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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Another moan by a working parent about schools...

39 replies

PeachesMcLean · 23/04/2007 11:52

I've learned from DS that he has his class assembly coming up. Turns out it's this Friday! It's only 20 minutes or so (they sing a few songs and DS has a line to read out) but he's desperate for me to be there, and thankfully I can accommodate that with work, but FGS! Why hasn't the school let us know?? I think they think we can drop everything, or, even worse, that it's not a big issue and it doesn't matter whether we attend or not. DS would be sooo disappointed if I wasn't there.

The other thing that's winding me up is that they have a writing workshop every Wednesday for the infant classes. Parents are invited and it turns out, that you only get to go to it if your parent comes along. So although that's only a small handful of DS's classmates, he's desperate to go too and feels left out, because I'm at work. I've mentioned this to the teacher who runs it and again, she said, it's not a bit thing and it doesn't matter, but to my son, it's huge!

GRRRR.....

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Gingerbear · 23/04/2007 11:56

DD's school has regular Friday mass, and parents are invited along. Also, special church events - Christmas and easter for example. I know I can't make them, and don't fret about it.
Navity plays and some events are organised for after school, and parents are given plenty of notice.
TBH the staff do realise that many parents have to work.

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 23/04/2007 12:02

We have't had plenty of notice about the once a year class assembly this Friday. And although the staff do realise that parents work, they don't seem to put that into their planning. And DS knows I work, but that doesn't stop him feeling left out because I can't do the weekly workshop with him.

OP posts:

Eleusis · 23/04/2007 12:09

I would send my nanny to the writing workshop with my child.

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 23/04/2007 12:18

Errm, thanks Eleusis. Not sure if that's helping me here...

OP posts:

Eleusis · 23/04/2007 13:05

Well, I just meant tha tI think it's absurd to expect parents to be available duing the day. I would protest and wouldn't have my kid punished because his/her mum works. Working is a good and responsible choice and I would be most unhappy with a school who saw it fit to hold my kid back as a reslut.

See my thread here moaning about the very same thing.

titchy · 23/04/2007 13:37

whilst it's a shame that the school hasn't given you much notice of the class assembly, or that only children with attending parents can go to the workshop, please remember that school is not free childcare. If you work you (and your child) have to recognise that allowances have to be made. Whether that's going into the school office and asking about likely dates and the frequency of things like class assemblies, or getting your child to realise that mummy or daddy can't go to everything, you have to do it. School is to provide your child with an education, not to enable you to go to work. If you're not happy then change schools, rethink your work, be pro-active in planning ahead or put up and shut up!!!

The school is not there to do you a favour!

Clary · 23/04/2007 13:41

well said titchy.

Just when is a school supposed to organise class assemblies then? 2pm on a Saturday maybe?

Tho I agree they could have given you more notice - but after all, even that wouldn't help many WOHP to attend.

NKF · 23/04/2007 13:45

Eleusis, the writing workshop is probably pretty something you could do at home in about 10 minutes. A bit of extra practice I imagine.

pootlepod · 23/04/2007 13:46

At my last school, class assemblies were not a big issue, it was a way of getting children involved in taking the worship, not as a play IYSWIM. So it wasn't a big deal and yes parents were welcome but it didn't matter if they didn't turn up. Things like this can be arranged quite late on as well, or swopped around due to other constraints so it is very hard to give lots of notice like inset days.

Think the workshop is a different matter- guess it depends on what the aims of the workshop are?

mankyscotslass · 23/04/2007 13:46

And short notice assemblies are just as much of a pain for SAHM's anyway...i have 2 other little ones i have to arrange childcare for!

Eleusis · 23/04/2007 13:48

Oh, good grief, the school could make an effort to accommodate. The school may not be "free" childcare. But, then, it isn't exactly free is it?

beckybrastraps · 23/04/2007 13:51

I couldn't go into school on a regular basis to do a 'writing workshop' with ds, because I have dd. It isn't just working parents who can't make themselves available during the day.

