Opinions please guys
09 December 2010, 02:51 PM
#31
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I must say I am bit shocked at this.
The one thing I might do is to make a personal enquiry on behalf of your daughter asking what their policy on school trips/outiings or other activities that are not funded by the school.
I assumed that (in my experience) all schools had a policy in place where they ask for a voluntary contribution off every parent, but as long as the cost of said activiy is covered it can go ahead regardless of weather every parent has paid the full amount.
I wouldn't leave this as it is, especially as it may be a sign of other things related.
If you daughter feels she may need some support with this situation, maybe ask if you could both make an appointment to see the head to discuss things further.
At the end of the day, the children are the ones who need to be the focus here. They possibly don't know much about discrimination, but they will know what the other children are asking or saying on the school yard when they want to know why they were sent home. That alone is an issue in itself.
This was I take it a treat for the children at Christmas? SHAME ON THAT SCHOOL!
The one thing I might do is to make a personal enquiry on behalf of your daughter asking what their policy on school trips/outiings or other activities that are not funded by the school.
I assumed that (in my experience) all schools had a policy in place where they ask for a voluntary contribution off every parent, but as long as the cost of said activiy is covered it can go ahead regardless of weather every parent has paid the full amount.
I wouldn't leave this as it is, especially as it may be a sign of other things related.
If you daughter feels she may need some support with this situation, maybe ask if you could both make an appointment to see the head to discuss things further.
At the end of the day, the children are the ones who need to be the focus here. They possibly don't know much about discrimination, but they will know what the other children are asking or saying on the school yard when they want to know why they were sent home. That alone is an issue in itself.
This was I take it a treat for the children at Christmas? SHAME ON THAT SCHOOL!
Last edited by Hysteria1983; 09 December 2010 at 02:52 PM. Reason: Just noticed it was a magician.
09 December 2010, 02:51 PM
#32
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Les, the head teacher won't see me individually as I am not the direct parent/guardian.
I am waiting for my girl to fix an appointment and I am entitled to accompany her and we'll see what the official school line is then. I will also be asking to see their policies covering such things as pupil integration, extra curricular activities, and equal opportunities.
She has been to see one of the school governors today but I have no info on the outcome yet.
She has also been on to Ofsted, but they require all the proper channels and procedures to be followed before they will become involved.
Steve.
I am waiting for my girl to fix an appointment and I am entitled to accompany her and we'll see what the official school line is then. I will also be asking to see their policies covering such things as pupil integration, extra curricular activities, and equal opportunities.
She has been to see one of the school governors today but I have no info on the outcome yet.
She has also been on to Ofsted, but they require all the proper channels and procedures to be followed before they will become involved.
Steve.
09 December 2010, 02:53 PM
#33
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You really don't get it do you?
This has nothing whatsoever to do with the cost of the event, which BTW was a visit by a magician during school time.
As I have already said had I known about this in advance there would be no question of covering the cost.
And whether my daughter could lend Alan Sugar a bob or two, again is totally irrelevant.
What this is about is that children, any children - yours or mine, have been made an example of and have been EXCLUDED from school through no fault of their own.
Just to be absolutely clear for your benefit JT, this has nothing to do with money. End of.
This has nothing whatsoever to do with the cost of the event, which BTW was a visit by a magician during school time.
As I have already said had I known about this in advance there would be no question of covering the cost.
And whether my daughter could lend Alan Sugar a bob or two, again is totally irrelevant.
What this is about is that children, any children - yours or mine, have been made an example of and have been EXCLUDED from school through no fault of their own.
Just to be absolutely clear for your benefit JT, this has nothing to do with money. End of.
09 December 2010, 02:55 PM
#34
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At the end of the day, the children are the ones who need to be the focus here. They possibly don't know much about discrimination, but they will know what the other children are asking or saying on the school yard when they want to know why they were sent home. That alone is an issue in itself.
And yes it was a Christmas treat.
