Year 1 feedback/communication with school

[bodyandsoul]

We never seem to hear anything from our kid's school about the work they are doing in class. The communication seems really poor (they had a 'sharing assembly' last week, at three days' notice, but this just consisted in the kids reading a few sentences out of a book about their latest IPC topic work). I have no idea what DD is doing/should be doing in maths, for instance. What I'd love is a regular email telling us what they're covering and if/how we might help them at home. Do other people get this sort of thing? What kind of feedback/communication would you expect? (The school is an Ofsted '3' and does seem lacking on initiative generally.) Thank you!

[BoysRule]

I am a teacher and have a DC is reception.

Schools should definitely communicate with parents what their children are learning - this is an Ofsted requirement and it is taken into consideration during inspections.

However, I think there is often a huge discrepancy between the level of information some parents want and what is necessary or achievable. A newsletter each term, perhaps with a curriculum map, imo should be enough. If you know the topics covered you can take your child out for relevant trips, get relevant books from the library etc. Parents evenings should be a time to look at books and what your child has been doing. All schools have a policy where if you want to know more about how your child is doing you can make an appointment with the teacher at any time.

Parents cannot expect to get a weekly summary of their child's work - for example, maths covered and how much your child understood, writing they did with points to improve, words they are struggling with reading etc. There are at least 30 children in your child's class - their teacher cannot possible be expected to do this.

Pastsellbydate - it might seem simple to you to send home a printed bit of ICT work or a piece of writing etc but it really isn't that simple. Writing is generally done in a book - so someone could get 30 exercise books and photocopy a page of writing and give them out? What would this achieve? Most parents wouldn't look at it, would maybe criticise it as it would be out of context and they wouldn't know what the objective of the piece was and the teacher would have 30 parents at the door asking what they can do to improve it.

We have to trust teachers and trust schools to inform us if there is a problem and to let us see what the have done at parents evenings. If you want to know what your child's writing is like - get them to write you a story!

[juniper9]

My Head is so scared of the parents that she fears sending books home in case they find errors in the marking, which of course they will because it's inevitable that the teacher will make a mistake at some point. Ergo they go in the bin.

I think it's disgusting that we show such little respect to the children's work, but then when I've sent work home I either get rolling eyes from the parents or else they bin it there and then. If we sent home writing the parents would just pick out all of the spelling mistakes and handwriting issues rather than praising their children's creativity.

It's an unpleasant culture that's been created, but I don't see how that's going to change. We actually do send home a newsletter each half term, but it always just feels like we're handing the parents a weapon to use against us. It feels like the parents are just waiting for us to slip up so they can run off to the head to bitch about us.

I hope this is just an unusual situation in my school and isn't similar in other places.

[PastSellByDate]

sorry juniper should be 'hear' - didn't proof read - fear there's probably more typos but have to dash ....

[PastSellByDate]

Juniper 9

Absolutely here you that juggling home & work is difficult & a new baby in the mix must be daunting.

Don't get me wrong - I agree that you are 'piggy in the middle' trying to please everybody and probably not succeeding as much as you'd like.

But...

Is it so hard to send home a piece of writing work (I don't expect it to be marked - but would like to see what they've been doing).

Is it so hard to send along a nice piece of artwork or print out ICT work?

These things never come home -

they're needed for the classroom display/ hall display, they're needed for OFSTED, they're needed for various books where work is pasted in, etc....

I'm just trying to query why 1-2 things across the span of a week couldn't wind their way home. I don't expect the Pharaonic mask to be marked; I don't expect the writing to be leveled; I don't expect the maths problems to be corrected (although DD1 reports that they switch worksheets and mark each others work every numeracy lesson - so they are marked at our school at least) - but it would be lovely now and then, for lowly old Mum and Dad to see a bit of what is going on in class.

Too much 'floor show' - presenting best face for parents evening/ OFSTED and too little emphasis on day to day normalcy.

Now I say this against a context of endless initiatives rolled out (largely for benefit of OFSTED inspection in 2012) which bit by bit have fallen by the wayside. No explanation to parents - just a general muttering in the playground - Hey, does your DC say anything about learning Spanish these days - I can't get any impression its going on any more?

I know nothing will change - certainly pleasing parents has never been the priority - so apologies for the rant and for my feeling it's such a dreadful shame to exclude those most interested in understanding what their children are learning and supporting them in that.

[MidniteScribbler]

If you don't like your job, get out as teaching isn't a job to be in if you don't enjoy it!

This is a ridiculous statement. There is no job that everyone loves 100% of the time. Every job has components that aren't as enjoyable as other parts. I love my job, I wouldn't do it if I didn't, but that doesn't mean that I can't recognise areas that could be better or components that I inwardly cringe at having to do.

[jussi]

Good. Glad to hear it. I guess I'm being a bit harsh! I know there are great teachers and schools out there but unfortunately, in the present climate many teachers seem to have lost their perspective, are under an undue amount of stress and if ofsted say jump, they ask how high- to ensure they are 'safe' and understandably too.
Just that I have come across many teachers who are mainly interested in having written evidence in every single lesson, practicals are cut short, children who have a fear of writing just tune out or panic, parents aren't communicated to- if they ask for old work/ books they aren't allowed them as ofsted needs them. I'm not blaming the teacher for doing what they have been told to do but they shouldn't lose sight of what is important and as said, I really do believe a 3 way communication between teacher, parent and child is essential for optimum success.

