10 things you probably would not expect about primary schools

[meredeux]

Come and help me make a list for all those parents out there who are about to send their children to school for the first time. What did know one tell you but you learned through experience?

Here is my first one:
YOU (the parent) will teach your child to read. The school will provide reading books and someone (probably not the teacher) will listen to your child for a few minutes at a time in the first couple of years maybe once a week but your child will learn to read because you will teach them that (using the school's reading books which the teacher will issue).

They are allowed to cuddle and comfort, you know! This is one of the biggest urban myths going. If they don't, then it is an individual school policy and you should challenge it.

"Young hildren learn very unevenly, so concentrating on levels is utterly stupid."

Of course it is. But that seems to be what some people on here want.

And if you're only getting one parent's evening a year that's something else you should take up with the school.

I see that too sherbetpips and I am sorry because it was never my intention when starting the thread. However, if a parent reads this before their child goes to school, then they will know that they need to plan to supplement their child's education rather than be surprised to find that their child only learns to read because they read every evening with Mummy (or Daddy).

"And if you're only getting one parent's evening a year that's something else you should take up with the school."

Completely agree seeker, and a good tip for any parent who has that problem, if there are any??

Meredeux, I think you need to change your child's school.

the primary school will think nothing of expecting you to do a drop off at 8;45, then bring your dc3 to see the fire engine at 10. then home again and lunched before 12;40 drop off for dc3 nursery class. then 3;10 pickup. And thats not including any after school activities or homework. I couldnt even get any housework done, let alone anything else. and no, this isnt a one off

seeker Fri 20-Apr-12 11:06:35
"Young hildren learn very unevenly, so concentrating on levels is utterly stupid."

Of course it is. But that seems to be what some people on here want.

I doubt any parent sends their child to school expecting to discuss levels. Its what they are given and slowly they learn to speak the language too, but are there any who would not much rather have an intelligent conversation in plain English?

"Some"? I'd say the majority. In Wales we are in a little bubble I think. Because there isn't so much competition for schools and we don't have SATS, We don't seem to get so much of the "pushy Mum" syndrome. I have to smile at some of the angsty education questions or "school places - help" type posts on here sometimes. If the school is not failing, your child is happy and you are willing and able to put in a bit of effort yourself...it'll be fine!

Just to say teachers have given cuddles in KS1 at the two state primaries we have experienced and I feel that it's a very good thing.

Well, absolutely NONE of the negatives mentioned on this thread apply to ds's school. And as he's been there since reception (and is now in Y6) I feel qualified to say that.

If your child is dyslexic (or you suspect another problem) don't expect the school to notice.

I kid you not, I had been explaining to DD1s school for 4 years that DD wasn't making progress in literacy.

Six weeks before her SATs (last parents evening) they had a massive panic and found her a scribe

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1450560-No-class-teacher-one-day-a-week-is-this-reasonable

meredeux Wed 18-Apr-12 12:25:57
Teachers get half a day out of the classroom per week to prepare lessons etc. So your child may get a teaching assistant for 10% of their time in school. If the teacher is young and newly qualified, she/ he will be absent from the class for a whole day every week.

Out of interest, I texted three friendsnwith children in private school and asked whether they were expected to read with their primary age children and if so how often.

One is at hippy-dippy type school and replied with something like "well, if little Apple blossom wants to, but it's so important that I don't stifle her creative essence by directing her activity" ( I paraphrase . The other two replied with "Eh? Of course- every night!"type answers.

Why is reading with your child in the evening such an issue?

Why is reading with your child in the evening such an issue?

Its not (unless the parents can't or won't do it). The issue is that there is little or none done in school, so how exactly is the teacher supposed to know how a child is progressing/ needs extra help?

How does it work for working parents who have a childminder? Aren't your 4/5/6 year olds too tired to start learning to read by the time you get home from work and get dinner out of the way?

Er....my son is autistic with ADHD and reading was difficult for him. He has only mastered it with excellent teaching and I certainly did not listen to him read to me of an evening because he would not do it "that's school stuff". is school have worked and worked with him to support his needs - if that means your normal needs child has brought home a book and YOU gave to read because the school allocated their LIMITED resources to children like mine then TOUGH! Honestly how fucking hard is it to listen to a child read?
No wonder the teachers on this thread are pissed off - I would be too.

If it matters you can have ALL tghe things you want but it will require that you all pay a lot more tax and that the sodding Govt put it into education instead of cutting taxes for their rich buddies. Okay?

Pay for a private tutor then meredeux and take up the lack of funding with your MP. Simples!

Meredeux, just change your child's school. It is clearly crap and you are not happy with it. not all schools are the same

I have never read with any of my three unless they wanted to.
They have never had a graded reading scheme.
They all learnt to read by the middle of year 1.

meredeux Wed 18-Apr-12 12:57:00
No really I am very happy with my DC's school.

(I think I should make this a strap line or something!)

Codandchops - why is your child more deserving than mine? ((S)he's not. I would put my life on that!)

I just think that this is all going to get MUCH worse with the cuts. Why are we bashing schools and teachers given that they have to try and achieve the impossible with an ever decreasing budget.

I sit on a Governing body and the amount of work teachers put in above and beyond the normal day to day stuff parents see is HUGE! I would HATE to be a teacher.

And anyine who is a SAHM - you DO know that many schools will rip your arm off if you volunteer to go in and listen to children reading don't you?

seeker why do feel the need to set yourself up as the defender and spokesperson for state education?

As far as I'm aware, you've had two DC go through the same primary school. You have no expertise in education. In fact, you have no more experience than any of the other parents posting on here.

If they say certain things are happening in their school to their DC, who are you to seek to minimise/defend/refute? Who are you to say it's not somehting that happens elsehwere too?

His education needs are greater - without additional support he could not access the curriculum in the same way that your normal child can. That's why!

Reduced budgets mean teachers have to focus resources where the needs are greatest.

You can approach your MP about this and insist he/she raises questions about tax cuts for the rich in a time when education budgets have been slashed hich means that YOUR child is not receiving the best education input. Or you can pay private school fees or a tutor.

Not great and not right but it's how things are at the moment.

You will attend every 'celebration' assembly for 2 terms. The one you miss while you take your Grandad for his prostate injection (joy of joys) is the one in which both of your DCs will receive their class award. Other parents will post on Facebook about how disappointed your children were