Can I do anything about a crappy games teacher who makes dodgy selection decisions

[hmc]

At a local village school. She is known for it (among the parents)

e.g. - chose son of one the teachers for Athletics competition even though he hated athletics and had no ability in it. I personally witnessed him crying and refusing to compete a couple of years ago

• regularly chooses the best friend of her daughter (also at the school) for teams in inter school events even though this best friend is less talented than a number of others pupils
  

• overlooks some children who are more able than others (whom she does select) based on how well she gets on with their parents

I feel that if I complain to the Head it could make things worse for my ds but I don't think she should get away with this cronyism

[mrz]

Do you not think the teacher whose son cried and refused to compete would have said something?

[hmc]

She wasn't there and she is in denial (has two older sons who are sporty but her youngest son isn't like them) - so, no

[UniS]

Do children who turn up for extra curricular sports sessions get chosen . Sometimes its more about commitment and less about talent.
My lad is quite fast but I don't expect him to get picked for athletics as he has chosen not to go to athletics club. He went to tag rugby club and was picked for the team.

[mrz]

She wasn't there and she is in denial and she doesn't talk to her child or realise when he is upset ... so she isn't a mother

[hmc]

Oh look Maryz is on good goady form as per usual (ignores)

[hmc]

No it's not that UniS - wouldn't mind that at all. It genuinely is cronyism

[hmc]

Apols - mrz not maryz

[mrz]

[Wellthen]

You seem to know an awful lot about this other teacher's feelings about her youngest son. I dont agree that mrz is being goady, you are being rather sensitive.

Be honest with the head. Ask what the policy is on being picked for teams and please could they remind x teacher of this. Ask not to be named and give honest reasons why. The head needs to hear that parents do not trust her to be fair.

On the other hand, it is primary school sport and not something worth getting too upset about.

[Layla001]

"Crappy games teacher"

Wow. Another reason I am on the verge of quitting after teaching for 15 years.

[OutInAllWeathers]

Are you sure it's not just about trying to give everyone a chance to participate in something and have the experience of being part of a team?

[HopOnMyChooChoo]

Is the problem that you think she should be picking your child more often? Is your child the one who you think is more 'able' than all these useless children?

There are many reasons why PE teachers pick who they pick, and for what. ability is just one of them. Personally I am delighted that there is a PE teacher who is fair and inclusive and gives others a chance, even if they are not the best. They are a bit of a rarity in my experience.

[sonlypuppyfat]

Surely it's a qualification for games teachers to make children hate PE when I was at school our games teacher would openly mock the big girl struggling to run.

[clam]

"Ask not to be named"

No. If you're going to complain about a teacher, then at least have the guts to put your name to it.

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

I think at primary school it isn't just about who is the best at an event. Our school chooses based on talent , behaviour and attitude. They will also select a child if they think the experience will be good for their confidence.

My DD who lacked confidence ( at the time) and is not very athletic was picked to take part in the borough cross country event. She loved it and it did give her a much needed boost.

My DS was apparently the best at a particular event but was told that he wouldn't be selected because of his attitude.

We got to the bottom of why my usually well behaved and respectful DS was not behaving well for this particular teacher and now based on the improvement in his attitude in PE lessons he is now going to compete in the borough sports.