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Original poster

Teachers - would you send your child to where you work?

31 replies

Yorkiegirl · 20/09/2004 21:45

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OP posts:
popsycal · 20/09/2004 21:48

Theoretically, if I didn't work where i do, then I would most definitely send DS to my school. Lots of staff have there kids there.

But I don't think it is fair on the kids. Even at 'nice' schools, they must get some stick about it!

Will probably be movig jobs in the next few years so might send ds to my school after all

But I really don't think I would if I were still there

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 20/09/2004 21:49

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OP posts:
popsycal · 20/09/2004 21:50

That first sentence did not make sense........the reason i wouldn't send ds to my school is because i work there and not because it was a bad school

if I didnt workthere, it would be one of my first choices....

pixiefish · 20/09/2004 21:50

NO WAY.

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 20/09/2004 21:51

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OP posts:
popsycal · 20/09/2004 21:51

It is a tricky one...
our system is 3 tier atm but will change to 2 tier when they get round to it...
his name is down for the nursery at one of our feeder schools and he will probably go to school there too

Hulababy · 20/09/2004 22:00

No I wouldn't. Although at the moment that is orimarily because I wouldn't send DD to any school similar to the type I teach at. However I also don't think I would want to be teaching in the same school as DD at all either. But if I was teaching at the best school in the area and DD had a chance to go there I am sure I wuld cope somehow.

At the very good school I first worked out we had several teachers with one or more children there. There was no problems at all TBH. Similarly my uncle teaches at a very good school and boh his children went there, with no problems either.

Original poster
Yorkiegirl · 20/09/2004 22:02

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OP posts:
pixiefish · 20/09/2004 22:32

Because I don't think my school is the best in the area- (it's also outside my catchment area) there are better schools- don't get me wrong there are fantastic teachers at my school but i feel that we have a lot of social problems with people being 'shipped' into the area from other problem areas. Much nicer school down the road (my dd not ready for school yet though) I remember when I was in primary the head's kids came there and they were little arses- don't know if that's because of the kids they were or because they had one up on us- personally if i wanted my dd to go to a school i taught in because it was the best then i spose i'd do it- might even leave myself if it became a problem- what's best for your DD is the best school.

Shimmy21 · 20/09/2004 22:46

How many classes per year? - would you be able to avoid teaching her yourself when she gets to KS2? If so surely the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

pixiefish · 20/09/2004 22:56

Plus- you don't know if you'll still be there when she's due in your year- you may have moved on to greater things

NDT · 20/09/2004 23:09

I taught my son for two years before he went onto secondary school, and my daughter is now at my school, although I've never taught her. I love seeing them around the school and knowing their friends. It's great knowing what and whom they're talking about and for us it has been a really positive experience - so much so that I've delayed applying for deputy headship as I want to see my daughter through to KS3. It's great when they're a bit under the weather, or they've got friendship problems, or are struggling with a subject, because you can keep an eye out and it's easier to help them. The only problem has been sometimes at events I'm attending as a Mum - I often find myself having that weird "friendly-professional-small-talk" thing that you slip into at school fairs etc, rather than focussing on being my children's mother. Both of my children hate that, but you can't just ignore your pupils or their parents when you bump into them.

I can honestly say that my children have never had any stick from school friends, possibly because the Head and some of the Teaching Assistants have children in the school, even though I am one of the teachers that children are sent to for a "firm talking-to". I've never had any adverse comments levelled to my face by other parents - although, like every other teacher, I'm sure I've had my fair share of insults levelled against me when I'm not there! You obviously have to be particularly discreet at home, which is sometimes difficult when you've had a hard day, but on the whole, I think that the parents appreciate that your children are under the same regime, for discipline, uniform, homework, INSET days etc etc, as theirs.