09 December 2010, 02:56 PM
#35
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It has everything to do with money. Your daughter was unable to find the means to pay for her children to watch a magician. Who was it, David Copperfield in Vegas? Assuming it wasn't, it probably cost about a fiver. You've said you would have paid yet she chose not to ask you. When the school are unable set aside a teacher to sit with your grandchildren you blame the school for this perceived failing rather than look at the root cause, which is your daughter.
09 December 2010, 02:59 PM
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It has everything to do with money. Your daughter was unable to find the means to pay for her children to watch a magician. Who was it, David Copperfield in Vegas? Assuming it wasn't, it probably cost about a fiver. You've said you would have paid yet she chose not to ask you. When the school are unable set aside a teacher to sit with your grandchildren you blame the school for this perceived failing rather than look at the root cause, which is your daughter.
Fair cop, I'll not take any more bait.
09 December 2010, 02:59 PM
#37
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09 December 2010, 03:02 PM
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09 December 2010, 03:15 PM
#40
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I can only assume that the school did not have adequate staff in order to look after those children who were not going to attend the activity.
The children have not been discriminated against in any way. The payment for the trip wasn't paid, there was no one to look after the children, they children were sent home - what else would you do with them? Schools have to be VERY careful when it comes to liabilities. Only last week, my daughters school took a load of them to watch a play. one of the buses broke down and there was a bit of confusion which buses had come back and the organisation was clearly faltering. What the teachers didn't need was the parents going mad at the teachers for not knowing where the kids were (broken down bus or working bus) the teachers were making the best of the issues and some of the parents were downright rude. Only takes one to complain and it creates a royal **** storm for the school - largely fueled by the attitude of the parents.
I also dislike these comments about discrimination. Its those comments that are the sole reason why headlice in some schools is of epidemic proportions. In the past the kids were checked and if they were crawling they'd be sent home. Can't do that now as its discrimination.
To the OP, the school should have ensured that adequate staffing was available and perhaps it would have been a good idea to advise the mother in good time that the children would have to be taken home. However, a school is not a creche and shouldn't be seen as such.
The children have not been discriminated against in any way. The payment for the trip wasn't paid, there was no one to look after the children, they children were sent home - what else would you do with them? Schools have to be VERY careful when it comes to liabilities. Only last week, my daughters school took a load of them to watch a play. one of the buses broke down and there was a bit of confusion which buses had come back and the organisation was clearly faltering. What the teachers didn't need was the parents going mad at the teachers for not knowing where the kids were (broken down bus or working bus) the teachers were making the best of the issues and some of the parents were downright rude. Only takes one to complain and it creates a royal **** storm for the school - largely fueled by the attitude of the parents.
I also dislike these comments about discrimination. Its those comments that are the sole reason why headlice in some schools is of epidemic proportions. In the past the kids were checked and if they were crawling they'd be sent home. Can't do that now as its discrimination.
To the OP, the school should have ensured that adequate staffing was available and perhaps it would have been a good idea to advise the mother in good time that the children would have to be taken home. However, a school is not a creche and shouldn't be seen as such.
09 December 2010, 03:16 PM
#41
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I've elaborated above but I'll repeat myself for your benefit. Daughter couldn't muster up a fiver for her kiddies to see a magician for a treat. Dad would have paid for grandchildren to enjoy the spectacle but daughter fails to ask dad. School are blamed for not handling the fall-out in the way the daughter and dad would like. Farcical.
09 December 2010, 03:22 PM
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How do we know that didn't happen? The text may have been a reminder for all we know.
09 December 2010, 03:23 PM
#43
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I would have thought that this took place on school grounds? As magicians or 'the animal man' who it is who visits my children school, usually come to the school and set up in the hall.
If it was a trip out of the school then I can see how the children might not be able to go if there were not enough funds for them to do so.
If it were on school grounds then there should be a procedure in place where all the children who have not funded the activiy have something alternative to do. If there was a very small number of non paying children, then surely it wouldn't have harmed to allow them to attend regardless of the money situation?
