Badly behaved parents: what action can and should a school take?

[Anna8888]

Went to Parents Association meeting last night. Nearly all the items on the agenda and that arose related to discipline. It is becoming apparent that a small (but unfortunately rather visible and audible) group of families at school are damaging the school's reputation in the neighbourhood. One of main issues is parents parking their 4x4's outside school, blocking a private road with a lot of rich and powerful residents. Another issue is disruption in the (public) park that the children play in after school - children playing football where they aren't allowed etc. The residents association wants to lobby the town hall to get bans on the school. How can the school get this small group of (extremely selfish) parents to toe the line?

GraceCapello - I wish.

I walk (or bus, if it is cold/raining etc) too. Because I am a responsible parent

Key the cars.
It's the only way.

Oi Anna, are you originally from Scotland?
There is a Glaswegian tone to your posts.

Nope, have never really been to Scotland in my life. I was born in Sussex and brought up in Kent

Really?

Blimey.
Are you sure?
there is something of the Scotch in your posts
Perhaps its the mctalics.

At our fee paying school, our Headmistress sends out a politely worded missive at the start of each term.

She reminds parents to park and drive in a respectful manner, remebering safety and neighbour issues. She also points out that X rd is a private rd and under no circs should any parent be parking there or blocking any drives etc.

The same parents every term behave the same way, rules just do not apply to some.

My DS is disabled but attends this school, there is a blue badge space almost opposite the school. The same mother parks in it everyday. I have politely reminded her that she needs to display her blue badge if she parks there, she seemed embarassed but it hasn't stopped her.

Good luck with the walking bus suggestions at your next meeting. In UK the high visibility bibs are often sponsored by local companies and it helps towards a 'blue flag' or whatever the environment award for schools is called.

MarmadukeScarlet - yup, there is a reminder about parking in our "start of year" pack too.

And I agree, it is the same group of parents who think they are more deserving than anyone else (for absolutely no discernable reason) and seem to take pride in showing off their don't care attitude.

Getting sponsorship for the bibs (or whatever) is a very good idea indeed.

MarmadukeScarlet that's shocking.
Please key her car.
she deserves it.

My DD attends an different fee paying school with a huge car park - well it would be big enough if everyone learnt how to park their enormous cars .

There are 6 (plus) groundsmen that are traffic controllers/wardens during school drop off and pick up.

In some areas there are yellow lines to allow a one way drop off lane and to ensure free passage of traffic. These lovely men regularly get verbal abuse from parent if they ask them to move, one parent rugularly says, "I've paid my fees I'll park where I f*ing well like."

Personally, I think the Headmaster should call these parents in and tell them it is unacceptable for them to speak to ANY employee like that. Can you imagine a parent saying that to a teacher? Sadly the essential support staff do not get the same respect.

Some nouveaux riche parents seem to be unable to conduct themselves properly.

What's the relevance of the reference to the cars being 4x4s?

Because they are HUGE and take up more space than necessary - there are no parking spaces, it's a total free for all...

So it wouldn't be an issue (or considered bad behaviour) to be blocking the road if the cars were small?

No clam - it would always be an issue to be blocking the road. But a Smart doesn't have the same road blocking impact as a Q7...

Just for the record, I do not have a 4X4!

Not sure why I felt the need to qualify that...

Am at the attitude of some of your fellow school parents marmaduke. Completely sure that swearing on school premises would not be tolerated at my dd's school.

Fee-paying makes no difference, it is still a school.