I love it, and although it happened almost by accident, I don't regret being in the same school as my kids. It might be different if they were badly behaved, though!

fisil · 21/09/2004 06:40

I was at secondary school where my mum was a teacher, and I find it hard to imagine being at a school where my mum wasn't - it was just a part of my growing up experience. There were a few hairy moments for me and my brothers (a debate in German on looking after newborn babies was my worst moment, trying to hide fights from my mum was worst for my brother). You could always borrow money at break time! My mum taught me for two years at A-level but below that we all refused to be in the same class and our wish was always granted. She had inverse problems with favouritism and we didn't want to get picked on!

cazzybabs · 21/09/2004 08:25

I teach at a prep school and have dd's name down - it will the ony way we can afford private education. Lots of teachers have their children there and they don't get stick for it - even as they move up the school. But it will tie me in to working their for a long time - so no career.

lipsty · 21/09/2004 11:22

Yes definitely would send ds to where I work. I really don't see it as a problem at all - several teachers already have their kids at my school and there aren't any problems. I think it can depend on what sort of teacher you are. I mean, if the kids hate you, then some of that hate may be directed at the child but how could the kids hate a teacher who subscribes to MN?! I think it can be really positive. Your child gets to see exactly what you do at work and you can keep half an eye on how they're doing. Problems can arise in the staff room however. It's quite difficult to bring a problem about a colleague's offspring to the colleague. I'd love ds to come to school with me - I miss him when I'm at work. (Is that just a little bit sad...?)

PicadillyCircus · 21/09/2004 11:25

I went to the secondary school where both my mum and dad taught - in fact my dad taught me for 5 years and was my form tutor in year 13. I just got on with it - the one thing was that I never called him anything at all - couldn't cope with either calling him "Sir" or "Dad". My mum taught me in 6the form (in fact between them they taught me A Level Furthe Maths)

Fennel · 21/09/2004 11:31

I was at the school my dad taught at and I'd say just don't do it if you have a choice. we got a lot of flak. My dad is a particularly irritating git but even the nice teachers kids had a hard time sometimes.

it's probably different at primary school but even so it can be very embarrassing for teachers kids, and the parents aren't always aware of it, children often hide this sort of problem from their parents, my parents had no idea we all found it hard.

Ghosty · 21/09/2004 11:33

I worked with a lady whose daughter was a pupil at our school. It was really sad because the daugher never let her 'see' her in anything so my friend missed all her daughter's plays, assemblies, sports days etc because the child was completely embarrassed by her mother's presence at the school. That was something that made me vow never to teach at any school where my son was a pupil.
Another reason was that I liked to come home and talk to DH about my day and what was going on in the staff room (who was stabbing who in the back ) and I would have hated not to be able to do that because DS would have heard me talking ... If you do teach at the same school your child is at then you have a responsibility to keep stuff to yourself and not moan about work etc.

geogteach · 21/09/2004 11:50

Depends on the child. I and by 3 siblings had at least one of my parents teaching at our large secondary for the whole time we were there. Never bothered me or my brother particularly but my sisters were less keen. As a teacher I have also taught the children of colleagues, some charming others less so. To be honest I think it works best for those who are able to ignore the parent / child, where attention is drawn to the relationship is where probs can occur.

Hulababy · 21/09/2004 14:49

Yorkiegirl - yes, If I worked at a very good school then I would send DD there - if the best option for her IYSWIM.

tamum · 21/09/2004 14:59

I think a lot of it depends on the other children to be honest- I went to 3 primary schools and my dad was headteacher at each of them (some of them my mum taught in too). The first two had nice kids generally and I never got any flak. The third one was a nightmare- admittedly my dad saw fit to ban sweets while I was there, but I always got picked on and teased because I was his daughter. I can't describe the relief I felt when I got to secondary school and was just like everyone else!

Prettybird · 21/09/2004 17:03

My dh went to the same primary school that his mother taught at. It helped her get over logisitical problems she would have had.

It also helped dh, when his mum saw him one noght, while he was waiting for her, practising writing with his right hand (he is left handed), becasue that is what his teacher was forcing him to do. She was oon put right!

Our neighbour across the way is also a primary school teacher and is coming round to the view that it would be easiest if she just took her ds to her own school.

Prettybird · 21/09/2004 17:04

That should be Soon, not oon! (as in SOON put right)

blueteddy · 21/09/2004 18:02

I am a teaching assistant in a primary school & my little boy has just started there with so far, no problems.
I think that as long as you do not teach in the same class as them that it should not cause any problems.

bundle · 21/09/2004 18:06

a friend (who's training as a teacher) recently spent time at her dd and ds's school - they were fine about it, but the other teachers weren't! she was given a really hard time and had a job offer withdrawn because they all said they'd walk out if she stayed (I think they felt another person should have got the job).what a minefield.