should I send in this form that dh has filled in?

[saadia]

Basically dh had to go in to school last week - was a bring your dad/step-dad/uncle/brother/grandad day. Anyway, school had asked for feedback about what happened, how it went, suggestions for the future.

Dh has filled it in - he said ds2's lesson was great but for ds1's lesson he has said that the atmosphere was not good, some children (ie ds1) were not sure what to do and dh has said that the teacher was "unapproachable".

I don't think they are asking for a lesson evaluation, just feedback on the whole idea. Is it OK to send back dh's comments??

If your husband was asked for feedback, and has given the feedback, then I don't think it's really your role to decide whether to send it in. He's an adult, he's perfectly capable of deciding what is and isn't appropriate feedback, why would you think this is anything to do with you?

Would you like feedback like that? Constructive criticism is better. It would be devastating for a teacher to get a comment like 'unapproachable'. Explaining why your child did not understand what to do would be constructive.

thanks for your comments - I am actually a PGCE student myself and am not sure how I would feel if a parent made this comment. OTOH I can see that he has a right to express his view.

I agree that it's not necessarily a fun comment to receive, and you might be right that it's not what the school was looking for.

But if I filled in a feedback form for my daughter's school and my husband decided I'd got it wrong and refused to send it in, I'd be angry. I expect to be treated as an equal parent with involvement in my child's education.

dh is not that bothered either way, I said I thought it was a bit harsh but if he feels strongly about it of course I would not try to stop him.

I wouldn't send that in. I can't see it doing any good, it is a bit harsh. Even if it is true, they are only trying to do their best, and they won't be able to change much. It may create a negative impression of your DH so it will be counterproductive.

I would send it in.

I expect that the school were asking for feedback on the day rather than on the school as a whole, but if I was the head teacher of the school I would want to know if someone had that opinion of the school, so that I could look into it further.

I would send it in, I'm a trainer myself in the public sector and I'm evaluated on each course that I run, we actively encourage participants to give a honest evaluation as this helps us when we design/deliver a new course.

Your husband is being honest and maybe the head can sort out the issues, at least he is being honest and if the teacher is not approachable and he picked up on this, imagine how the children feel.

thanks everyone - have sent it now (for better or worse)- dh says they need honest responses.

Your dh is right and if they can't handle it they shouldn't be teaching.

The school should be pleased he sent it in on a comment form, not as lots of Mums (at my DCs school anyway) do; just whinge in the playground.