No info at all from school re starting reception. That's crap, right?

[herbaceous]

I'm currently composing a stroppy letter to head of DS's new school, about the fact that we have had no information about the start of school, such as term dates, inset days, rough timetable, curriculum, uniform, lunch arrangements, whether/when he'll do PE/music, what he needs to be able to do, what he needs to bring, or even when the school day starts. Their website is two years out of date, and thus useless.

This is shit, right?

There was a meeting for all new parents, at which you could buy the uniform jumper, but as there were 120 families, one person selling, and five minutes to do it in, no-one stood a chance.

We met his teacher for a grand total of ten minutes, and there was no chance to meet other classmates or for him to look around. It contrasts so starkly with some friends' experiences of home visits, information packs about stuff, organised picnics for new parents, etc etc. I just feel we're leaping into the void.

Bizarre....have they actually got the right address? It could also be that any letter has gone astray. .

Yes it is crap.

We've had letters from them before, about the cursory teacher meeting date.

It was our fifth choice school, and we didn't look round it as though it was too far away. After we were allocated a place there, I emailed the school office four times, and rang it five times to try and arrange a visit. It took that long for someone to reply.

Naturally, he's my PFB (in fact PonlyB), which isn't helping I'm sure

Wasn't all that covered at the new parents' meeting?
Fairly sure DC's school gave out all the information there.
And if it wasn't, didn't you get the chance to ask questions?

Does sound extremely crud, but wrt your practical questions:

term dates & inset days Contact the LEA, most run same dates at all their schools.

rough timetable You don't need to know & they are still figuring it out. I can tell you roughly, as few schools vary much from this. Registration/Carpet time or assembly/RE, small exercise (math or English), wash hands, break & snack, carpet time, small exercise (math or English), wash hands & lunch. Afternoon will be a topic or PE.

curriculum National, really doesn't vary (England, right?)

uniform nothing at all on website?

lunch arrangements I'd bring a packed lunch.

whether/when he'll do PE/music Why wouldn't he? PE kit on day 1. Do you know what the PE kit should comprise of?

what he needs to be able to do, what he needs to bring, or even when the school day starts Turn up & see, but agree it's very crud they haven't had any proper induction sessions. He needs to wipe his own bottom, sit quiet for short spells & follow instructions.

Thanks lljkk. I'm gradually piecing together the info, but feel highly vexed that this info hasn't been provided as a matter of course.

Re uniform, it just says that it's available from the school office. Which seems to be shut during the holidays.

Re lunch, I want him to have school dinners, but it would be nice to know what sort of food it is, so I can tell him.

As for PE/music, I'm new to all this! No idea what goes on in schools...

Some information is on the website, but doesn't apply to the new site that DS is going to.

Our hot din menu goes out thru the LEA, but every school is different.

Well, indeed. The new site DS is on doesn't seem to have a proper kitchen, so I'm not sure how they'll do meals.

By asking on Facebook I've found a couple of teachers at the school who are helping me with information, such as the fact that the school day at the new site starts 10 minutes earlier than stated on the main school website. Etc.

I would say that the main thing you need to know is whether your ds will be starting part time or full time. Many schools have at least a few days of part time attendance. If this is the case, then you are unlikely to need packed lunch as he will probably go home before lunchtime.

My DS is starting Reception and will be having four weeks of half days - the other schools in the area seem to be similar. Have you not even had any settling in sessions?
We got a booklet with info about the uniform and what they'll be learning and had to fill in loads of questions about DS, medical details, contact details for home etc. I'd be very concerned, and think that a complaint letter would be justified.

He starts at 9.45 on 5 September, then full time.

No settling in. I told his teacher I wanted him to have school dins, and she just gave us an envelope for the money. No other info.

He's been asking whether he can sing in a choir at school. No bloody idea, love.

Re. Choir - very unlikely that there will be a choir for reception children, but he will do lots of singing in the classroom.

I think you need to relax a bit, annoying though the lack of information is. Take an envelope with you on the first day to put lunch money in. Lunches are likely to be between £2.00 and £2.40 per day, so take some pound coins and some silver change.

You will find out lots in the first week of term.

I suggest you wait until the end of the first week and then write to the Headteacher with some positive suggestions on what can be done to improve their transition communication from a parent's point of view.

Also, the school office is likely to be open on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th September so it would be worth you ringing then to find out whether you can go down and pick up a jumper (you may also be able to sort out lunches then too).

I know all will become clear over time, etc, but in no other area of life would it be acceptable to have such a huge life change with so little information. It just smacks of not giving a shiny shit. To not even be told what time the school day starts, when terms stry and finish etc, just shows no consideration that parents have lives to organise, etc, let alone want to be able to actually have answers for their tiny children.

It's so rude.

