and where etc. ask:

• whether they will be sending out more information before the end of term?

-when? -will they have a meeting for parents to explain and ask questions?

That way they don't need to know the answers now.

If they still fobb you off, I should send a letter to the school (basically the head), again, polite inquiry never hurts, involved parents are better than disinterested ones. And again, ask when you will get further info about (and then you can list the questions)

Hope that helps, don't worry, lots of school in our area are having extra reception classes this sept, the schools adapt work with it and it shouldn't change the quality of teaching.

One thing in your mail did raise an alarm. I thought it was law that infant classes (KS1) only have 30 children. If there are more, there must be more teachers

sorry didn't realise it was so long!

I'm not sure this is such a biggie. Why don't you just send in a note or breezy email along the lines of, 'I know this is a hectic time of year but could you just clarify for me ...... as a few parents are a bit confused'
If you still don't get a satisfactory response, take it further but I wouldn't necessarily go thinking there's a conspiracy theory if you just keep catching teachers as they're rushing off to do something.