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Original poster

Its good enough for mine if its good enough for yours

269 replies

educationforteachers · 31/12/2013 12:59

If the school is not good enough for the teachers kids, then should it be good enough for our kids?

Should this apply to primary and secondary?

Should this apply to the methods they are using in school?

Since teachers are after all the best people to ask!

OP posts:
PointyChristmasFairyWand · 02/01/2014 16:49

What mrz said. The OP's question speaks of the mistrust of teachers that has been fostered deliberately by the government over the last few years.

Philoslothy · 02/01/2014 16:50

I have not always been a teacher, I have always asked the teachers of my children if they would send their own children to the school in which they are working .

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 16:50

Interesting mrz. You wouldn't take it as a warning sign then if not a single teacher at your child's school chose to send their child to the same school? Because I would. And as other posters have indicated teachers may well have other options and insights.

Like I said the parents I speak to find it very reassuring that I send my kids to the school where I work. They may well have been put off by the fact that few teachers' kids worked at the school where I began my career (and with good reason).

Philoslothy · 02/01/2014 16:52

I remember a teacher telling me that they would not send their daughter to the school in which they were working and my children were attending. I did ask her if she felt it was right to be part of a school that was good enough for my child, but not hers.

clam · 02/01/2014 16:52

It's a silly question because it's just not relevant to the education your child is receiving in school.
If you have an issue with a teacher, or the school in general, take it up with the Head. But why on earth would it be relevant to know or ask where staff members' children go to school and why?

BanjoPlayingTiger · 02/01/2014 16:53

Having been the child whose parent taught at the school I would say it is a very bad idea.
I can fully understand why any teacher would choose to send their child to another school than the one they teach at.

Philoslothy · 02/01/2014 16:55

I don 't think it is a silly question. Teachers are in a position to make an incredibly informed choice," with regards to their child's school. If they actively choose not to send their child to the school in which they work - that is a worrying choice.

mrz · 02/01/2014 16:55

No whendidyoulast it wouldn't cross my mind. I know I wouldn't like to teach in the same school my children attended (they would hate it too) and actually turned down work there because I didn't think it would be fair on them.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 16:55

Maybe not relevant but certainly interesting. While there may be perfectly good reasons for a teacher not sending their kids to the same school, if they DO then that's a real demonstration of their faith in that school. It would be a concern if no teacher send their own kid to the same school wouldn't it? I would think so. And I'm a teacher so I have pretty good insights into the education system.

WhomessweetWhomes · 02/01/2014 16:57

Whendidyoulast - exactly. I presume most teachers would not admit it to a parent that they didn't want to send their dc to the school because it's rubbish. Directly asking a teacher this a) Is intrusive unless you know them personally b) puts them in a difficult situation professionally and c) doesn't necessarily get you a true answer.

clam · 02/01/2014 16:58

I have always asked the teachers of my children if they would send their own children to the school in which they are working.

That, although rude I think, is slightly different. "Would" you send your child, as opposed to "why don't you?" I have every confidence in the school I teach in and would in theory send my children there (in that I think they would receive a good education), but in practice they're too old, we're out of catchment and the school is vastly over-subscribed.

Philoslothy · 02/01/2014 16:58

It can be difficult teaching in the sane school that your children attend. Therefore if you make that choice it is a sign that the school is great and one that you would want your children to attend.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 16:58

I teach the children of two deputy heads who have told me that they would never send their kids to their own school because they know they will get a better education at my school (and they've given me reasons why). If I was a parent at their school I would find that extremely relevant and deeply troubling.

mrz · 02/01/2014 16:58

Really Philosophy ... I don't any more about schools other than the one where I teach than any other parent.

EvilTwins · 02/01/2014 16:59

OP, would you ask a employee of Next if they bought all of their clothes and all clothes their children wear from Next? And if not would you assume that it was a vote of no confidence in the shop?

No parent has ever asked me if my DC will attend the school I teach in. Presently, no teachers' kids attend the school, but several TAs and other support staff do send their DC there. The first school I taught in had quite a lot of teachers' kids. None of it was politically motivated though - all practical decisions.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 17:02

Maybe Whome but I think you are likely to be able to read from their face whether their reason is genuine - it's a great school but I've chosen another great school which in the different catchment where we live big smile as opposed to LeVolcane's example where the teacher felt her son would be better 'pushed' at another school or a teacher who looks a bit uncomfortable while saying it's a great school but I don't want to work at the same schooland I've actually chosen a different school in the same catchment area which we both know gets better results

clam · 02/01/2014 17:03

It would be a concern if no teacher send their own kid to the same school wouldn't it? I would think so.
No, why would it be? There are 17 teachers in my school, and not one of them has children on roll at the moment. It's a very good school, and we're all happy to work there. Some have had kids there in the past, but not right now. All sorts of reasons, most of which have been cited on here already.

if they DO then that's a real demonstration of their faith in that school. Again, not really. It could be that it's a village school and the only one available to the kids and also to the parent who happens to work there as a teacher.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 17:03

Evil, employees at Next have to wear clothes from the store. This, of course, demonstrates their faith in the product they're selling as well as hopefully advertising particular items.

EvilTwins · 02/01/2014 17:04

Meant to add - I have an acquaintance who teaches at a very famous girls' school in the town in which we both live. Currently, her DD goes to a private prep school. She has said that her DD will sit the 11+ and if she gets into the super selective state grammar in our town, she will go there. If not, she will go to the world famous independent school that her mother teaches at. My acquaintance will get a 2/3 fee reduction. However, if she can get the free state education on offer at the grammar, she'll take it. What do you make of that OP?

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 17:04

If you wouldn't find it a concern and can't understand why then you're either very optimistic or very naive. As a teacher and parent I would find it a concern and would opt for a school where there are lots of teachers' children rather than one with none.

clam · 02/01/2014 17:05

I simply can't imagine any parent being rude enough ever asking me why my kids aren't at my school. I mean really, why would you? Hmm

EvilTwins · 02/01/2014 17:06

They have to wear clothes from the store when they're at work. What if they don't wear them when they're not at work? What if they're covertly wearing M&S knickers underneath? Surely that speaks volumes? Wink

Philoslothy · 02/01/2014 17:06

I clearly would he rude enough, I have done it many times!

I get asked by parents as well, I never see it as being rude.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 17:06

'I don't any more about schools other than the one where I teach than any other parent.'

Really???

You have good insights into the way the education system works. You would be able to interpret league tables, value added and data on SN and FSM. You are also likely to at the very least gain insights into other schools in your catchment from what parents and students and teachers tell you on a daily basis.

I know a huge amount about most of the other schools in my LEA and the neighbouring ones.

whendidyoulast · 02/01/2014 17:08

I have never found it a rude question either Philoslothy. I think it's a very sensible question.

Aren't parents right to be concerned about the school they choose for their kids? And isn't it a good sign if they are making an active and informed choice?

I do think some of the posts here are a bit odd.

And I'm a bit sad to find that some parents are so meek about speaking to teachers.