Supply Teachers at Kingsdale School

[P1971]

I am a parent of a year 9 student and am very concerned about the amount of supply teachers my daughter has teaching her at the moment especially in english and science. She has not been getting much homework from them, and the homework that she is getting is of a lower standard than usual. Have any other parents of Kingsdale students been experiencing similar issues.

[Curmudgeon]

May I cordially suggest that you contact your daughter's school and discuss this with the head of year / headteacher if it concerns you. A child's education is a partnership between school and home and I'm sure if you have concerns your child's school will be happy to talk to you about it.

[P1971]

I have rang the school office but no one has got back to me which is why I was wondering if any other parents were experiencing similar issues. I totally agree with you that a child's education is a partnership between school and home.

[Saffron]

Write a brief letter to the school, expressing your concerns in the same polite straightforward way that you've done here. In the letter, ask the school to reply in writing, and also request a date and time when you would be available in person or by phone to discuss the matter.

Homework is not necessarily a good measure of classroom learning. You really need to know a bit more about the teaching that is actually happening in the classroom. It's good to speak with other parents, but definitely keep trying to get in touch with the school.

[Metallic]

Oh no, not again. Can I ask a question? If the school staff are so content why are there so many off work that they need supply teachers for a year 9 class in two subjects?

[P1971]

I don't think the teachers are off school due to being ill as it's not just a couple of weeks my daughter has had supply teachers it's been a while now hence why I'm so concerned. I would like to know if the teachers have left or are on say maternity leave but I have had no letter to inform me, and if the teachers have left how much longer until the positions are filled permanently. If any parents of students can shed some light on this I would be very grateful. I will as Saffron has suggested write a letter if I am not able to get hold of the appropriate person to speak with.

[Carbonara]

Do you not have a contact for your child's tutor group or head of year?

If you are concerned they should be your first port of call, it doesn't really matter what other parents think. Did you have a parents evening this term?

[tomk]

Lucky you were able to create a brand new persona just to complain publicly about Kingsdale.

[P1971]

Hi Carbonara

My daughters tutor group has supply teachers has done for the past 3 weeks so that is not an option, but yes her head of year is lovely and really efficient(but they have classes to teach as well as deal with parent/pupil issues) so hopefully she will be able to let me know what is going on. Might I add that I left a message with the office not with head of year directly but will do tomorrow. tomk what are you talking about?

[P1971]

also my daughter has told me that about 12 teachers have just left, and in her words her best teachers why is this and does anyone know what is going on because this is a big concern to me.

[Debi]

P1971 - you ask: 'Have any other parents of Kingsdale students been experiencing similar issues.' As a parent of students in Years 9 and 12, I can only answer 'no' to that question. I'm also not sure where this info that 12 teachers have just left has come from. I don't believe it's accurate and my children have certainly not heard this.

If you are a parent with legitimate concerns, there are many people you can contact at the school: form tutor, head of year, head of lower school and so on. I'm sure a phone call or email to info@ with the name of the person you wish to speak to in the subject line will result in a very quick response. That has always been the case in my experience and that of other parents I have spoken to.

[swannieboy]

I have 2 boys at the school in year 8 and year 10, and am experiencing no such issues. I'm very happy with Kingsdale in general, and my lads are happy there. And they are generally good on the email, as Debi said. I wouldn't put too much store in your daughter's report about 12 teachers leaving. Having been a classroom teacher (and in fact, having worked at Kingsdale years ago), rumours abound among the children. This doesn't mean that they're true.

[Metallic]

Maybe the teachers are just off sick. It is the worst term for bugs after all.

[bluesuperted]

There are so many hideous, drawn out bugs flying around at the moment, this term has been awful for staff and children at my husband's school in the area (plus mums and babies I know).

[WriterMan]

P1971 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I am a parent of a year 9 student and am very

> concerned about the amount of supply teachers my

> daughter has teaching her at the moment especially

> in english and science. She has not been getting

> much homework from them, and the homework that she

> is getting is of a lower standard than usual. Have

> any other parents of Kingsdale students been

> experiencing similar issues.

In a nutshell yes. Went to the school not so long ago because of this. There are very few of the same teachers

that were there a few years ago. all this change is not good for the kids, who want stability.

My advice is go to the head of year, arrange an appointment to express your concerns, obviously in the

context of how this affects your child.

[tomk]

Another first time poster? What a coincidence! Keeps the thread alive though, eh?