Headteacher off sick

[Actionforparents]

Hi all, does anyone know if a Headteacher is off sick when the school has to notify parents? Thanks

"but the school is in mess" - That is the bit you need to focus on, a good school should not be a mess because the head is off for a couple of weeks.

I think it does have to do with OP (and her group) actually. Obviously not the detail of the reasons for the HTs absence but if there are concerns about how the school is run (or even if there aren't) and now the HT is on protracted leave, the governors or the leadership should be answering parents' concerns.

At my school it's part of the contingency plan.

If the head is on extended leave. It's not been two weeks yet.

Two weeks is a long time for a school to be with out it's leader in the normal course of events. Usually the Deputy has teaching responsibilities and frankly, a couple of days can be too long. As parents are obviously concerned, it would be helpful to communicate with them e.g. what's been done to make sure DH can be available and isn't in class all day when parents need someone to talk to?

Hi, ex teacher here. They wouldn’t usually tell you unless the headteacher is leaving as there will be a deputy head in charge. Usually two deputy heads. If the headteacher has a serious illness that means they will be away for a considerable amount of time but plan on returning, they may send out letters informing parents as and when details emerge but at the discretion of the headteacher.

Ours has been MIA since before the summer holidays! There are all sort of rumours flying around as there has been no,information provided by the school. My favourite involves a villa in the Bahamas funded by the reading books and PE equipment fund but there are a lot worse circulating around the playground. I actually don’t think OP is wrong to at least be asking the question else people make up all sorts.

Thanks for all your comments constructive and unconstructive a question was basically asked and if there is no absolute answer no problem there isn't one and the opinions about the school being in a mess it is because of the head not because the head is off. Never used mumsnet before and sad to say won't be again as it's not the forum that what it seems to advertised thought it was to give advice not attack that's a shame a simple question has been asked that's all, account will be deleted and suggest it is very easy to come back with a derogatory remark when you are not armed with facts but suspect if you knew them and it was your children you may have a different opinion!! thanks again and apologies to those who were kindly constructive!

I am a Deputy Head, when I was off sick, I was still doing a lot of stuff despite being ‘off’ via email/calls with head. In fact I was badgering the nurses for paper and pens to work from my hospital bed. Was only out of contact when in surgery!
So I revkon the head is still having a say in things if ill.

So OP it's IS a thread to gather information against the head, given that you state it's their fault the school is a 'mess'....

Don't let the door hit you on the way out...

I have had to deal with two heads being on long term leave as a Chair of Governors, both with partners dying.

If we know, we plan. It will either be shadow management ie, everyone stepping up a grade and agreed between LA and GB or another head or secondment from another school. However, if it is short term or an impending family death, it is unlikely you will be told until after the event. If it is an illness and they have asked for privacy, we would respect that.

If it is for more than a couple of weeks, I would normally send out a note on behalf of the GB to announce short term plans for the absence.

who have you tried asking other than a random group on the internet?
have you contacted the board of governers or the LA?

In my experience a sensible school will send out a letter about it when it becomes long term rather than short term. This will cause most of the gossip to die down. The letter will give a reason eg. "Family issues" = close relative/partner with cancer/dying etc. One of my DC had a head out for nearly a year, in that case we were given updates.

You’re probably right that this isn’t the forum you thought if you think having a group user name and looking for how to find out a Head teacher’s personal business is appropriate. Even your user name suggests an agenda.

If there are issues with the school then go through the proper channels. Ask for a meeting with the Deputy Head, who at the moment is standing in for the head, and if you’re not satisfied then go to the govs. I fail to see how the health of the Head during a two week absence is any of your business. If it was the class teacher then wondering about cover arrangements etc would be reasonable. This is not.