confidentiality

[pinkmook]

Hi MN'ers - bit of a question for anyone who might know (teacher maybe).

I have some conecerns/issues regarding confidentiality of discussions I have with my DS's (6) teacher.

Basically we had to move areas and he has moved school this year starting Y1 one at a new school, so he has had a llittle trouble settling in (which is to be expected I guess). However, on a few occaisions, including parents evening on Thursday just gone, the teacher has discussed his progress/problems etc infront of several other parents. This never happened at his other school (apart from parents evening which was admittledly in the school hall en masse!) and its really annoying me!

Number one I feel its unfair in that other parents might listen and think "uh oh that one is trouble" and advise their children not to play with him and secondly surely he and I are entitled to some privacy/confidentiality?

I work with offenders and If we had similar discussions in a public area we would be in huge trouble for not offering people decency/confidentiality!! Why are children not entitled to the same?

prob/maybe this should be in AIBU?!

Before I go approach the school to give this feedback what are other peoples experience? Any teachers out there give their knowledge of policies/procedures for this issue?

Thanks guys

I think it is fairly common but I believe teachers should assume that parents wish ALL matters to be confidential unless they indicate otherwise. If you begin talking to the teacher at the classroom door about such matters then I guess it is fair to assume you are okay talking about it publicly but if you ask to have a word that shoudl signal your need for privacy.

Schools are a law unto themselves!

i find it strange too. our teacher comes out after school and just discusses things in front of other parents. i wish she'd just call me in.

although i've seen one teacher chase a parent to talk to them i guess they know their child is in trouble again

"Schools are a law unto themselves!"

PLNN - yes I am rapidly finding this ^^ out!

It just annoys me - maybe next time I have an issue with some thing she does I should just announce it front of all the other parents at the door! [devil horns emoticon!]

Its such a shame for him he's had such a lot of upheaval and the bloody teacher didn't even know he had not been able to make friends until he confided in me - I thought they would have some kind of buddy system to ensure new children were included, but apparently not! And little miss prissy pants teacher moaning about him splashing in a puddle and not listening when she asked him stop is not not a big issue in my eyes - far more important is that she didnt realise he was lonely! (rant over!)