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To not like the school already?

6 replies

Potaytoes5 · 20/09/2022 12:59

As in the title. Am I being a Negative Nancy?
My DC started school a couple of weeks ago. No actual problems here, they're quite tired afterwards and I was told a couple of times some other children were pushing them over (I said go tell the teacher next time!).

What I struggle with is, they are just so bloody disorganised as a school!
I don't know if it's normal or not so please set me straight.

Examples include trouble with their lunch ordering system, it didn't work, now apparently fixed but DC didn't get added to the system. I talked to the admin team, send them all required info. DC still not getting their ordered lunches just the sandwiches- that was nearly two weeks ago.

In the summer we didn't receive the welcome pack, I enquired, then we received just half the pages (as in only one side of the pack photocopied, but it was two-sided). Had to go in the office to sort it.

Now there were some more letters with signatures needed, of course we didn't get one. I just feel fed up and it's only two weeks in!

Is it just one of those things to expect at the beginning and it should get better later or am I in for a few years of constant double checking if I'm missed out somewhere!

Name change as I feel it's a bit outing.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
vera16 · 20/09/2022 13:13

I would give it a bit longer and see if the teaching outshines the admin. I moved my similar age DC to state school reception and the admin is excellent. Much better than the scartty admin at the private school where he attended the school nursery.

watcherintherye · 20/09/2022 13:18

Bit odd that you didn’t get the welcome pack or letters to be signed, and your dc isn't in the lunch system. You’re sure you’ve sent them to the right school?

Potaytoes5 · 20/09/2022 13:21

Yes I've checked with them since, they are in the right school, they had some problems with their system and it seems to have extended into a few areas.
I know it's my PFB but it felt a bit sad when all friends were getting 'Welcome to our school we can't wait to see you!' packs and all we got is a half a photocopied documents.
I know it probably doesn't matter in the long run as long as the rest is fine but I'm getting a bit irritated!

OP posts:
Geminio · 20/09/2022 14:29

Our school admin is also a bit hit and miss.

Last year they managed to accidentally off-roll DD1 on one of their systems, I went online to top up her school lunch account and it said she had left the school!

Currently waiting to find out if DD1 got a place at a extra-curricular club, we were supposed to know by last Friday but still nothing.

It’s frustrating but I think sometimes it’s the volume of stuff they have to do. DCs school have reduced the number of office staff which has definitely had an impact and with budgets being squeezed I can’t see things getting better unfortunately.

ALittleBitSkeksis · 20/09/2022 14:36

School admin is shit across the board as far as I can tell. If the teaching is good and the kids are happy then that's the main thing.

Schools seem to operate like it's 1993; whether it's money or culture I don't know.

APurpleSquirrel · 20/09/2022 14:39

ALittleBitSkeksis · 20/09/2022 14:36

School admin is shit across the board as far as I can tell. If the teaching is good and the kids are happy then that's the main thing.

Schools seem to operate like it's 1993; whether it's money or culture I don't know.

This! Our school admin only works mornings - which was fantastic the day I got stuck on the motorway & couldn't get to pick up, but couldn't let anyone at the actual school know so had to call in PIL to collect/inform them.

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