Are you happy with your child's heateacher?

[unicorn]

How does the headteacher run YOUR children's school?
In an open democratic way, (whereby any suggestions or criticism are taken on board), or in a high handed manner whereby the Parent is deemed to be wrong?

I only ask because a fellow mum at dd's school was effectively told to 'button it' when making a critical comment today about the nursery class.

I am personally aggrieved as I feel it shows a total arrogance to the views of us parents.
There is no PTA, and representation from parents is not encouraged.

I would like to see things change, a)is that possible if the Headteacher and Chr of Gov's are set in their ways?
and
b)How to change relationships/attitudes in a non-confrontational way?

should read HEADTEACHER !

DS1s head teacher is wonderful. Very enthusiastic and an inspirational speaker. I've not had any reason to deal with her on a one to one basis though.

but soupy is the head open to suggestions about school policy etc?

What are the other governors like? The Chair doesn't necessarily have the final decision about everything and surely any complaints would have to be discussed at a governors meeting?

Personality-wise I'm not overly keen on the Head at ds1's school. I'd been warned about her beforehand by other parents but gave her the benefit of the doubt. She tends to talk down to people a fair bit. However, the school as a whole is well-run and a lot of new policies have been implemented in the last couple of years that have been really good for the school as a whole IMHO.

Our school's Head is not open at all to ideas that things going on his school are less than perfect. On various occasions I've had cause for concern and spoken with him only for him to say "that's simply not true" and refuses to believe that (a) my child did not read in school nor had a book sent home for over half a term and (b) that one or possibly two of his staff had falsely obtained money from PTA. Also he wanted PTA to offer to pay a contribution towards a child going on a residential trip for 4 days by saying he was the only one not going but then wanted to disguise the payment as "donation to school fund" In the end about 7 of the class weren't going and I suspect it really was going to be a donation to school fund. Also he called my 2 friends and I "the Playground Mafia" when we saw him about said reading problem, as we had obviously spoken about it and approached him (and his deputy) together.

Coppertop, the Chr of Gov's has all the clout as it's a catholic school, and the other governors (particularly the parent governors) are generally despondent about how little they can change things.

I am hoping for an Ofsted inspection soon (are they every 4 years?).... maybe that would shake things up a bit.

I think so. D1 has only been there a year so I@ve not had too much experience. We had a questionnaire at the end of last year asking our opinions on certain aspects of school policy though so I guess she must be open to suggestions.

If you can find their last OFSTED report (they're on the net) it should have the date of their last inspection. That might give you an idea of when the next one is due?

Ofsted site is here for reports.

Ofsted is every 6 yrs.

shame, the last report was in 2000,- I was living in hope that there was one 2004/5...

interestingly the last ofsted report comments on the communication problem with parents, so in 4 years it doesn't really appear to have been addressed.

I bet you though in the year 2006 they will be making an effort!

If the school had any specific queries or issues that needed addressing, OFSTED can come back more frequently too.

btw there is a list of all the schools that have just been announced for inspection (29/09/04) on that Ofsted site.
It may be worth checking for your own school, and then if it is on the list I bet you will see a mad scurrying around, to get things 'just right'!!