Conflict of interest in school

elsien

My father was my teacher for a couple of years in primary school. One class in the age group, no other option. He was also the deputy head. If I remember rightly he was far stricter with me than with anyone else.

onlyroz

At my school I know of one teacher who taught his son. Another teacher refused to teach her daughter, who was in my class, and so we got the useless Chemistry teacher instead.

As for school trips, I used to go on the ski trips with my mum's school, along with a few other of the teachers' kids, although I didn't attend the school myself. But this was 25 years ago (and now I feel old).

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I wouldn't want to work in a position of authority over a family member. If they were objectionable, any discipline could be criticised, if they were lovely, any reward would be scrutinised.

I've seen people whose family members taught at their schools. The most successful were those where there was a complete separation between relationship and work. The disasters were where personal stuff bled through into behaviour at school - telling managers that the parent was sooo cruel and unreasonable, for example. Or where a perfectly reasonable instruction is translated into 'X bullies me at school' turning into a major family drama. And school trips are the most stressful things of all, as you are on duty 100% of the time; if that kid doesn't want to behave because you're family, that's potentially a risk to the entire group.


I'd say that there is always a conflict of interest where family members are concerned - the only variable is to what extent it is reduced through such actions as not directly supervising them.

Pollycat

suejb2 wrote: »

Both my children go to a secondary school where their cousin teaches. Neither so far have been taught by their cousin, though this may happen.

The issue of school trips arose recently and cousin said they cannot go on any trip together. Is this true and if it is (which I personally doubt) who doesn't go, teacher or student?

Thank you.

I think the only people who can answer your question will be the school staff.

I agree with arbrighton - clarify the position now before the subject of trips comes up.

tea_lover

My niece attends the school (secondary) where my sister teaches. Never been a problem for either of them and they've been on lots of the same trips.

pollypenny

For me, the sign of a good school is that teachers' own children are there. It was do with the last school in which I taught, for 20 years, and the kids were there before I was.

As it was a good school with a big catchment area, loads of us had our kids there. Never heard of any problems.

Maybe the issue if residential trip needs clarifying, but I can't see a problem.

suejb2

tensandunits wrote: »

I don't really understand what the problem would be?

,

I don't see a problem either. The same cousin went on a school trip with D.D to a theme park at the beginning of the school year ,granted,however, that was a day trip. Like I said I don't think it's true plus the trip is in a couple of years so anything can happen.Just got me thinking

Pollycat

suejb2 wrote: »

,

I don't see a problem either. The same cousin went on a school trip with D.D to a theme park at the beginning of the school year ,granted,however, that was a day trip. Like I said I don't think it's true plus the trip is in a couple of years so anything can happen.Just got me thinking

But are you going to check with the school?

Surely it doesn't matter if you don't see a problem.
If your children's specific school has a policy that teachers and pupils that are related can't go on a trip together, 18 months down the line your kids may be disappointed to learn that they won't be going to <wherever> with their friends because their teacher cousin is going.

Why would this cousin say it if it wasn't true?
I'd want to know the answer to that question.

Madmel

I teach in the secondary school that both daughters attend. I started working there 14 years ago, before either of them was in any sort of formal education. I taught DD1 in my subject in year 8, then in a different subject in years 11 & 12. I have covered DD2's class for PSHE and am currently teaching her once a fortnight. I play in the school orchestra with them and played in the pit for school shows with DD1 whilst DD2 was on stage. Nobody bats an eyelid!

Every year the choir goes away on a short tour. This summer will be the third time all 3 of us go. My boss tries to make sure that the girls are in "family" groups with colleagues, but both have been in my travel group because it made sense for us all to get dropped off together. Other staff have been in the same position with choir and it is a non-issue. I also went on a trip in September with DD1, one other girl, 7 lads and a male teacher. He was not allowed to take them away on a residential alone, and as a part-time teacher with experience of residentials, it made sense for me to go. The kids were all fine about it.

Talk to the school; I would be surprised if there is an issue.

maman

I really think this needs checking out. What you're saying OP is effectively that the school doesn't trust your cousin to have the professional integrity not to favour her relations (or doesn't want to put her in that position).


Schools all over the country have Teaching Assistants and other support staff that live locally and their children go to the same school. In independent schools it's often written in as part of the contract that staff can have their own children at the school on reduced fees.


These are just two widespread examples so it's definitely not government policy. If it's the policy of the individual school I'd be surprised but if they insisted on it then I think it's the teacher cousin who should stand back. School trips are meant to be an extension of the curriculum so it's important that the children are able to attend.