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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Parent never go into school

42 replies

Onemustwork · 02/10/2011 08:08

My year 2 dc goes to and from school on the bus every day.

Therefore I very rarely go into school - since the start of term I've been in twice. Once as bus was cancelled, and second due to doctor's appointment.

This is a school bus provided by the school, they know my dc is on this bus.

Now I've been made aware by other parents that notices for parents are being put on the classroom door, about things required, meetings etc.

I contacted the school secretary and said I understand information is being put on the classroom door for parents, would it be possible for you to send me an email or slip a note in the bookbag, rather than other parents having to pass the information on to me.

I got a curt response back saying that maybe I should reconsider my priorities, and cut back on my working so that I could be present for my dc's education. Sent to me by a full time working mum (08:00-17:30) who happens to work where her dc go to school so can access all this information.

Am I really alone in being the only parent who has to work/travel between the hours of 08:30-15:30 (I work 30 hours a week, so it's not like I'm working all hours under the sun just the school hours)?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

heggertyhaggerty · 02/10/2011 09:31

The school runs the bus service so surely there are other children in the same situation...otherwise it would be a bus just for your child.

Either way it's awful to talk to you like that. I hope you get an apology and they agree to communicate more effectively with you.

heggertyhaggerty · 02/10/2011 09:31

x posts with scootergirl!

CauldronsTrulyReign · 02/10/2011 09:43

Surely as this school operates a school bus, there will be many other parents who never see the classroom door as well?

It should be pointed out that the notice on the window method of communication is highly ineffective because of the travel to school arrangements, and should be reviewed with immediate effect.

If the school feel so strongly that a parent/carer should be in the playground at least once a day, perhaps the school bus shpuld be withdrawn. again

CauldronsTrulyReign · 02/10/2011 09:44

More cross-posts.

jenniec79 · 02/10/2011 14:36

Mum only taught in the same school myself & DB attended in secondary. By the time I was in 6th form, the only way to get her out of the classroom less than an HOUR AND A HALF after finishing time was to threated to take DB and go without her (20 minute drive) No way in hell she'd have made a pick up in another school.

Was the secretary doing something more vocational/high powered before she had DC's? Sounds like she's regretting downshifting herself and trying to project onto a successful carreer mum.

sayithowitis · 02/10/2011 19:38

It is not the job of anyone at your child's school to pass comment on your working commitments or any other aspect of your family life. Even if whatever you are doing/not doing is to the detriment of your child, there are proper channels to go through. In your case, i would be printing the e-mail and taking it straight to the head. At the very least I would want a written apology from whoever wrote it. If That is not forthcoming, I would be going to the chair of governors. And as high up as necessary within the LEA until I got a satisfactory apology and guarantee that this will not happen again.

I would also suggest that the school investigate something like ParentMail or similar. Or even that the relevant information is posted on its website. This is what my school does. As well as general notices, each year group has its own area of the website where info is posted re; events, homework, requests for rubbish and old tat craft materials etc.

cat64 · 02/10/2011 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

helpmabob · 02/10/2011 21:25

Please make a serious complaint, I find this disgusting. it just beggars belief

clam · 02/10/2011 21:42

We've just been told not to put up messages on the classroom doors as sole method of communication as so many parents miss them. Particularly in KS2. We have to use other methods too.

But that aside, this secretary was bang out of line. Sure, go in and ask how you can be sure of receiving communications, but make jolly sure you complain about this email while you're at it.

Iamseeingstars · 03/10/2011 03:29

Having notices on a classroom door is futile. It will be great for those who go into the grounds every day and make a point of looking, but more often than not, when 30 kids are emerging from the class at the same time, you dont even think to look at notices, unless you make a point of getting to school early.

It is about time that schools consider all forms of communication. Verbal messages to chldren is useless and ineffective. Bits of paper stay in bags and never materialise. Emails dont get read. Not everyone has mobile phones, so no matter what they do they cant win. But to only use one form of communication is not helpful at all.

I would write a nice letter to the head to explain your predicament and ask politely if class notices can be sent home with children as well

Original poster

Onemustwork · 03/10/2011 16:30

I forwarded the email to the HT today, and made it clear this wasn't a helpful response, at this stage I am a wuss, and did not make a stink about the email, just reiterated that alternative methods of communication would be beneficial especially to all users of the bus service.

As of yet, not received a response from the school.

OP posts:

lec0rnsillk · 03/10/2011 17:06

That's appalling - how dare she!

LindyHemming · 03/10/2011 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Eglu · 03/10/2011 17:47

Unbelieveable! Notes on the classroom door are not practical. And the response is rude.

hester · 03/10/2011 17:49

i thought my dd's school was bad for assuming everyone has a SAHM, but at least they do have a weekly newsletter that they email to everybody (and to non resident parents as well)

janet41 · 03/10/2011 19:24

Same sort of problem here. I work a long way away and rarely make it in. I emAiled the school over a week ago asking if they could post more on the website or put notes in bags. Havent even had an acknowledgement to my email yet - they could have least replied with a no!

TheFallenMadonna · 03/10/2011 19:32

I'm a bit confused as to why I would need to be present for my DC's education

I always say on threads where posters complain about things like that that teachers understand the issues of working parents because so many of us our working parents (with very inflexible working hours) ourselves. Or perhaps not in this case...

I would be very cross indeed.

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