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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

AIBU - teacher made son tell class he had headlice

30 replies

ferrarimum · 21/09/2016 09:26

hello
I am a first time poster so excuse any lapses in correct posting etiquette! DS age 8 had headlice which I saw and treated. I am combing him every few days, all family is checked and clear and he seems clear now. I also informed the school by letter but DS was too embarrassed to hand in so I emailed. The teacher made my son tell the whole class he had had headlice. He was so embarrassed and went into the playground to cry and also other kids made fun of him. he is pretty tough and really likes his teacher but I think this was a very mean and inappropriate response. AIBU - is this out of order for a teacher to do this to a child?

OP posts:

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GluedToTheCouch · 21/09/2016 09:31

His teacher is a dick. Public humiliation is never right. I'd have a word with him.

Notapodling · 21/09/2016 09:36

Completely out of order. They need to tell the class but our school sends out a note to all the parents informing them that there was 'a case of lice in your child's class'.
Anything like this should be dealt with completely discreetly and a teacher really should know better. Your poor DS. I'd be fuming in your position.

mogloveseggs · 21/09/2016 09:38

That is awful! I'd be making an appointment to see the head in this case.

ferrarimum · 21/09/2016 09:38

thanks. i have emailed the school asking the teacher to call me as I
cant get to school today. i don't want to sour a new relationship with a new teacher so i have to calm down my anger before we speak...

OP posts:

user789653241 · 21/09/2016 09:39

That sounds awful, poor ds.

My ds's school had several incidents of headlice over the years, but we never knew who actually had it. It always came as a whole class letter to everone to check children.

user789653241 · 21/09/2016 09:41

Also there's possibility he got it from someone in his class!

TheHobbitMum · 21/09/2016 09:41

Can you see the headteacher? This is absolutely not acceptable

bearleftmonkeyright · 21/09/2016 09:43

I'm so sorry this has happened to your son. It is completely unacceptable for the teacher to do this. I hope you get it resolved. I would be going to see the head.

Ineededtonamechange · 21/09/2016 09:44

Wow - this is spiteful horrible behaviour. See the head once you have spoken to the teacher.

BiddyPop · 21/09/2016 09:45

Like others, we get the letter home of "there is a case of headlice in your child's class, please check your child and treat as necessary".

WickedLazy · 21/09/2016 09:45

I would be furious. Your poor ds!

Completely unacceptable. You thought you were doing the school a bloody favour and this is how they repay you?

t4nut · 21/09/2016 09:47

Oh gods here we go again.

Before you comment and instruct the OP to go marching into school like a demented illinformed she bear be sure that is what actually happened.....

strongswans · 21/09/2016 09:47

Unacceptable! Your poor ds should not have been treated like that, I would be furious and asking to speak with the head.

Youarenotprepared · 21/09/2016 09:49

You need to try and find out if this actually happened first. Can you ask other parents? See if their kids mention it?

If the story checks up the go in and kick up a fuss.

WatchingFromTheWings · 21/09/2016 09:56

That's out of order. My understanding is that schools aren't allowed to single out or speak to the parents of the child with nits. My DD's class had major problems with nits when she was smaller (lots of girls with very long hair and parents never checking or treating). I asked the teacher if they couldn't have a word and was told they're not allowed to. They can only send letters out to every parent advising there is an issue.

I'd be speaking to the Head though, not the teacher.

itching like mad now

ferrarimum · 21/09/2016 10:00

school just emailed asking why i want an appointment with class teacher. so i told them but said I wanted to hear from her in case wires crossed etc. Son can exaggerate (aka make things up) but he did cry when he got home last night and didn't want to go to school this am, so something happened.
There is definitely the chance he is totally exaggerating. But even if she asked the class to put their hand up if they have head lice for example I still think that would be unwise and set kids up for ridicule.

OP posts:

Yokohamajojo · 21/09/2016 10:13

That is awful, we have had letters that head lice is going around but never ever have we known who had it? why should we or the kids, they spread and if a few have it it's totally impossible to know where it started and not very useful info anyway! poor your DS, mine would have been mortified

bearleftmonkeyright · 21/09/2016 10:16

I find that an odd response to be honest. If I need to see my childrens class teacher I usually leave a message with the office and they get back to me with availability. You do sound like a level headed parent, well aware that children get things wrong but this does need to be discussed with the teacher.

Mumofaboy123 · 21/09/2016 11:30

Awful, is the head teacher approachable?

Partybugs · 21/09/2016 11:33

Head lice can drive anyone bonkers!! But to personally humiliate a child like that, I would go bat shit! She singled him out publically!!?!? Poor boy.

admission · 21/09/2016 12:51

Think that if you can confirm that the teacher did single out your child then I would have no hesitation in going to the head teacher about it. It is unfortunate that some teachers do not seem to understand that they need to consider others ( and especially their pupils) in what they say and how they say it. The head teacher needs to know that there is the potential for this teacher to say the wrong things and for the teacher to realise that they have made a mistake. Only if the mistake is pointed out, will the teacher improve.

Shurelyshomemistake · 21/09/2016 12:52

If this really did happen as your son described, I would want the teacher to stand up in front of the class and publicly apologise for humiliating your son. What's good for the goose, and all that.

I would be appalled if this really did happen and would seriously question that teachers' judgement. And I'm not generally an appalled parent.

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PovertyPain · 21/09/2016 12:57

That is a strange response. I wonder have they heard something about what has happened and are trying to think of a way to play it down.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 21/09/2016 13:01

It's only nits. They all get it at some stage so nothing to be ashamed of so I'd probably make that point to DS. He's been treated and checked so it's not like he's infested and infecting others.

Humiliating children is obviously not on but I do agree finding out the facts first would be a good idea.

ROSY2016 · 21/09/2016 13:19

from nursery to year 1, never mentioned who had head lice. as a teacher shouldn't do like this. we always get letter like this
"there is a case of headlice in your child's class, please check your child and treat as necessary"

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