It does sound very unusual not to be given some basic information. I doubt the depth and detail you mention is all available yet, but it surprises me you don't know what time school starts. Can you download the school's prospectus / brochure from their website. That should contain basic timings of the school day.
You say it is a new site. Lots may depend on how new! I've heard of building / refurbishment projects still happening on the 31st August through no fault of the school! Very hectic and stressful getting everything ready for the first day of term!

I think this is pretty awful. I am a primary teacher myself, yet I found my first dc starting reception was an anxious time. I wanted all the information.

I think it WILL all be fine as other posters suggest, but it is incredibly poor practice.

The site is a Victorian school building that they've been using for a year, so they can't use that as an excuse!

And no - no prospectus or brochure on the website. I don't know the philosophy of the school, all that. It was quick enough to post up its 'good' ofsted report, however!

What actually did happen at the meeting which you attended for new parents then? Did nobody at all speak to all parents to explain some of this stuff?

Is it a split site school?

It is split site, ad of last year. One form of reception and year 1 will be at DS's site.

At the school meeting there was a welcome from the old head and new head, a bit about phonics, a bit about social education, some other blather, and a five minte opportunity for 120 to buy uniform from one person. It was very loud, with lots of children, and I frankly couldn't hear everything that was said.

Then off to see the classrooms, when questions could be asked. But as I assumed we'd be told the basics at some stage, and there was only a couple of members of staff, I confined my questions to how they'd deal with DS's medical problems, rather than sodding school jumpers. ,

It does all sound very disorganised. On the positive- old head / new head together were a bonus. When we changed heads a couple of years ago the old head did the talk despite the fact she wouldn't be there in September and the new head couldn't get there. Lots of parents were upset they hadn't seen new head prior to starting and old head had shown round any of them who had asked to visit in the lead up to applications, but at that point new one hadn't been appointed yet.

You were right to focus on your child's medical needs, as that is the most important. It may be fruitful to email and leave answer machine messages asking for a school brochure to be sent to you and enquiring about a starting school pack. I won't hold my breath, but you never know. Many schools do appear completely closed all holidays, but our office staff and head pop in several times a week at least to check post, messages and generally try and catch up with their work. Maybe contact both sites?

I've left a phone message - no one has called back

It was our fifth choice, mainly on geographic grounds. I hadn't visited the site, so when we were allocated a place I emailed four times and called four times to arrange a visit. And they said no - wait for the parent visit.

The new head seemed at least conscious, so I'm writing her a 'did you know' letter, toned down from spittle-flecked rant as ill have to deal with her for seven years. Unless one of our waiting list places come up, and I'm Out Of There.

You're over thinking.

You know the start time. You know what you need. Go to School Kit and search for your school name -most schools who sell from the school are also supplied by school kit. Either that or Simply School Wear.

When I taught reception I gave all that kind of information out in the classroom at the end of question time (I put a pack together with what I considered important info for new parents ) and attempted, not always successfully, to get the packs to anyone who didn't attend. It would be very unusual for a school not to give out starting/finishing times and very bad practice but agree with lougle that is the essential info at this point.

There is still time for them to send out info before school starts. I'd also say 'get used to it' schools are not great communicators in my experience.

Some of the stuff like choir is a bit silly, just tell PFB you don't know.

Herbaceous:

First of all relax. It will all work out. I was exactly like you and wanted to know in fine detail (primarily because we had a fabulous nursery with great communication so it seemed a real comedown to have cursory information and vague understanding about what would happen). Also I didn't get first choice school and I know what a shock that can be.

YOUR QUESTIONS:

such as term dates, inset days: Go to school websites or go to letter section - read last newsletter or look for a specific term dates letter (the school should have informed the parents at the end of the previous year - but with a change of head they may have left it to the new head). [Remember you don't know whether this is a Head leaving after years of happy service or being forced to go - this could be very political and therefore quite chaotic, but will settle once the new school year is off and running].

There also is a school diary usually on the school web page - open this up and see what they have. Useful things to note down in your own diary: dress up/ MUFTI (when you come in ordinary clothes) days (do not be the parent who forgot), parent/ teacher meeting dates (you'll probably have to sign up for a slot but good to keep those evenings clear), assemblies for Class R, inset days/ school closures (half-term, etc...).... (if none of this is truly available - which is odd - then e-mail contact address for school and explain that you can't locate the information, could they let you know what day school starts & what time - explain your childs name & date of birth - if you know who their teacher is say this too - because if if is more than one form and if children are coming on different days (which they might be organising right now) - it isn't a simple question).

rough timetable - if you still have it - look in the prospectus (should be available on-line as well) - almost every school sets this kind of thing out for prospective parents. (if you want to know dates for next year remember that teachers are now on their 'holidays' and doing background prepartory work most likely this type of thing will start to go up on the website over the next few weeks. Also bear in mind that first few weeks of Class R is about settling in, assessing children, etc... - and that the normal 'routine' won't quite be in play yet. Most schools will have a meeting with parents of reception classes to discuss school routines/ phonics/ EYFS etc... early in the school year. This is where the 'now that we've settled in, this is what we'll be doing talk happens'

curriculum - Unless they're an academy they'll be following the EYFS & national curriculum and even if they are an academy they'll still be more or less following it.