[mrz]

The bit about pleasing Ofsted - my priority is and always will be, doing what is right for my pupils.

[jussi]

Um, I am a teacher. Therefore am fully aware of the job spec thanks, no need to list everything. As mentioned, personally, I think it's pretty important to let parents know what's going in so they have the choice as to whether to become involved or not.
You have your priorities, I have mine.
I agree teachers have a massive workload and tbf, I haven't come across one ' fully happy school' in recent times. Those requiring improvement are stressed in order to improve, those that are outstanding are stressed in order to maintain their status.
I've said it before and I say this as a parent and teacher that ofsted should visit unannounced, see each school for what it really is.
If you don't like your job, get out as teaching isn't a job to be in if you don't enjoy it!

[juniper9]

We don't use textbooks or photo-copyable books. Every resource I use, I have made myself. Most of them are number cards etc so the children create different problems, which makes it a pain to mark, but far more interesting for them... which is why I do it.

I cannot send home the resources I've made. Even if I did send home worksheets, they'd have to be differentiated. Parents would expect them to be marked. That's just homework, then. We'd have parents complaining that they didn't understand the methods we taught and ergo couldn't help their children, or that they don't agree with our methods etc.

PSBD- perhaps you've somehow forgotten that lots of teachers are parents too? It's not a 'them and us' system. My partner bought me a time management book. I haven't had a chance to read it. Generally, I have no evenings off when I'm at work. I love my job and I love my classes, but the never ending to-do list makes it very stressful, and the lack of thanks and the unachievable expectations makes it not so fun. I'm seriously questioning whether or not I'll have time to do my job properly now I have a baby. There's no way I can dedicate the time to the job like I have done previously; well, not if I want to see my own child.

[MidniteScribbler]

Obviously the last ones NewName. Remember, teachers are supposed to be utterly devoted to their jobs and have no personal lives at all.

[NewNameforNewTerm]

So if you were a teacher which bits would you rather I left out to give time to write a newsletter that probably only a handful of parents would read? Take your pick of a couple of these:
Hearing your child read
Planning effectively.
Providing suitably differentiated work instead of giving the whole class the same level
Marking their work to see if they've understood what I've taught
Planning & preparing catch up interventions for those falling behind
Planning & preparing extension activities for more able children.
Meeting with speech therapists about child/ren who need support.
Ditto Educational psychologist
Ditto Behaviour support workers/advisors
Ditto Social workers about children at risk
Writing IEPs and meeting with parents to discuss support for their child with SEN
Finding appropriate homework for each child
Spending some lunchtime and breaktimes with a recently bereaved child
Supervising playground duties so children are safe
Running after school clubs so the children can have free gymnastics lessons and cycling safety sessions.

Or maybe you'd rather pick from one of these:
Me spending an hour or two with my husband
Sunday lunch with my children and grandchildren
Cooking a meal in the evening
Sleep...?

[jussi]

Which bit mrz?

[NormHonal]

We get a weekly email with a few bits of information on it (year one). DC1 can now tell me what she's done, and I make a point to ask her.

Fortunately we also have a few parents who go and help in class, I do too when I can, and talking amongst ourselves we find out a lot about what they are doing.

[mrz]

Sorry jussi but that's utter rubbish!

[jussi]

What parents need to realise is that teachers are trying to please Ofsted,not parents. Those who said newsletters are way down the list of priorities are clearly not prioritising correctly.Communication between parents and teachers is key to any success from the child. End of.

[mrz]

Extract from HMCI’s message to Inspectors 22 January 2014 regarding teaching.

“There is so much more that could be said about teaching without infringing the professional judgement of teachers to decide the most appropriate style of teaching to get the best out of their students. For example:


• Are low expectations resulting in worksheets being used

[PastSellByDate]

NewName:

apologies for tone - but

1. parents are NEVER told what exactly you are doing. We could be an ally here - if you can't sent work home because the 'rules' now preclude you sending work home don't you think getting millions of parents angry that they are seeing NOTHING of their children's work and this is unnecessary would help reduce the bureaucracy?
   
   
2. TEXTBOOKS - it may just be our LEA - but our schools don't use textbooks - but photocopy from them. So children are filling in worksheets (say LETTs comprehension workbooks) in class over a number of days. Now I can see if it is a big project and the one worksheet then there is a dilemma - does the teacher retain this to document progress or does the child get to take this home to show a parent a great piece of writing.
   
   It is a sorry state of affairs that the needs of the bureaucracy outweigh the needs of the child - because what child doesn't like proudly showing off work to their parents and what parent doesn't like being proud of their kid.
   
   
3. FEEDBACK/ EXPLANATION - again I commend you for 9 meetings a year and fortnightly open evenings and termly curriculum meetings - but again, that would only be happening in private schools in this LEA. Nothing like that exists in the state sector around here.
   
