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

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

Primary education

Over-strict teacher - Yr 3

17 replies

Honeymum · 06/10/2009 22:17

DD1 is unhappy in her class this year. Her teacher keeps (usually the whole) class inside for one break a day on average, as a punishment for talking during class. Talking is not allowed. On the breaks that the class is allowed out, they often spend some of the time lining up. Some of the class were kept in at break one time and made to copy the dictionary definition of "quiet". The teacher shouts a lot, and is generally very negative about the class.

All of this is from DD1, obviously. She is not prone to making things up and has had a really good record so far at school. Her report last year was glowing.

I have spoken to the teacher today. I didn't say much - just that DD was unhappy and said that she didn't want to go to school one day last week. I didn't lay it on thick. He was unapologetic for what he called his "policy" and claimed that the problem (ie talking) runs through the class. He did say that DD could have her breaks if she deserved it (not his exact words but the gist). I wasn't too impressed - I didn't get the feeling that he understood or wanted to help. More that he was nervous to be challenged (albeit in a very polite way), and a bit irritated.

I am depressed about the whole situation. I will give it til half term and if things don't improve I guess I go to see him again, but would you go to see the head and if so when?

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LynetteScavo · 06/10/2009 22:25

I would go tho the head NOW!

The head will back up the teacher wehn talking to you, but will probably investigate the situation.

Do any other parents feel the same way as you?

Is this class particularly noisy? Doen't sound like the teacher is coping well, TBH.

I ahve heard teachersw like to be tough at the start of the accademic year, and loosen up later. You'll also have people say teachers don't want to miss break, so dont' give detentions lightly.

Any thing that makes your DC unhappy about school needs to be investigated now, and nipped in the bud.

Please don't wait untill after half term.

LynetteScavo · 07/10/2009 09:22

Bumping for you, Honeymum.

How old is your DD?

hotpotato11 · 07/10/2009 09:29

i don't know.If a class is undisciplined its no good for anyone.I am sure once he has got them in line he can start to ease off a bit.The old 'don't smile before xmas ' thing !

HumphreyCobbler · 07/10/2009 09:34

I think it is awful. Whole class punishments are pretty stupid, but I would worry more about a teacher who is banning talking from his year three classroom - obviously there are times for silence, but not all the time.

How can children learn in an atmosphere of repression like this? Sounds awful. I am a teacher who always had well behaved classes, so I am not an advocate for no rules, just sensible ones that benefit the children as much as the adults.

I would speak to your headteacher with your concerns.

marialuisa · 07/10/2009 10:16

That sounds pretty miserable. I've just had to sign the behaviour management policy for DD (Y4) and it states that whole class punishments will not be used. Her school is pretty strict, in a "firm but fair" way.

smee · 07/10/2009 10:50

Whole class punishments surely went out with the dark ages (so when I went to school ). Most schools seem to punish individuals, which is surely fairer and even then losing all of break time seems dim, as that's when they let off excess energy in the playground so behave better after that. I'd gather the other parents and complain as a group if you can. Might have far more impact.

Honeymum · 07/10/2009 13:26

Hello again

DD1 is almost 8. I am but I think those of you who say go to the head are probably right. I suppose I didn't want my relationship with this teacher to get off on a bad footing but there's no way round it. I have family members and a close friend who are primary teachers and all of them are about it. It is depressing. Repression is the right word to use. I can see no other reason than the teacher is inexperienced and/or not coping and/or suffering some problem outside of work which is putting him under stress.

I'll let you know how I get on...
With a heavy heart Honeymum x

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smee · 07/10/2009 13:51

Fingers crossed Honeymum, but honestly get a few others to go with you. That way it's not all about you and the HT will have to listen.

deaddei · 07/10/2009 18:05

Definitely go the head. My dds yr 5 was ruined by a teacher like this who was lazy at punishing- gave blanket detentions etc. Once made them sit arms folded through a whole Art lesson. I hated him and wished I'd done more about it at the time.

CybilLiberty · 07/10/2009 18:27

Doens't sound like the teacher has any grasp of positive discipline at all. Rather than punishing for talking why doesn't he give incentives NOT to talk, ie team points, . Also year 3 are still very young, very chatty. Def speak to The head

LynetteScavo · 07/10/2009 18:44

That's exactly what I was think while doing the hoovering this morning, CybilLiberty......childrenn respond much better to praise and rewards than punishment.

CybilLiberty · 07/10/2009 19:10

You get more bees with honey than vinegar

Honeymum · 07/10/2009 21:38

I don't think I will have too many problems with the head although he won't like to hear bad news. I should also mention that I'm a governor too....

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Berryred · 08/10/2009 21:57

when you going to see the head hun?

Ivykaty44 · 08/10/2009 22:05

Breaks are very important for children to run around and get fresh air and come back to their work refreshed.

Study and study has shown the children and adults work much much better if they are given breaks inbetween work.

All that will happen is the work through the morning will diminish and not be good nearer lunch time if there has not been a midmorning break.

I would go to the head and try and explain that it is not healthy for children not to have a break.

In the workplace it is illegal to stop a break when working over 4 hours - for very good reason. In some industries this is a health and saety matter as accidents happen.

ffs

Honeymum · 11/10/2009 22:11

May get to see the head tomorrow...

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Honeymum · 19/10/2009 22:14

Well in the end I spoke to the teacher and the head. The teacher was pretty defensive, tho' he did say that DD could have her breaks if she deserved them. And the head said whole class punishments were right out and he would look into it. That was a few days ago and I've not spoke to the head since. DD is delighted as she says things have really improved in the class. Looks like I pricked the teacher's conscience!

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