I think a lack of communication is what is at fault here. The school cannot simply call a parent and expect that their children can go home for the afternoon. In most cases that just cannot happen.
Still the damage is done now, and it is the children who I feel for.
If it was a trip out of the school then I can see how the children might not be able to go if there were not enough funds for them to do so.
If it were on school grounds then there should be a procedure in place where all the children who have not funded the activiy have something alternative to do. If there was a very small number of non paying children, then surely it wouldn't have harmed to allow them to attend regardless of the money situation?
I think a lack of communication is what is at fault here. The school cannot simply call a parent and expect that their children can go home for the afternoon. In most cases that just cannot happen.
Still the damage is done now, and it is the children who I feel for.
09 December 2010, 03:25 PM
#44
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I've elaborated above but I'll repeat myself for your benefit. Daughter couldn't muster up a fiver for her kiddies to see a magician for a treat. Dad would have paid for grandchildren to enjoy the spectacle but daughter fails to ask dad. School are blamed for not handling the fall-out in the way the daughter and dad would like. Farcical.
I'm assuming you are a parent as you seem so hot on this subject.
So what, £5.00 is a drop in the ocean to you.......?
09 December 2010, 03:28 PM
#46
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I would have thought that this took place on school grounds? As magicians or 'the animal man' who it is who visits my children school, usually come to the school and set up in the hall.
If it was a trip out of the school then I can see how the children might not be able to go if there were not enough funds for them to do so.
If it were on school grounds then there should be a procedure in place where all the children who have not funded the activiy have something alternative to do. If there was a very small number of non paying children, then surely it wouldn't have harmed to allow them to attend regardless of the money situation?
I think a lack of communication is what is at fault here. The school cannot simply call a parent and expect that their children can go home for the afternoon. In most cases that just cannot happen.
If it was a trip out of the school then I can see how the children might not be able to go if there were not enough funds for them to do so.
If it were on school grounds then there should be a procedure in place where all the children who have not funded the activiy have something alternative to do. If there was a very small number of non paying children, then surely it wouldn't have harmed to allow them to attend regardless of the money situation?
I think a lack of communication is what is at fault here. The school cannot simply call a parent and expect that their children can go home for the afternoon. In most cases that just cannot happen.
Also, although if it was me I'd probably just let them go anyway, if you let those children go that didn't pay then where do you draw the line. If the payment wasn't made then its likely the consent wasn't given either?? Think ours were given a blanket consent at the start of the term but some school and clubs (brownies for instance) need a fresh consent form every time.
Whereas I'm not going to be quite so "forthright" as others on here I don't really feel the school is completely to blame.
Last edited by EddScott; 09 December 2010 at 03:30 PM.
09 December 2010, 03:30 PM
#47
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Dad has stated clearly that he would've paid if she was unable to stump up the staggering fee. Poor kids.
09 December 2010, 03:31 PM
#48
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I can only assume that the school did not have adequate staff in order to look after those children who were not going to attend the activity.
The children have not been discriminated against in any way. The payment for the trip wasn't paid, there was no one to look after the children, they children were sent home - what else would you do with them? Schools have to be VERY careful when it comes to liabilities. Only last week, my daughters school took a load of them to watch a play. one of the buses broke down and there was a bit of confusion which buses had come back and the organisation was clearly faltering. What the teachers didn't need was the parents going mad at the teachers for not knowing where the kids were (broken down bus or working bus) the teachers were making the best of the issues and some of the parents were downright rude. Only takes one to complain and it creates a royal **** storm for the school - largely fueled by the attitude of the parents.
I also dislike these comments about discrimination. Its those comments that are the sole reason why headlice in some schools is of epidemic proportions. In the past the kids were checked and if they were crawling they'd be sent home. Can't do that now as its discrimination.
To the OP, the school should have ensured that adequate staffing was available and perhaps it would have been a good idea to advise the mother in good time that the children would have to be taken home. However, a school is not a creche and shouldn't be seen as such.
