Step-parents joining Classlist

There can be complex family relationships within a school's parent body and it may not always be appropriate for anyone other than the pupil's own parents to join to Classlist.

For this reason, if anyone other than the pupil's own parents wishes to join Classlist, be listed as a family contact, or to add a step-child to their profile then the Ambassadors and Staff Admins can require written approval from both of the child's parents.   

If a step-parent or parent's partner wishes to stay up to date on what is happening at the school then the pupil's own parent can join Classlist and keep their partner updated.   

This restriction does not cover a step-parent who is recognised by the school as having legal Parental Responsibility for the child.

Examples

Step-parents and a parent's partner need the permission of both of the child's parents to join.

This guidance would however cover the situation where someone is parent to one child at the school, and therefore a member of Classlist, and wishes to add another child at the school to their profile as a step-child.  In this case, the permission of both of a child's parents could be required for the child to be added as a step-child of the member who is not their parent.

This guidance also covers who can be listed as a Family Contact on Classlist.  Family Contacts are people that other parents may wish to contact about matters relating to a pupil listed, such as if they injure themselves on a playdate and the parent is unavailable. 

Family Contacts should only be added if they meet the criteria of being parent, guardian, grandparent or step-parent to the pupil.  In the case of step-parents, permission of both parents is also required for them to be added as Family Contacts because it implies to other parents that they have permission to take responsibility for the child.

Another situation which may occur is the parent adding a step-parent to their profile name on Classlist.  Classlist does not allow 2 names on one profile, as it needs to be clear who is sending a communication.  Therefore, in the case of step-parents it is not appropriate for a their name to be added to the parent's name as part of their profile.

It is also not allowed under Classlist's T&Cs for other people to use a parent's account to communicate.  Therefore the step-parent cannot use the parent's account to communicate under the parent's name.

Ultimately, who joins Classlist is decided by the Ambassadors and Staff Admins at your school, and they will wish to avoid any situation that can lead to conflict between parents.

Ambassadors and Staff Admins have final say over who is a member on your school's Classlist and can deactivate the account of any member that does not meet the school's criteria for joining Classlist, or who breaks Classlist's T&Cs.