Do you give the Head of your child's school positive feedback (if it's due)?

[cornflakemum]

OK, I appreciate some people might find this question a bit weird, but I guess it's in line with the comments that if you're paying for something you tend to have a bit more of a 'consumer' attitude to it, and e.g. complain if you're unhappy, or say positive things if your expectations are exceeded.

All year the parents get barraged with letters and information from our sons' (private) school, and I feel as if I want to write an 'end of year review letter' back to the Head to give her feedback on our thoughts, but I can't decide if that would be perceived as a bit OTT or weird!

It wouldn't be about any complaints - rather more just giving positive feedback on a number of things which have been introduced during the year, and asking a couple of questions about future plans.

Have you ever done this as a parent, or if you're a teacher, how would you react to this?

There aren't really any opportunities to do this face-to-face, unless I arrange an appointment, which seems a bit OTT....

have you got a governing body? (not sure how it works in private sector)

we used to send a governor's questionnaire out at the end of each year, asking exactly those things, particularly wrt nes initiatives etc. it gave all the parents who had something to say the opportunity, and the results were published. all anonymous of course.

new initiatives...

Madwoman - well, funny you ask this, because there ARE governors, but there are no PARENT governors, so it tends to be a bit distant compared to our old (state) school.

We did have a questionnaire last year, and some of the things implemented (e.g. new parent e-mail contact system) came out of that.

i'd be ringing and ask if they are sending out a questionnaire this year then - letting them know you have some feedback to offer.

who are they then? (genuinely curious) can't be lea... all fine upstanding members of the local community? or staff?

does their constitution say they have to have parents, or not? probably vair different...

I think our head would welcome it. And although not quite the same I did have cause to eat my words about something I had complained about at DS's school. I spoke to the head and said it to her and she really thanked me.

I think we are all quick enough (I certainly am!) to complain so giving positive feedback must be a good thing.

I don't know who the governors are!

The Head of a local private secondary school with whom the school has an association is one, but apart from that......

I guess I should ask!

they have great visibility, obv.

There have been times when the teachers have done their jobs particularly well. I have written to the head to tell him that. It is a state school though.

i think it is an excellent idea and you should do it. Am sure the head would welcome it; they get enough complaints so a bit of praise would be a nice change.

I have, at state schools. OFSTED etc likes complaints and compliments so if you think they are doing something right compliment them!

My boys go to/have gone to state schools. I've written a letter to the HT on several occasions to say how impressed we are with the school, mentioning a few things that we feel the boys have really benefited from or enjoyed over the past term or year.

If you do want to ask questions though, I think I would do that in a separate letter. Otherwise you are kind-of forcing them to reply to your letter to say thank you for saying thank you. Whereas if you just send a purely positive letter, it's up to them what they do with it.

I work in a secondary school and on [a very few] occasions we have letters or cards sent in - sometimes they have been read out in staff briefing or just pinned to a noticeboard. It really does provide a boost to your day.

Go for it!

Cornflake mum - go for it! As head of a primary school, I would love to be sent a positive letter! All too often it's easy to complain when things aren't quite right, yet forget to say when things are 'just right' - you'd make my day!

cornflakemum, I've written in to our Head of Pre-prep a couple of times to thank her for initiatives/leadership/whatever and to say how fab my DSs' class teachers have been over various situations. We get an annual review towards the end of the summer holidays detailing every area of the curriculum for both pre and prep depts and all grades achieved, plus where changes in delivery have been made, whether they've worked, what'll be happening next year etc. Parents can then respond to that. Agree with Roisin that it might be better to separate the 'well done' letter from the 'review/suggestions' one as otherwise sounds a bit like a report.

You will be greatly respected by the head teacher. Don't waste your time communicating with governors; they only know and do what the head teacher tells them.

not here they don't lol. but then she's very new and we did select her for the job...

the old staff v govs ('professionals' v 'volunteers who know cock all' argument... )

depends on how well informed your govs are i suppose, but given your earlier comments insider might be right on this occasion...