Both our kids are at a small private school. It is mostly very good and they are very happy.
However the number of children with parent teachers has seen a steep increase in the last 5 years. I can see that reduced school fees is a considerable bonus (my sister had this opportunity with her kids). However it feels as though things are getting out of hand...
In one child's class we have 3 teacher's kids. Two families tick along without undue note. However the other family - the child is always leading role in the class play, dubiously in the A sports team etc. and when these things don't happen is famous for having meltdowns.
In the other child's class there are about 4 children with parents who are staff. Again one of these ticks along without undue note. But one of the other's parent is in marketing and their child appears on just about every school photo / website / instagram etc., the other's child is behaviourally extremely difficult and has been a cause for safeguarding issues but nothing ever seems to be done about it and the fourth again is leading role in all plays and sports captain (but only turns up to half the matches).
I mentioned this to another parent and she said it is the same in her child's year - they know who will have the lead in the year 8 play etc and will also be head boy / head girl.
And atleast 3 other families are feeling the same as us (with children in all different years so it is not contained to our year).
We got a new head 18 months ago.
Is there anything we can do about this or we should just suck it up?
It feels as though some of these staff parents are taking the p1ss and the families paying 100% fees are being taken for mugs.
I'm all for promotion on merit but this seems an unmitigated free for all? Is it similar in other schools?