If you work at the school your own DC go to...

TherapySquirrel · 2023-08-24T12:19:01+00:00

Are you a part of their class WhatsApp group? Or is it considered inappropriate to be in a group with other school parents?

DiscoStusMoonboots · 24/08/2023 13:58

This was years ago, but I was in my mum's class in primary. No What'sApp back then, but very involved parents socially. My dad would do all of the socialising bits and pieces, and my mum explained the reason why. No-one minded and everyone more or less respected the boundaries.

WedRine · 24/08/2023 14:14

I would check with your school. My colleague's son will be starting the school and she won't even be teaching him but has been told she can't join in the class WhatsApp group.

ProfessorGambol · 24/08/2023 20:40

We don’t have class WhatsApp groups at my school. I’ve messaged other parents to arrange parties and play dates. Only once so far have I had a parent use my personal number inappropriately (calling me on a Saturday about a lost watch!).

Phineyj · 25/08/2023 14:59

I wouldn't no. It's best to stay off social media with other parents (or students, or former students etc etc) when you teach at the school. You can always appoint a friend to send you anything crucial. I get DH to do it.

Tearsofthemushroom · 25/08/2023 19:58

I stay well away from all of that as the politics become really challenging. When parents are moaning do you tell the Head? Parents ask you questions the whole time as well.

Original poster

TherapySquirrel · 25/08/2023 21:30

Thank you all. My instinct was to stay well away, for all the reasons that have been mentioned but a couple of my DC's friends seemed surprised that I'd removed myself from the class groups even when I explained that I'm going to be working at the school. They had assumed it would be OK for me to be in the groups but just lurk and not comment. That doesn't feel comfortable though. I think I'm going to get DH to join instead so we don't miss anything.

OP posts:

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 28/08/2023 19:51

TherapySquirrel · 25/08/2023 21:30

Thank you all. My instinct was to stay well away, for all the reasons that have been mentioned but a couple of my DC's friends seemed surprised that I'd removed myself from the class groups even when I explained that I'm going to be working at the school. They had assumed it would be OK for me to be in the groups but just lurk and not comment. That doesn't feel comfortable though. I think I'm going to get DH to join instead so we don't miss anything.

You could point out it works both ways- that if you saw something really negative about a colleague, you might feel obliged to pass it on? And you want parents in the group to still feel comfortable discussing any concerns etc?

Confetto · 29/08/2023 21:20

Our class WhatsApp group has never discussed anything more than practicalities of when things are happening. There's genuinely never been a negative comment about the school at all. In my old school, I know there were staff-parents on the school Facebook group (pre WhatsApp).

TheNumberfaker · 30/08/2023 17:28

It’s no longer applicable to me, but as a TA I never had my children in my class, however they were in the same year group twice. I stayed in the WhatsApp group but my friend who was a teacher removed herself whilst her children were in the same year group. Her choice because she didn’t want to have parents contacting her privately. I was able to give school a heads-up about any issues but always stayed no comment if asked anything outside of already known information.

justgotosleepffs · 02/09/2023 12:03

Secondary teacher. DC is at my school, he moved over here ar end of Y9.

I am on the parents WhatsApp group. I figure why should DC potentially miss out just because I work there. Plus there are things that parents hear about before teachers!

You'll already be blurring the lines with DC having friends over to the house, etc. So i would join the whatsapp group but just obvs be sensible about what you say - don't join in conversations moaning about the Headteacher!