   This is where as a parent I find the English primary system exasperating. I get that teachers want to be treated as professionals - but wouldn't the professional thing be for EVERY STATE SCHOOL (presuming you're at a state school) to be doing what you're doing - 9 parent/ teacher meetings a year, fortnightly open evenings, termly curriculum meetings. (or at least have an agreed minimum - which maybe you do - and that might be what our school is doing?)
   
   My attitude comes from the fact that it's a postcode lottery. And indeed a financial one. If you can afford it, yes, you can buy yourself this kind of oversight & communication - but if you can't and you live in the wrong area of town - sorry, it's one parent/ teacher evening a year, no newsletters from the school for months (please parents understand that we're terribly busy) and no examples of work (even art) sent home.
   
   Parents have always wanted to understand how their children are doing. Teachers are saying they're overworked. It seems to me that Teaching Unions should be arguing for less documentation of progress being retained in return for more directly sending examples of work home to parents, thereby communicating to parents more effectively what their children are doing in school. Given there is now such a thing as scanning - it really isn't impossible to scan in a piece of work if it is critical it is retained as an example of learning progress).
   
   It is worrying that the people most interested in knowing what their children are doing/ how their children are doing receive the lowest priority from the teaching profession. Yet even our school spouts on endless about how children who are supported in learning at home do better.
   
   One thing I will say is I think these novella style end of year reports really don't have to be so long-winded (clearly hugely time consuming for teachers as well).

[PastSellByDate]

Juniper

I get the point that you're overworked - but would respectfully remind you many parents also are overworked and many working Mums (including me) at our school are going without breaks/ lunch to rush to collect our kids at 3 and then teaching them in the afternoon before dinner the things we feel are important (like division, reading children's classics, etc...) - so I think it would be helpful if you didn't presume that parents have nothing to do other than complain.

Second the OP said it would be nice to know more about what is going on and how she could help:

WHAT IS GOING ON:

Curriculum plan for half term. This in theory should be filed with SMT and exist prior to commencing half-term. It most likely isn't on the back of a napkin and should be digitally created. Therefore in theory (even if you have to scan the napkin) it should take

[MidniteScribbler]

Genuinely it doesn't take any effort at all for a teacher to send home a range of worksheets reflecting what the children have been doing in class each week.

Education has moved on, worksheets don't have much place in a modern classroom anymore. Plus, teachers now have to keep evidence of the student progress for end of semester reports and for evaluations (and for our own performance reviews). I have a folder for each student in my class which will get sent home at end of year, but not before. Parents are however, welcome to come in to the classroom before or after school on any day and view it for themselves.

[juniper9]

I think ecommunication is the way forwards, but my school is not very active.

PSBD, perhaps, like Gove, you should spend a term teaching and then get back to me about time management. As has been said before (and yes, I get it, teachers moan) it's not unusual for us to do 60 hour weeks. I'm sorry if it's not to your pleasing (and you obviously have your own axe to grind with your DC's school) but thinks must be prioritised. When I'm at work, I do 60 hours of necessary work. The rest has to fit in too, but god knows where.

[mydadsdaughter]

We get a letter at beginning of term detailing all the topics, phonics, maths, science etc they are covering during that term, we also have an up to date website and a fantastic Twitter account so you can follow your child's class and what they are up to, most classes update at least two or three times a week, I must say our school is very good at communicating with parents now.

[MilkRunningOutAgain]

We get a half termly plan of the work they will be doing for each subject, this is emailed to me and is quite informative, one open evening a term when you can go into the classroom and look at their work, and of course parents evenings, when again we can look at their books before speaking to the teacher, we get these twice a year.
And they each have a homework folder, which gets thicker throughout the year as they do their homework, and this is marked weekly.

I think the school does this well, and I don't think it's too difficult for the teachers to do. I read the plans with each dc and attempt to get them excited about what the half term will bring. This works for dd, but not for DS!

[NewNameforNewTerm]

And back in the day we didn't have to justify and show progress for every minute we have the children during the school day. Even twenty minutes sorting a handful of worksheets from the week's work to send home could not be justified by us.

I do value communication with parents and send termly newsletters explaining our topic, I have fortnightly open-house after school, nine parents evenings a year, termly curriculum evenings ... but I do find your tone, PSBD rather insulting that teachers are lazy and incapable of organisation because we don't do what you expect.

[NewNameforNewTerm]

"Genuinely it doesn't take any effort at all for a teacher to send home a range of worksheets reflecting what the children have been doing in class each week."
Little confused here; are you asking for some of the completed worksheets we have "done" in lessons or separate fresh worksheets? Both do take additional teacher time for just the few parents who bother looking at it.

I don't about your school, but the schools I have close contact with don't do worksheets. Finding them to reflect what I've done in class would take me time. Sending books would be a nightmare when they are lost, damaged or forgotten, as I need them for almost every lesson and they are the evidence trail in making my level judgments that are regularly scrutinised by SLT, advisors and inspectors. (but equally the same could be said of worksheets)

[ohdofeckorf]

Same here with regards to communication. Yet all of my Dc's CT's always seem to have the time to inform us of the negative aspects at the end of every single school day........