My advice is visit: <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00023-2012" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00023-2012 - remember that Class R is basically an extension of nursery school (if your DS went) and EYFS (early years foundation stage) targets are for ages 3 to 5. Your child will not be assessed against the national curriculum until they're in Year 1. Year 1 & Year 2 are Key stage 1 and Years 3 - 6 are Key stage 2.

Mumsnet has information about assessing progress in Reception here: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/assessing-progress-in-reception and general information about assessment/ progress through school here: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/introduction

uniform - check prospectus (paper copy or look for this on-line) & look at pictures of pupils in prospectus & on web - to get an impression of what kids actually wear. My advice is buy core uniform. 4 polo shirts, 2 pairs trousers, a pair of shorts (September can be warm) & plain jumper/ sweat shirt & then buy in what's popular once you've seen the school more and your DS also forms opinions. Do buy ordinary raincoat (light) & winter coat as soon as you can. At our school the school fleece (which is very comfortable) is hugely popular. [label everything (even shoes) - buy in name labels & use indellible markers as well]

lunch arrangements - again check prospectus but if you are having an individual meeting with the teacher before school starts ask then. Our school gave this info out on day 1 and all children were allowed a school meal if they hadn't brought a pack lunch and parents could pay in arrears. You can also ask on the morning and go to the office and pay then (gives you something to do after dropping off PFB and lets you see a bit more of the school when open for business)

whether/when he'll do PE/music - come on - this is a school & he & his class mates are 4 - of course he will. They'll also have 2 breaks a day and most schools allow children to roam a bit and have a quiet corner for children to nap if tired. RELAX!

what he needs to be able to do - put on shoes/ get dressed, go to loo on his own, open lunch box/ containers (if you're sending lunches in) and play well with others (helps to get in teachers good books).

what he needs to bring - Day 1: himself in school uniform & PE Kit. School will provide pens, pencils, papers and all other materials. If they need something (for an art project or something) they usually put a sign up in the window and/or send notes home.

when the school day starts: Again check prospectus - that's got to be there.

Their website is two years out of date, and thus useless. - OK this is your 5th choice school and I suspect with a Head leaving and a new one arriving things are slightly 'in flux' at the moment. But be logical. If you've read the prospectus, looked on the web and rung - what else could you do to find this stuff out. Put on your 'business head' - would you expect a client to work out what you're selling and when without any advertising. RELAX. They haven't told you/ you didn't know/ you didn't understand: When you are asked/ informed to do something - then do it.

I was a lot like you Herbaceous but the fact is that teachers and a new Head means that there's most likely a lot of politics, change & hard work going on (especially in planning changes) behind the scenes and that a parent wading in and demanding to know x, y, z in fine detail is never going to go down well.

Do you urgently need to know something? School starting time & date - yes - but I'd be really suprised if that wasn't in prospectus, on the web-site or even on aswering machine. E-mail the school contact address for information on start date & time (but be sure to add child's name, date of birth & teacher's name, if you know it).

My advice to you is that right now you need to enjoy the tail end of his last summer as your little boy. Work on skills like dressing on his own, being able to take off and put on his shoes, recognise his name, write his name. You don't have to be able to read yet - but should know about books and be able to sit quietly and be read to.

Accept that this school is going through a major management change and that right now the priority for the Head may be getting rid of poor performing staff and putting into place higher expectations on recording pupil progress, staff performance, etc... It's easy to forget that they're a business with external pressures and priorities we just don't see as a parent. Right now the school may be more focused on what their issues are than the new intake and what they might need to know. However, they'll be more than aware that new parents will need information and I suspect will be sending that kind of thing out shortly.

Finally check through your old letters and the information you were given at this big new parents meeting with the school you described. Quiet often this kind of thing was there in handouts, new student packs you were given - but it was just that you were so overloaded with information on the day you didn't absorb it. If you've lost it - e-mail the school and ask them to send you another and that it can be digital). Worse case scenario - set a deadline - say Tuesday August 27th - and if you haven't resolved when school is starting & what time - contact the school and ask.

Hang in there!

HTH

Thanks, PSBD. That's all really useful info. I am indeed making the most of the summer, with tears in my eyes, and he's very much ready for school, despite only having a July birthday. He's reading sentences, and is good at both being quiet and at boistrous friend-making activities.

Just to reiterate, though, there is no prospectus, either online or in paper form, no up-do-date newsletters online, up-to-date school diary, messages on answerphones, nothing.

I realise schools are under huge pressure to perform, and that there's no doubt a state of admin flux going on with heads changing, but if organising basic information for parents is so low down their priorities, it doesn't bode well for the future.

And yes - I may well be overthinking it all, but if it was standard practice to be so shit, all other schools in the area would also be similarly laissez faire. But they're not.