How often?

[Chopstick100]

Just wondering how often do you go into groups at your kids school? There is a teacher that keeps pressuring me to come into groups at school, I’ve tried to politely decline but she is extremely pushy, to the point I have dropped my kids off and left and other teachers have stopped me saying aren’t you going to the group 🙁 I have tried to let her know I can’t attend these groups but she doesn’t accept no for an answer. I’ve been talked into going to one but I’m not a social person and I hate groups so don’t want to go, I’m the type to drop my kids and run, and also I have stuff to do so feel a bit annoyed this is taking away some of the only free time I get as my kids don't see their father so i get no days off. I’m not a person that wants to spend loads of time at my kids school. How often do other parents attend groups at their kids school? I also home educate one of my children which she is aware of so it really just isn’t convenient to be coming into these groups.

What groups are you talking about??

I don’t know what you mean at all, sorry. What do the groups do? Are they social? Who are they run by and to what end?

Do you mean coming in to help with reading or something? I’ve never heard of going into school for other reasons (other than specific events plays and parents evening etc)

What are groups? But no, we're never asked to stay for things because most of us have jobs that we need to get to.

I've worked in schools and now have a child of my own at one and I've literally got no idea what you're talking about. Going into groups? I've never once heard my sons teacher say the word group, you'll need to elaborate

A group for parents and their children you do half an hour learning with them then half an hour playing games

Oh right well I can't say our school has that so I've never been in that position!

How often is this meant to be happening? Are all parents invited?

I've never heard of that. The only time I set foot inside school is parents Eve twice a year and the Christmas play! We are never invited in beyond that

Twice a week, wouldnt know if all parents are invited as I don’t chat to any of them but I seen loads outside the office waiting who all seemed to know each other which is my idea of hell.

Just firmly say, no I home educate my other child and need to go home. Don't worry about it.

Is this at primary school? Even in Reception, DS started "lessons" first thing because it was the time that the kids were most able to concentrate.

I’ve said no she asks every single week. And yes it’s primary.

Tell her to stop asking as your answer won't change

Without knowing any info, it sounds like it could be a group targeted at families school want to keep a closer eye on/ offer more support to? In your position I would maybe straight out ask why you're being encouraged to attend, if they have any concerns, and explain that it isn't convenient for you to attend.

Is this a group that would benefit your child? Agree, without more information, the only group I can think it might be something to encourage more engagement between parent and child learning. Therefore, I can understand why the teacher thinks it’s beneficial for you both. You could explain, via email, if need be your reasons for not attending.

I did wonder this but I’m not sure why that would be we don’t have any reasons for there to be any concerns. My children aren’t bothered about me coming in my oldest would prefer that I didn’t

No, we don’t have this sort of thing. We do come in a few times a year to look at their books to see what they’ve covered during the term. Realistically, most parents here work, so can’t be missing work on a weekly basis for something at school.

OP I attend these groups and it's heartbreaking to see the reactions of the children whose parents don't attend. I've seen lots of tears and teachers trying to calm them/ reassure them that the lack of a parent there doesn't mean they don't Love them etc. It is horrible to witness. If other parents are going try and make the effort to go. It will help your DC

Erm it’s not that type of group, if I don’t go then they don’t..

🙄

@Chopstick100 So where are you dropping yours kids? Where do they go when the others are in the group?

To class? If parents go in then the children are brought down, if they don’t then the children are not brought down? Seems to be open to any parents that want to attend or not my children don’t go there otherwise nor do the other children.

this seems like a really odd thing for a school to do twice a week…I can’t imagine many parents would be able to keep attending. Doesn’t it also make it difficult to manage learning when some kids are off at these groups and some are in lessons? It’s all a bit confusing.

Well loads of parents do attend as I saw her group in the office waiting for her