My daughters teacher in year 3 is absent three days a week!

[Photonicky]

I'm really fed up as my DD's year 3 teacher has been out of the classroom three days a week since the beginning of term, as he has been given the SENCO roll too.
We went to the Head to complain at the large amount of different teachers filling in. Her main defense is that the school has 25% SENCO and is an all inclusive inner london
primary school. Well what about the other 75% of the class, they are being held back. Surely a school with such a high demand for SENCO should have a dedicated teacher for this.
How can we fight this ?

[Dysgu]

I am not sure about how to fight this but would suggest that, having spoken to the HT already then maybe you should try the Governing Body.

I speak here as a teacher.

I used to work in a primary school and, for the last 2 years I was also the SENCo. The first year was very difficult as the 1.5 days when I was not in the classroom were covered by different teachers - this meant I was still planning and marking most of this time.

I then went to the HT and said I was not going to continue with the SENCo role without proper support - both for myself and the class I was teaching.

Things improved - I then had a class share with one other teacher (the Deputy HT) and it was better all round.

I would suggest that you might suggest this solution to the HT or Governing Body.If they are paying supply rates then it may be cheaper to take on a part-time teacher to cover the time when the class teacher is out of the classroom. Try recording all the different teachers that cover the class so you can go in armed with evidence.

I just want to say, though, that if you are expecting one teacher to take the class for the entire time then that is impractical (teachers get a minimum of 10% non-contact time which works out at about 1/2 day a week) and having more than one (regular) teacher can be benefcial as children get different styles and relationships.

Good Luck

[smee]

I agree with Dysgu. Surely the best option for the children would be that they have another class share teacher, who's with them on those three days - it sounds deeply unfair on the class if there's no consistency. You can't be the only parent worried - why not get a group of you together and request a meeting with the Head. I'd bet that would make them do something.