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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

Is that odd or is it what all schools do??

43 replies

gabid · 05/10/2011 11:02

Last year, and this year again the school sent a letter to all parents to introduce a private tutoring company who can, if parents wish, support their children academically outside school hours (its an infant school, so 4-7 year olds). The headteacher says that she does not support that but distributes the leaflet because a number of parents have asked. Nevertheless, she asks everyone to fill in the reply slip to say whether they are interested or not!? I don't see why I should reply to that company?? There isn't usually a reply required if people drop junk mail through the door.

This morning I asked our Chair of Govournors and she told me that this is the way it is and that all schools do it.

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Elibean · 05/10/2011 11:05

I don't think all schools do it.

Our school sent a similar note around last year for the first time, in response to a group of parents asking about tutoring - but there was no need to fill in anything. In fact, if people were interested they were asked to contact the company directly - the school had nothing to do with it other than providing information. As per junk mail

marge2 · 05/10/2011 11:06

Ours certainly doesn't. Once the class rep sent a letter round of her own bat asking if there were any takers for an 'out of school Maths club' as lots of kids on the class were having difficulties. The Head went NUTS!!!!! Said it was implying there was a teaching problemin the school.
There was quiet a hoo ha.

emkana · 05/10/2011 11:08

Our school does this. I think the school gets money for it.

AMumInScotland · 05/10/2011 11:08

Lots of schools do it - they get money from the company. And the company wants replies to prove that the leaflets have in fact gone out to the parents, and not neatly filed in the bin by the school...

Its a thorny issue about funding in schools - I disapprove on principle, but if the school get money they wouldn't otherwise have, then I guess they weigh it up and reach a different conclusion from me.

StewieGriffinsMom · 05/10/2011 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/10/2011 11:10

DS is in Y3 now and we've never had anything like this, not even a flyer for private tutoring. Personally, I'd just bin it.

marge2 good on the class rep, think she is fab . Could the HT be a little upset because it is actually true?

BarryShitpeas · 05/10/2011 11:11

In our primary it is usual for outside businesses (Kumon, Stagecoach, etc) to send home leaflets in kids book bags.

They don't ask us to reply yes/no though.

What drives me nuts is when they do a demo during assembly and the dc come home demanding to go- I find this promoting direct to dc quite annoying and ethically on shaky ground.

startail · 05/10/2011 11:13

We get them, I throw them in the recycling!

Original poster

gabid · 05/10/2011 11:14

Yes, that I can understand. I would look at it and treat it as a bit of junk mail end of. But there is enough stuff from school, e.g. forms, dates, things to bring into school, assemblies and lessons to join in and I only have one DC there now. But the school is asking everyone to fill in and return the reply slip. Do they profit from that in some way?

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munstersmum · 05/10/2011 11:14

Had leaflets for after school activities & sports clubs. Never anything that required a response if uninterested & never anything re tutoring. Weirdest was flyer from dental practice nowhere near.

PatriciaHolm · 05/10/2011 11:16

The school will be paid on a reply basis, so are keen for you to fill it in for that reason. I would bin, and make it very clear you aren't happy. Our school has never done it.

AyesToTheRight · 05/10/2011 11:17

Nothing of that sort here at all.

RedBlanket · 05/10/2011 11:18

Our school do it.

The company want replies so they can add you to their database and send you more mail.

Badtasteflump · 05/10/2011 11:19

Our school does it - I ignore and put it in the recycling bin

Original poster

gabid · 05/10/2011 11:22

Yes, they may get money. I think I will ignore the leaflet this year as I think if the headteacher doesn't support it and I think she is right not to then she should follow that through and not send the stuff out. If parents ask she can always give them a leaflet.

Besides, when do those little 5 and 6 year olds have time to play? In school all day, reading, spellings, homework and then tutoring??

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BeerTricksPotter · 05/10/2011 11:22

This reply has been deleted

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Flyonthewindscreen · 05/10/2011 11:22

Our school does it. I didn't realise there was a payment for school by reply though - I put straight in recycling bag.

OriginalPoster · 05/10/2011 11:24

Is it Student Support Centre? If you search it on here, there are threads every year around this time. We got a letter last week, apparently it costs thousands over 3 or 4 years, they have a hard sell and the school gets a small amount for distributing the letters. My objection was that it was accompanied by headed school paper and required an answer. We just ripped it up and told our ds1 to tell school that we didn't agree with it.

ChinaInYourHands · 05/10/2011 11:35

The school might get money from your reply. the company will get money from selling your details to third parties.

eaglewings · 05/10/2011 11:37

Our school doesn't and I hope never will

An0therName · 05/10/2011 11:41

I bet its the Student support centre we had one last year -I didn't fill it in and I complained to the school - a note came out in the newletter saying that just because they advertise something doesn't mean they endorse it
They send out leaflet for loads of things - which I imagine they get paid for - but this is the only one I object to - for having to fill in a response and for engouring the idea that very young children will need extra help

ShowOfHands · 05/10/2011 11:46

We got one. Exactly the same wording ie we don't endorse it, parents have asked, please reply blah blah. In the bin. Head is v sniffy about it.

Bramshott · 05/10/2011 11:51

We had one from school recently - I refused to open it or reply on principle, and put it straight in the recycling. I would rather they didn't get the idea that these sort of things are a good way to make money.

sugartongue · 05/10/2011 11:51

We've had this - I did not reply!

IndigoBell · 05/10/2011 13:22

This is probably from the Student Support Centre which use really heavy pressure tactics to get you to sign up to their video tutorials for £2,000!

Although I've also had them from first class learning, explore and kumon. Those I don't mind so much because they only fleece parents fro £50 - £100 per month :(

I really think it's wrong of the school, but haven't brought it up at a govs meeting :( Because some parents do think those places are great and are happy to send their kids there (and pay the money)

But I would complain about the Student Support Centre if I got that one again.

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