Son's school has lost his coat

bestpud

DD's school have asked parents to mark their uniform with a fabric pen as clothes have been going missing and I can only assume people are removing the name tags! So, how was it named?

One mum has written the name just under the back of the collar, on the outside of her childs' coats, with a marker pen which may be an idea if it does turn up, or for future coats.

In my experience things either turn up within a day or two, or they don't at all.

I would definitely go round and have a look when the school is empty, either first thing or after school as it is far easier, and also check the lost property yourself, as said.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say the school should take steps to protect property that is clearly named, and I would not let it go too easily.

If it wasn't named I would be saying different but it was and they should be asking other parents (via newsletter or other means) to check for it at home, as well as doing a thorough search, or, better still, allowing you to search for it.

I don't think they should replace it, as such, but rather they should do their best to find it and I'm not convinced that is happening from what you say.

jem16

bestpud wrote: »

I would definitely go round and have a look when the school is empty, either first thing or after school as it is far easier, and also check the lost property yourself, as said.

We often have parents checking lost property after school.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say the school should take steps to protect property that is clearly named, and I would not let it go too easily.

How exactly should they do this?

If it wasn't named I would be saying different but it was and they should be asking other parents (via newsletter or other means) to check for it at home, as well as doing a thorough search, or, better still, allowing you to search for it.

Asking parents to look at home would be rather fruitless. If your child came home with a different jacket with someone else's name in it would you just keep it? If anyone is going to return it they will do it without being asked.

I don't think they should replace it, as such, but rather they should do their best to find it and I'm not convinced that is happening from what you say.

The OP has said the school have looked but can't find it. How can you tell exactly how they looked?

We have two full boxes of lost property at school. At the end of every term members of the PTA go around trying to reunite lost items with owners and a lot of stuff is never claimed. Every so often the newsletter reminds parents to label clothes and to come in and check. Most schools do this. There is only so much that can be done.

Teacher2301

Most probably it's yours (and your sons). Most schools have a lost property policy and you effectively agree to bind by all school policies by attending the school. My best advice is approach his class teacher and explain the situation - ask them if this has ever happened before. Or ask if she could mention it to the class and ask if they have two coats at home (I take it is a primary school your son attends?) and that they may have taken two home instead of one (children have been know to do this - they always have a coat on over winter but the one day they don't they instinctively pick up someones coat and go home- most times parents don't realise either).

Failing these, then there isn't much else you can do. Please don't go down the 'I'll sue the school' which parents have done in the past - a) what could this achieve, b) it's a lot of stress for all parties and c) it may never be resolved and there may be a lot of antagonism caused by such action.

That - or try content's insurance ( I know not ideal but that's what insurance is for) - if you have any specific queries - I'll try and answer - especially if you want me to help with some potential questions you have for the school.

ellawood

My dd was lost a new coat she had it a week it was named we looked all over the school her teacher did help us look but we could not find it we emptyed the lost box and it was not there about 3 weeks later I was passing the lost box to pick dd up and it was sat on top I think someone took it home and took it back but just put it in the box and did not say anything even the teacher was surprised

ellawood

My dd was lost a new coat she had it a week it was named we looked all over the school her teacher did help us look but we could not find it we emptyed the lost box and it was not there about 3 weeks later I was passing the lost box to pick dd up and it was sat on top I think someone took it home and took it back but just put it in the box and did not say anything even the teacher was surprised

whatatwit

Whilst it is the child's responsibility to look after his coat, how do we know that it wasn't taken from his peg by another child?

My daughter's blazer vanished for about a month. Another parent returned it, it had been hung up in her son's wardrobe.

andyrules

'School embroidered coat' - do you mean there are a lot of children with a similar coat? If so it could easily have gone home with another child. Keep asking around, especially within the class. I've known trousers be exchanged in PE - with one child sporting them half mast and unable to fasten whilst the other is buried - they don't notice

Ask the caretaker - he/she will eventually pick up abandoned clothing, and often get the job of sorting it all out. You wouldn't believe the HUGE box of nearly new items in our lost property. You say it was labelled, so ask parents you know to check.

Failing that, I'm afraid this is an occupational hazard of owning children.

And don't blame the school, it isn't their responsibility.

Elsewhere

When I was at school PE kit and lab coats had to have the name marked on the OUTSIDE so that it was immediately obvious if you were wearing someone else's. Pity it didn't apply to all our school clothes, really.
The only item lost by my son at school was a pair of PE shorts - they were returned eventually - two years later when he had thoroughly grown out of them!

thriftlady_2

jem16 wrote: »

The school is responsible for your child's welfare not his belongings.

Thank you for saying this. One of the many reasons I am glad not to be teaching anymore is that I am no longer held responsible for children's missing belongings.

Kids lose stuff. If their stuff is named it has a better chance of coming back to you. Sometimes even that doesn't help though. My son lost a named jumper in reception which never turned up, he's in year 9 now.

bestpud

jem16 wrote: »

We often have parents checking lost property after school.



How exactly should they do this?



Asking parents to look at home would be rather fruitless. If your child came home with a different jacket with someone else's name in it would you just keep it? If anyone is going to return it they will do it without being asked.

It is a school coat and therefore, asking parents to double check they have the right name inside their childs coat is entirely appropriate imo.

You are assuming all parents are diligent about these things - many are not.

Plus, with different people picking a child up from school it is easier for parents to have an extra item without realising than you may think.

The OP has said the school have looked but can't find it. How can you tell exactly how they looked?

How can you tell they did actually look?

I know items have turned up at dd's school when they have asked other classes to check they have the right item of clothing.

We have two full boxes of lost property at school. At the end of every term members of the PTA go around trying to reunite lost items with owners and a lot of stuff is never claimed. Every so often the newsletter reminds parents to label clothes and to come in and check. Most schools do this. There is only so much that can be done.

We are obviously on different sides of the fence here and as much as you believe the parent should shrug it off, I believe they should only do so after exhausting all possibilities.

The OP is after opinions and it is good they get both sides imo.