The Student Support Centre

Becles

My boys have come home from school with some information about The Student Support Centre:
http://www.student-support.co.uk/
It's a home tutor scheme to give children extra coaching in maths, english and reading.

I'm not interested in this as my children are doing fine at school and with the tasks I set them at home, and I don't feel we need it. If we did, my Dad is a retired teacher, so I would go to him for free!

What has annoyed me is that the letter states that we must fill in the reply slip and return it to school, even if we are not interested in the service so the school is aware we have seen the letter. The reply slips are then passed onto The Student Support Centre.

Why do The Student Support Centre need my name, address, telephone number and the names and ages of my children, if I am not interested in their services?

I'm sending the blank forms back with a covering letter saying I've seen them and I'm not interested, but I'm not filling the forms in as I don't want my personal details passed on.

Just wondered if anyone else has had these letters, and did you fill them in?

bestpud

Yes my older two used to get them.

We didn't send them back, and the first time, dd's teacher had a right go at her when she said we were not returning it as we aren't interested. I complained to the teacher and she said, it clearly states that it should be returned regardless of interest! She didn't know why they wanted the info, or so she said.

I found this astounding too - the school telling children off for not returning these cards with details when they are for a private company and they don't even know why they need filling in!!!

After that we just ripped them up as soon as they came home.

I wondered at the time whether they pay the school in some way for responses as there must be some motivation for sending them out and chasing parents for replies?

Ellie2758

I am disgusted too. what an absolute cheek!

HugoSP

I suspect that the Data Protection Act would forbid the school from passing on your details to a third party without your permission.

If they need extra details from you because of this then my guess is that your right NOT to provide them would be within the same act.

I think a letter to the LEA would do the trick

BargainBoris

Interested to read your posts as we have recieved the leaflet today. It came witha very carefully worded letter from the headmaster that was careful to stop short of recommending the service but stated that it "might be of interest" to parents. As you have remarked, we are supposed to reply confirming receipt "by tomorrow".

My wife and I thought this was a bit strange, but as often happens when children are involved, your emotional reaction kicks in and you worry about whether everyone else will be signing up and steaming ahead of them in class ;-)

My guess is that is eactly what this company hopes for. The leaflet is scant on detail and no doubt will result in some high pressure sales calls "can your child afford to miss out on this.." etc

As to why schools pass these on, this link may be a clue: http://education.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1132008

I should stress I have had no contact with this organisation - this is all pure speculation. Be good to hear from someone who has taken part - or some whistle-blowing salesman?

rosysparkle

Normally through to a specific Key Stage or to GCSE. However, this is dependent on each family's particular circumstances and will vary considerably depending on the number of children in a family, their ages and current achievement levels. In addition, the length of time it takes to complete the programme is, of course, dependant on how much of the programme the parents choose to take.

Oops.

I can't find any indication of cost on the website.