Yet another teacher has gone off sick...

[mum9989]

at my DCs school they seem to be having a real problem with staff. Its a small school and has been getting at least one if not 2 new teachers every year - some don't stay the whole year, some go off sick and don't come back or some go part time then leave and now my DCs teacher has is off 'sick' so it seems its happening again.
When the last teacher left I heard that parents had complained to governors and the county and/ or OFSTED but nothing has come of it as far as I know- its getting a little ridiculous and I was wondering what to do.
The problem is that its a small school and my DC are very happy so i don't want to move them but they are also getting a mish mash of teachers - but I also don't want them to be picked on if I'm one of the parents to complain.
Does anyone know the best way to approach this and whether it can be completely confidential?

High teacher turnover is not a good sign. What is the Head like?

DC say she shouts at the children, has been seen dressing down teachers in the morning in front of children and parents bringing children into school.....otherwise presents a charming front to parents on a 'presentation of the school basis'.

I would write to the chair of governors, expressing your concern re high staff turnover/sickness, and stating what you have been told/seen. Ask for your name and child's name to be kept confidential and not reported to the rest of the committee or the head. Provide another copy of your letter in which your name/address etc are not included.

Thanks provinciallady that sounds like a good idea although I've heard that the head is very chummy with the head of governors so I'm not sure how confidential it would be, that I accept is a rumour not based on evidence - I know that sounds a bit paranoid but the general gist is that there is a lack of professionality and the governor's secretary is chummy with the head too.

It really is a very small school - am worried I'll be identifiable on here too.

Report to govenors, as suggested, and if you feel nothing is being done, report again asking where you need to take your concern if you don't feel it's being taken seriously.

This should remind the govenor of HIS/HER boundaries and responsibilities.

Can I do it through one of the parent governors rather than directly to the chair as I feel that I have more chance of remaining anonymous as I know one of them.
oh yes and sorry for being pathetic but how do you think I should write it - very formally or just a more there's a high staff turnover what do you think?

Scary mum, I wonder if it is the school I moved my Dd3 from.

The HT there is a control freak who squashes "her"staff and "her"children.

Ineedalife it sounds awfully similar - I wonder....

There are quite a few schools like this. My DH has worked in one, and so have several of our friends It doesn't begin with a P does it?

If you get any suspicion that the Chair of Governors has passed on your details when you have asked for them not to, I would make a complaint about him/her. If the chair feels your complaint cannot be handled without identifying you, they should write to you and advise you of this beforehand to ask if you still want to proceed. It sounds like the whole set up of this school needs to be reviewed.

No it doesn't begin with a P provincial but I think you are right there are sevral heads who run their schools like this - I think I will approach the governors as i think the whole thing needs to be done through the proper channels as there is a need for a whole review of the school as over the last few years it has been going on like this and i think there is a general bad feeling amonst a lot of parents and obviously staff too if this is happening - there is a lot of gossip which isn't healthy but i think most pepole are thoroughly fed up.

Sounds like this school's Head is doing brilliantly - if you're Sir Michael Wilshaw, that is.
If people are telling you staff morale is at rock bottom, you must be doing something right.
I'd be looking for a different school if at all possible.

Sorry to disappoint you people, but there are an enormous number of schools like this so it is unlikely that you will identify it unless you know the town.
Only thing a teacher can do is leave, the alternative is break.

The difficulty I have is that my DC are actually happy although I don't know how much learning will happen and the other thing bar private school which we can't afford all the other schools around here don't have any places so we don't have anywhere to put them if we left.
Pointy I heard that about Sir Michael Wilshaw too - don't they understand they can't treat people like this - especially the people we entrust our children to.