How do you give good feedback to your DC's school?

[LynetteScavo]

I admit I'm the first parent to phone/write to the school if I'm not happy about about something - partly because I work FT and and don't get the opportunity to have a quick word with the teacher or HT who hovers on the playground.

But sometimes I really want to say thank you, or say how well the schools team played during a weekend match (when it's been organised by outside club, so school staff don't attend)

I really am thankful for the little things the staff do, and am very proud of how the DC represent the school and play as a team. At DS1's high school I can email, but the primary school don't do emails.

I'm wishing there was a way of giving the school positive feedback - I know I'm not the only parents to feel like this, and would like to suggest something to the HT, but not sure what.

a good thing for this is a School Twitter or Facebook account. They can regularly post news and parents can put well dones and thank yous on there too.

I emailed a thank you/well done to the Head of Music after a big concert a couple of months ago (new school: we moved). The email was clearly circulated round all staff, as I've had various comments about it.

It really is a boost to staff to get positive feedback in whatever form.

Please NOT Facebook or Twitter! why don't you send a good old fashioned thank you letter

I know some schools do have twitter, and it sounds a good idea if, apparently, expensive to set up. (I've no idea why, but have heard of primaries getting someone in to do it and it costing thousands, unless you have a willing IT parent )

I guess I'll have to invest in some decent notepaper.

I've emailed the headteacher and I know on one occasion he printed it out to share with the relevant staff.

I actually think it would be really good if the school had an email just for compliments and concerns, such as "I've noticed there are loads of leaves on the path into school - if it's not possible for the caretaker to clear them, would you like some parents to help clear them?" Or the football team played really well on Saturday in the tournament.The children played really well as a team, and their behaviour was impeccable throughout."

Would it be bonkers to suggest this?

The school will have an email as will the head.

Yes, but you think they will give that out to me?

Yes, check website for email address.
Website may also have a Feedback section too.

Twitter expensive to set up??? Bizarre... My school (admittedly secondary) uses Twitter quite extensively - lots of depts have accounts and we encourage students and parents to use them.

As a teacher I love getting positive feedback - obviously it rarely happens . I've had emails, thank you notes and cards in the past. Notes/cards mean the most. I think you should just write a letter. Either post it or put it in DC's bag.

Check on school or LEA website they usually list school emails

I send letters in. that way head can share with staff involved and can be kept on file for things like Ofsted and individual teacher performance management. I also send cards in sometimes to individual teachers.

as a teacher myself we rarely get thank yous in a formal/official capacity, especially at secondary. but it means a great deal. I had one this Christmas and have proudly told my family as it means a lot and something I will always keep.

Our parents set up facebook /twitter accounts so don't think it costly but we've had issues which is why I wouldn't advice that route

Isn't there an email address on the school web site?

I'm a school governor and I know all complementary letters and Emails are circulated to relevant parties and very very much appreciated.

There is an admin email address! I'll try that.

That is the school email.

As a parent I email the individual concerned, email the school office/headteacher or write a note of thanks. I only take my own DCs to/from school once a week (I teach in a different borough) so will thank people in person when I get the chance.

As a teacher I love receiving any kind of thanks in any form - email, in person, a card or a post-it note.

Lots of LA primary schools construct their email addresses in a fairly similar way e.g. [email protected] and those who don't use that format will often have something in place to receive emails sent to that address. Generally, sending one to [email protected] or admin@... will get the email to the school admin team. An email to [email protected] will be picked up by the headteacher or possibly the senior admin officer.

My school email address claims it's something along the lines of [email protected] - emails sent to that address or to the [email protected] both reach me.

I confess to rarely checking my school email account.

A good, old fashioned, letter! Emails are impersonal. Twitter and Facebook comments feel more like a marketing exercise than a genuine thank you. Send a box of biscuits for the staff room.

Our school gives out everyone's Email and there is a system, so you can work out new teachers quite easily.

Letter oh! a you mean a paper thing. They are a real pain as all our local rural post offices have shut and I never can find one of those daft stickers with the Queen on.

why do you need to post the letter? [confsed] send it in with the child

Send it in with the child?- lol! So it can get squished at the bottom of the bag, never to see daylight again?

If a letter/form has to be handed in, and I need it to be received I leave it on the desk at reception.

I do supply the staffroom with biscuits on occasion, but not every time I want to say how nice the displays in the hall look.

DS1's high school provides all teachers emails, which makes things so much easier.

I get lots of unsquashed letters handed to me by 4 year olds ... so it can be done.

i also get lots of lovely thank you cards as do other staff if you want an alternative.