Following on from my what would you do thread...

[Pennies]

A short while back I posted asking what people would do if they called a company that they were going to spend a lot of money with and had had no response despite leaving 5 messages. General conscensus was to ditch them. However as this company is a school I want my kids to go to more caution was advised. I needed to speak to them about my kids potentially joining the school and a problem that we have with dates.

So I called again and eventually had my call returned once I made it very clear how annoyed I was getting. I had a good conversation with the registrar and she promised to talk to the Headmaster about our discussion and get back to me. She has not got back to me at all.

So I decided that I would try and talk to the Headmaster in person to get my query sorted. I have now left two messages asking for them to call me to arrange a time to see him.

Am I right in thinking that this is really bad? I even tried phoning just before 3pm when I was sure that there would be someone manning the phones in case a parent rang to say they were delayed and there wasn't even an answer. So it seems that you either can't get them to answer or if you leave a message they don't respond.

Trouble is it is a fantastic school. Amazing facilities, great reports, beautiful setting. But this lack of communication is worying me.

Any advice?

Yes, it's really bad.

If they are this bad at communicating with someone who they (presumably!) want to impress enough to send their kids to their school, just imagine how much worse they'll be once your kids are there.

That's exactly my concern. I've spoken to a friend in a similar position and she's experienced the same. We thought it might just be the registrar who's a bit rubbish with responing to messages but now it seems the Headmaster's secretary isn't much better.

DH loves the school though and is really keen to go, despite all this. I'm in two minds and have a back up all sorted.

Do you know anyone whose child already goes there? Maybe they would be able to tell you whether this is par for the course.

I would be reluctant to send dd to a school where the staff seemed to hold little regard for prospective parents, partly because I would be concerned about the communication issues, and partly because I would be concerned that this attitude would be reflected in the way that the children were treated.

I might be tempted to write to the head with your queries, and mentioning the difficulties you've had getting a message to him/her - see what kind of response you get to that.

that would put me off a lot
a lack of communication between the head and the parents does not bode well, particularly as you are a prospective parent,,surely they should be encouraging you?

Maybe they've heard about your DC?!

Seriously - if they can't communuicate now it does not bode well for the future

Pennies-I had exactly the same experience and have a sneaking suspicion it may be the same school.....does the registrar's surname begin with B and is the noise a dog makes?

Whoooosh! Yes! What happened in your case?

I persisted and just as I was about to drive over there for a confontation,she rang me all sweetness and light.

Had a fantastic meeting with the head (eventually)-I think she and the Head's secretary are one in the same)and have decided that for dd's happiness I can cope with being ignored a bit.

The school is so lovely,the kids so happy they are doing somethign right and if that's the kids and not the parents then our view is so be it.

Good luck-what is your fall back? Not SW?

No, not SW!! Liked the pre-school stuff there loads but the rest wasn't great. Shame as it's pretty much on our doorstep! Back up is St Jo's. Got any feedback on there?

interesting that you have had the same problem. I know of someone else too, but the school is so great that it's really hard to pass it up.

Pennies-do feel free to CAT me-maybe get together for a coffee and bemoan schools...

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