The children have not been discriminated against in any way. The payment for the trip wasn't paid, there was no one to look after the children, they children were sent home - what else would you do with them? Schools have to be VERY careful when it comes to liabilities. Only last week, my daughters school took a load of them to watch a play. one of the buses broke down and there was a bit of confusion which buses had come back and the organisation was clearly faltering. What the teachers didn't need was the parents going mad at the teachers for not knowing where the kids were (broken down bus or working bus) the teachers were making the best of the issues and some of the parents were downright rude. Only takes one to complain and it creates a royal **** storm for the school - largely fueled by the attitude of the parents.
I also dislike these comments about discrimination. Its those comments that are the sole reason why headlice in some schools is of epidemic proportions. In the past the kids were checked and if they were crawling they'd be sent home. Can't do that now as its discrimination.
To the OP, the school should have ensured that adequate staffing was available and perhaps it would have been a good idea to advise the mother in good time that the children would have to be taken home. However, a school is not a creche and shouldn't be seen as such.
I'm not anti-school, but I do feel the school has failed in it's DoC to these kids.
The school knew well in advance that there would be no payment forthcoming for this treat, yet they made no effort to prepare my girl to keep the children out for the duration. Instead she received a text message to collect the children 30 minutes before the event started. She was at work and was obliged to take time off and lose the pay, so that relly helped matters in general.
I thinks it's been badly handled by the staff concerned and I want an explanation.
09 December 2010, 03:45 PM
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09 December 2010, 03:46 PM
#51
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That in itself is clearly not fair. However, why didn't anyone (parent or school) discuss what would happen with the children when the event was on? Didn't anyone think to ask where the children would go in the meantime?
Had she not been in work it wouldn't have been too much of an issue which is where I come back to the issue that a school isn't a day care centre (I only say this as I had this said to me by my daughters school when my niece visited - I thought it would be a nice change for the girls, the school thought I was trying to palm them off with the visiting child while I worked - even though they are welcome in my workplace as their grandmother is the company director!!)
Personally I'd let it go - be hacked off and I don't blame you, but let it go. Neither side is completely blameless.
Last edited by EddScott; 09 December 2010 at 03:48 PM.
09 December 2010, 03:50 PM
#52
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09 December 2010, 03:59 PM
#53
Dont these types of events usually require a letter to the parent(s) to advise of required payment, and if the parent(s) could not afford it then they would be asked to remove their children during that period of time?
If its a case of, on the day Little Timmy hasnt paid, the show will start in an hour, text his mum to come collect - I'd be discusted with the way it was handled.
Also, when is it acceptable to text instead of making a telephone call in this type of situation?
If its a case of, on the day Little Timmy hasnt paid, the show will start in an hour, text his mum to come collect - I'd be discusted with the way it was handled.
Also, when is it acceptable to text instead of making a telephone call in this type of situation?
09 December 2010, 04:03 PM
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I'm being blunt, but not harsh. Harsh is accusing the school of bullying and discrimination. The op's now talking about meetings, complaints, contacting ofsted and so forth, all because his daughter wouldn't (not couldn't) pay for her children to see Mr Majicko with the rest of the school. What a sham?! And one that makes the teachers' job even more difficult; they must absolutely dispair at this type of parent, their lack of support and peculiar indignation.
09 December 2010, 04:05 PM
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09 December 2010, 04:24 PM
#58
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My mistake .
I agree partly with jtaylor if it was my daughter I would try my best to raise the small amount it was for the school treat.
Skint or not what's a fiver?
If you dont have a fiver spare at any time, I'm sorry but you're leaving beyond your means. It'd be interesting if she smokes or has sky +
I agree partly with jtaylor if it was my daughter I would try my best to raise the small amount it was for the school treat.
Skint or not what's a fiver?
If you dont have a fiver spare at any time, I'm sorry but you're leaving beyond your means. It'd be interesting if she smokes or has sky +
