Headteacher's secretaries

[sherrardk]

Anyone actually met a nice headteacher's secretary (or Headteacher's PA or School Manager or whatever else they call themselves)? The one at our local primary school has been away for six weeks and the difference was amazing - phone queries answered nicely, the tone of newsletters and general notices, etc. The 'real' one has been back since Monday and we have already had a patronising information letter about school dinners. I taught for 16 years and it was the same in the schools I worked at. What are other people's experiences?

[Barmaid]

Lol, try your average solicitor's secretary - they make beezlebub seem positively human.

[mazie]

If it was me, I would exactly what you've said here to the headteacher, they often haven't got a clue

[DTCwordfan]

if you want to be 'subtle' you can always suggest to the head-honcho that a survey of 'ways we can improve our teacher-parents communications' be conducted.....

[sherrardk]

Hi Mazie - I think he already knows, he's a bit of a wuss!

[mazie]

you can't be a wuss when dealing with children and their parents.... I had the same problem but with the head when my kids were at primary sherr. She hated me and I didn't like her much....but I still had to say my bit. My eldest is 30 now and I still remember her name such a Vache.

[mike11111]

I know where you're coming from here, a bit like doctors' receptionists. Unfortunately some Heads want to insulate themselves from children, parents and staff alike, and use admin staff as a barrier. Shortly before I retired from teaching 14 years ago, when a new, insecure Headmistress was appointed, the junior clerk was designated as Chief Finance and Principal Adminstrative Officer. She was given her own plush office and the latest technology, far grander than that of the Deputy Head. We, as teachers were told that we should not wander into her 'office' on spec with routine enquiries, but should make an appointment to see her. I kid you not! This was in 1995, so God knows what it's like now. This was one, though not the only reason, that I eagerly grasped the opportunity of early retirement from a job that I used to enjoy.

[sherrardk]

I have had a number of run-in's with the school over different things (bullying and their constant healthy eating 'advice') so I am no stranger to having my say. A lot of people in the village are not confident enough to say anything (they somehow feel it's not their place to do so) and there are a lot of army children who don't stay for too long so it's not quite like a usual school. It just gets up my nose that she looks down her nose at the village people (in the main) - she and the head suck up to the people from the camp for some bizarre reason. She's stuck with me for some time yet though (the youngest don't start school till 2012 and will be there until 2019 (how scary is that)) so I have got plenty of time to sort her out!

[karenmac60]

The secretary at my primary school was lovely - and she was the only member of staff who did dinner duty and didn't force me to eat potatoes (which I hate). She's retired now but has taken on a casual post at my work, and it wasn't just my selective memory - she's still lovely and very hardworking and efficient.

[sophie_1003]

Most of the secretaries I've spoken to when on placement at schools have been one of the friendliest members of staff in the school, along with the caretaker/'premises officer'/cleaner! Doctor's secretaries on the other hand...

[annie0000]

Ours is lovely but hasn't got a clue. Seems you can't get both nice and efficient.

There were 2 receptionists who job shared at a company I worked for tmany years ago. One was really lovely and it was a pleasant experience asking her to book a room for you or whatever, but it is unlikely that she would ever get the booking right. The other was incredibly efficient but was a miserable cow. It was a tough choice sometimes picking which day to go and do your bookings!