Parent-School contract question -- is this reasonable?

[CurioserAndCuriouser]

Just looking for advice on what is standard / usual.

DD has just brought home a parent-school contract for us both to sign. Mixed in with all the usual stuff about getting her there on time, making sure homework is done, etc. is something where we promise not to discuss any aspect of the school on any form of social media.

I guess I've already broken this, simply by asking the question :)

I'm kind of wondering whether this is standard, or even reasonable?

It is standard at many schools in an attempt to stop people slagging off schools on specific issues on local pages etc.

It seems standard, ignore and don't sign if you want, I would. But equally don't slag off the school, get your kid their on time etc.

"Any aspect" is very vague.

I find that when you have kids who are older than your peers, they have specific questions like "What sports do the kids at your school for PE?" "How much homework in year 7?" Which I'm happy to answer. Does that count as discussing the school?

I think that slagging off specific teachers publicly is not acceptable but some people don't know any parents who they can ask important questions like if the SENCO is helpful.

How can they enforce this if you flagged them off on an anonymous forum?

Cross that bit out. Put your reasons; too vague, what would be the repurcussions?, how would they enforce it? freedom of speech etc, then sign it and return it.

You might also ask why they haven't included the procedure if you are having difficulties resolving school issues and the school isn't being proactive on solutions.

They know things on facebook and twitter are levers to resolve things so it looks like they don't want to resolve things when they occur.

The procedure for resolving issues with the school is most definitely not to use soctal media.

The fact that some people think it is is exactly why the social media bit is included in the OP’s contract.

It’s increasingly common, OP. It’s probably been added because the school have had issues before. The wording seems vague but I guess they’re covering any eventuality. As long as you don’t start slagging off the school or named teachers or posting names/pics of children whom aren’t your, then you are unlikely to run into an issue.

We had a group of parents in my DC year who found out another child was more advanced and doing work with the older year. They made a FB group and slagged the child, their parents, the school and the teacher off. All because it wasn't fair that their children weren't given the same work.

After that the headteacher started adding a social media part to the school/pupil/parent contract.

I think any aspect is vague and a bit silly. Can you not ask what time the bake sale starts? That said I don't think people getting together on Facebook groups and gossiping is productive (even if there is an actual issue) so I can see why they put that in.

You don't have to sign it