Education Q&A – November 2024

What can I do when an angry parent approaches me in the morning with their child and says, ‘they’ve been a nightmare, can you deal with them’? (Anonymous) 

Balancing Classroom Management and Paretnal Support 

In my many years working in education, I've seen my fair share of frustrated parents coming to school in the morning, ready to unload their concerns about their child's behaviour. 

It's a tough situation because you want to support the parent while also ensuring the day starts smoothly for all students in your class. 

We would recommend using a scripted response which communicates to the parent we have acknowledged their concern and want to support them but equally need to get learners into the classroom and ready for the day. 

A Scripted Response for Morning Confrontations 

Here's is a script that has previously worked well for me: 

To the Parent: "I’m really sorry to hear you’ve had a difficult morning. Right now, I need to get all the learners into the classroom and ready for the day." 

To the Student: "Let’s get you settled and see what we can do to help you get back on track today." 

Back to the Parent: "I want to give you the time and attention this deserves. How about we catch up after school when things are quieter, or I can give you a call at the end of the day?" 

Making It Work for You 

It is important to remember you have a classroom full of students waiting for you, and it's important to manage these situations in a way that doesn't disrupt the entire class.  

Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

Be Consistent: Use this script or a similar approach every time. Consistency helps manage expectations for both the parent and the student. 

Involve Senior Leadership Team: If this situation is recurring, it's important to seek support from your SLT. They can help create a more structured plan for addressing these concerns, ensuring that you have dedicated time to talk with the parent without impacting your classroom duties. 

Set Boundaries: It's okay to set boundaries. Let the parent know that while you understand their frustrations, the morning drop-off time isn't suitable for in-depth discussions. This sets a clear expectation that while you are available to help, it needs to be at an appropriate time. 

By handling these situations with empathy and structure, you can support the parent and student while maintaining control of your classroom environment.  

It’s all about finding that balance and ensuring that both the parent feels heard and your students get the start to their day that they need.