Teachers - Do schools have a list of awkward, complaining parents :-)

[SockPinchingMonster]

Just wondering really if schools have a list of parents who they think are awkward/complain a lot.
Have a bit of an issue with school at the moment, tried to discuss it with TA this morning but she was a bit snotty and just fobbed me off which led to me sending strongly worded email to school.
Is that it for me now - will my card have been marked so to speak? DH says all schools have a list of parents to watch out for - are all future teachers going to view me with suspicion :-)
Just as an aside - the email wasn't that bad but I don't like to rock the boat usually so feel bad now I've sent it.

SockPinchingMonster:

I'd say it's a two-way street. Parents also talk about teachers - the one's constantly off sick; the one's that give notes about field trips, etc... at the very last minute (i.e. evening before trip & ask for £15.49 as well); the ones that never comment on homeworks; etc...

And of course how they dress/ behave.

So it's kind of no wonder teacher's might do the same.

I personally know (as HT informed me) that teachers are a bit terrified of DH & I. But then if you will insist on paying school teachers an average salary higher than a starting University lecturer and endlessly tell us parents you're highly trained professionals with high expectations- you can't exactly blame us for holding you to high standards.

I personally feel a lot of tax payers money is disappearing into our school - and kind of enjoy the role of ensuring that taxpayers money is benefitting these pupils.

My present 'campaign' is that I know the school take the pupil premium for FSM students but they have yet to publish their FSM policy (which is actually required - www.gov.uk/pupil-premium-information-for-schools-and-alternative-provision-settings - see bullet point under Accountability) - and asked for FSM achievement to be more transparent since our school has a dismal record for these pupils. Only 1 of 11 last year (2013) attained NC L4 in English/ Maths combined - entire Y6 cohort was 30 pupils. School Governors chose to report to parents that reason for poor performance was EAL students (for which read damn foreigners) - if I hear another white Brit working class parent complain to me about these foreign students bringing down the school's performance I may well explode! It really isn't the problem.

"But then if you will insist on... endlessly tell us parents you're highly trained professionals with high expectations- you can't exactly blame us for holding you to high standards."

So true

I never put anything in writing unless it is a request for information.

All comments/feedback/complaints are made personally.

Schools do collate emails and its best to do things verbally. Emails get misunderstood.

No formal list but I have passed on students with a quick comment about the really supportive parents and the ones who write in about everything they possibly can!
I'm a parent and a teacher. I think if a parent is concerned they should contact school and the school should appreciate that and work with them. Aren't we all just wanting the best for students??

My last school (secondary) had a list. They were designated "signposted parents" though we weren't allowed to talk about it.

The parents on it got special treatment for their children - complaints given priority/work marked before anyone else's/planners scrutinised rigorously by SMT weekly in case any concerns were flagged up. Year Heads issued the list to us each September

We have a list of parents not to be seen in a closed room alone! If they come in or make an appointment a colleague needs to be in the meeting or just outside an open door.

I have 2 DC. One with SEN and I feel my relationship with school is much harder to manage with my child with SEN. Inevitably I challenge more, question moreand demand more. It makes the relationship harder which I find sad.

I am looking forward to September and 'starting again' but do wonder what will be said at transition time about me.

Elephants...

True about the Local Resident Who Moans About Everything

I bet every school has one!

pastsellbydate why don't you become a governor? If a parent governor isn't an option you could see what other vacancies are available. Around here they often struggle to find people to fill local authority slots. Although you go into a pool and can in theory be assigned any school if there's a shortage you will probably get the school you request. Check with the local authority. I am appalled by their attitude. We have several times the national average of EAL students and they all leave Y6 at L4 or higher. All of them.

Looking at some of these I fear one of my friends' names will be on a board somewhere!!

We're a very small school and all the Mums get on really well in our year. But there is one who, although lovely, is VERY centered around what she thinks is the best thing for her DC.

He brings him late EVERY DAY. She has never done anything with him at home (reading, homework etc) because she said that he is too young to do anything like that and should be playing. She takes him out of school for the day for EVERY FAMILY BIRTHDAY as she feels those occasions are more important than being in school and has taken him out of school for two holidays.

We fear that she will be in for a shock next year when he starts in Year 1 as the school just won't put up with it... EEK...

I know she thinks she means well, but the other day I did feel quite sad when DD came home and said 'guess what Mum, 'Billy' didn't cry when his Mum left this morning and it was the first ever time that he didn't cry'. He's been there since September and it's the first time he hasn't cried when he was dropped off...

I am usually supportive, pro school, fundraiser for them, appreciative to teachers, both my parents and sister teach. However dd was being bullied aged 6 and the fix ie circle time to discuss all being nice to each other hadn't worked. I went nuclear and wrote to all the parents involved asking them to sort it. Letter was polite and professional acknowledging their ages etc. Head called me to tick me off, parents were upset.

Water off a ducks back - bullying stopped. You are not there to make friends you have to protect your child's interest. I wanted a storm of shit to fall on those boys heads so it wasn't worth them picking on dd. this happened they have left her alone since and her confidence has grown.

I think parents keep a list of awkward, complaining parents!! We have a star complainer, just seeing her there in the playground makes me wince.

DS's school staff have a small narrow minded conservative village mentality quite often. The teaching is quite bland despite the children coming from creatively/academically interesting families. I've not complained but all the parents know it needs shaking up.