oh I've landed myself in it this time

[duvet]

I know I sound like a fussy mother but I often have these minor queries with school (doesnt help that I used to be a teacher) but never have the balls to ask or opportunity really. Anyways for ages it's been bugging me that my dd's class dont do PE and so I thought I'd email the head, cowardly I know. iIasked in a frienly way as it seemed that they were hardly doing anything her PE kit was untouched last year dd says they hardly do PE. But now she's emailed back to suggest I speak to the teacher in the morning, I'm dreading it, it's going to seem so petty I know but dd's in year 1 and I think it's a shame they dont do more PE instead classwork all the time. At the same time I dont want to come across as interfering or land my dd in it. Oh How am I going to get myself out of this one. I hope the head didnt show the email to the teacher - I'm going to look so anal! AAAHH!

Well head is taking the easy way out! Don't speak to the teacher - let the head sort it.

God i would have just asked the teacher when the dc would have PE again. You have a right to ask questions you know.

Don't worry about it!! You are not complaining are you? Just asking a question?

email back and say no you would rather that he spoke to the class teacher as you are not sure of the amounts of PE that should be done whereas he will know all this and more.

Hand it straight back to him and finsih with I shall be looking forward to your reply

I know in our school the reception children do PE, several times a week, in their normal clothes, due to the time it takes for them all to get changed and back again. Could this be happening at your school?

I was under the impression that there is a minimum amount of PE that children have to be given...

Agree with Fennel. Ds2 in Year 1 does one PE session in trainers and school uniform with top button undone, and one longer session in PE kit.

Believe 1 hour is statutory. Agree with other posters - the curriculum is the head's responsibilty, not parents'! He should be sorting it out!

My DD is in year one and does PE 3 times a week.

Yes, but if you have a basic query about your child's education then the class teacher is your first port of call. The head is there if you aren't satisfied with the class teacher's response/handling of the situation (or if there is an ongoing issue with the class teacher).

I don't think you were wrong at all to ask the question, but agree with PortandLemon you should have spoken to/written to the teacher first. If you think back to when you were a teacher, how would you have felt if a parent went to the head before speaking to you about an issue relating to your class? I think you have to assume that the head has spoken to the teacher and go prepared to apologise if she mentions it. But don't get too hung up about it, I am sure they've had far worse!

Thank you for your respnses I know what I want to ask, I think they should be entitled to 1 hour- I just need to be more confident. Your responses have given me the courage to face it tomorrow but yes I went to the head because i thought she would deal with it - that's what she's for. It's less intimidating for me and the teacher.

I'll practice my speech tonight!

Yes, but the head has overall responsibilty for delivery of the curriculum. I would be surprised if no parents dobbed me in if I hadn't taught PE for weeks!

Just think like you were back at work teaching duvet. That should give you the confidence to feel equal to Dd's teacher and not like a little girl ~ which is what happens to me!

But, for example, if my child were reporting that you hadn't taught PE for weeks, I might have a word with you to say "Ms Feenie, little Billy tells me that he hasn't done PE for weeks...?" giving us the potential opportunity to establish that (a) everyone else has been doing PE but little Billy had managed to convince you that he had a medical condition that meant he couldn't, (b) everyone has been doing PE, but in regular clothes because it's BLOODY FREEZING (c) everyone has been doing PE in PE kit but little Billy claimed to have left his PE kit at home so he's been doing it in regular clothes or possibly (d)-(z) something else.

Should you tell me that yes, you've not done PE for aaaaaaaaaaaages because frankly you think it's overrated and you can't be arsed then I would expect the head to get involved.

Solo - yes that's me - it's only later I think oh I should have said this or that!!

Hmmm, I guess. Think you would be being v kind there though, portandlemon!

I see your point PortandLemon but like I say I dnot have the balls to say "Ms Feenie, little Billy tells me that he hasn't done PE for weeks...?"

(It's so in your face dd1 is a bit young to be skipping PEtoo!)

This is so similar to our school where it appears PE is dropped by the teacher if at all possible as she hates it -the slightest drop of rain/slippery playground/bad behaviour gives her a get out!

Ms Feenie would like to point out she never ditches PE, or any subject with a statutory requirement! [halo emoticon]

Maybe just the occasional RE lesson...which kinda blows the halo, doesn't it.

Well I spoke to the teacher who had been forewarned, and surprisingly she didnt bite my head off! of course it was fine, the teacher gave the usual the hall is limited because of pracices blah blah but they are going to try and do more this term. Pleasantly she then told me how well behaved dd is in class and showed me a piece of work that dd had done and how excellent it was! So I'm actually quite glad I asked now, and came out smiling!!

See! you are a big girl! 2HP! tick!
Seriously, glad you sorted it and glad Dd is getting on so well too! that's always nice