NKF · 23/04/2007 13:53

I think if "accomodating" means events are arranged for evenings or weekends, then that could be a problem for lots of other people. Parents as well as teachers. I've heard parents at my child's school complaining that many teachers don't show up to the Saturday summer show. Whatever time is picked, it's a hassle for someone.

mrsjohnsimnelcake · 23/04/2007 14:01

i think the issue is the notice period, not the fact that assemblies take place.
And ,no you are not unreasonable, i would be quite annoyed if i was only given 5 days notice about something like that.
It is important for peaches' son for her to attend, so why can't the school give a month's notice? it doesn't seem beyond the wit of man to plan stuff does it?

and titchy- get yourself a smaller horse!

DominiConnor · 23/04/2007 14:05

As I mention in another thread, why do so few schools (if any) use email to communicate with parents ?

MrsWho · 23/04/2007 14:12

We get this too, very short notice, letter on Thursday about a fun run today and could parents help , oh and could thye pick up 10 mins earlier from a different school.Which would have worked out ok as I am actually off today (usually at work on Mondays) and volunteered to go but it is pouring down today and has been cancelled after all.

Everything is short notice at their school though.

Eleusis · 23/04/2007 14:12

Exactly, DC. Why isn't the information on a website with a link sent out via e-mail??? Why why why?!?!?! Surely it is faster to update the website and send an e-mail link than it is to print and hand out flyers.

titchy · 23/04/2007 14:13

I'm short - need a big horse!!!

and Eleusis - 'I just meant that I think it's absurd to expect parents to be available duing the day' so when exactly should parents be available for class assemblies? Purlease.... Absurd for your child to expect you to attend things yes, but absurd that school puts things on during the school day I think not.

NKF · 23/04/2007 14:15

I suppose there are parents who don't use emails and websites. I was on a course recently and something came up about government policies regarding technology. I wasn't listening properly but it was somethign along the lines of there being lots of miscalculation of the extent to which the Internet is used.

hana · 23/04/2007 14:15

we get info about school events, including assemblies, at the beginning of each half term - I write down anything pertaining to dd when I get it.
Is it possible that you didn't get the sheet or original letter?

BellaLasagne · 23/04/2007 14:15

LOL at "school is not free childcare."

I pay enough flippin' tax!!

NKF · 23/04/2007 14:15

And anyone can print a flyer. Not everyone can set up, maintain and update a website.

Eleusis · 23/04/2007 14:25

Titchy. I meant it is absurd that a parent has to be available during the day in order for her child to be included in a writing workshop. I have no problem with assemblies, but would think a couple weeks notice could be arranged.

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 23/04/2007 15:51

1.For heavens sake I don't expect tehm to organise class assemblies at 2pm on a Saturday but I do think letting the parents know in advance might be a good idea when a group of 5 year olds are looking forward to their parents coming.

I also realise that school isn't childcare but I do think a good education should not be based on excluding children for the unavoidable circumstances of their parents.

I just think the victim in this case is my son. And yes, I can now see how this would effect SAHMs with other children too. Again, if the school just thought for a moment, it wouldn't be excluding a whole load of kids. And whether DS is ACTUALLY missing out is besides the point, he FEELS he is.

Oooh. Sorry. Rant over. Honestly, I'm sat here working and you lot post on what I thought was a dead post! For what it's worth, I can also understand why they don't do things by email at my son's school. It's in an area with a highly transient population, a lot of parents probably don't have email access, and they ahve enough trouble ensuring parents' emergency contact numbers are up to date. I just wish they'd let me know about things in advance.

OP posts:

Hulababy · 23/04/2007 16:04

I think the key issue here has to be the amount of notice given. As said on the other thread DD's school send home a newsletter and a calendar each termT his includes dates of all events such as parent's evenings, assemblies, school trips and anything else that will affect parents and their children.

As soon as I get that it gets transcribed onto the wall calendar.

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