Is this acceptable? Re teacher using work example.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

My dd1 (12) was a bit upset because her English teacher photocopied a bit of her work and handed it around the classroom as a "bad example" of complete with bits crossed out, notes etc. DD is and has always been very good at English. She got 2 trophies leaving primary for creative writing and literacy and is working at a high level (she's in top 5 of her class) and this has really knocked her confidence. I was wondering if this is not acceptable or am I being pfb?

[DontOpenDeadInside]

I think it was more embarrassment than her work being criticized, but that too.

[JennyOnAPlate]

Not acceptable at all; I would be livid! Your poor dd

[Cherrysoup]

The absolute reverse of what I do, unless I have the child's permission and I'm full of praise for the good bits. I'd have a whinge.

[CookieLady]

YABU. Pfb, I'm afraid. The teacher didn't identify her and the purpose of the task was see what could be done to improve the piece in order to gain a higher grade/level.

[MuteButtonisOn]

Absolutely unreasonable of the teacher.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

He did actually say it was her work.

[Figure17a]

Gosh. I often find myself defending teachers here but I can't come up with any circumstances that would make that acceptable

[Hercules12]

How odd! Not sure what I'd do but I've never known a teacher to do this. Good examples sure but bad one? What on earth was the teacher thinking? I think you should do something but I'm not sure what.

[cariadlet]

I'm a bit torn about this.

Having a real example of work (providing it's anonymous so that the child isn't shown up in front of the rest of the class) is a good way to get children to think about the learning intentions, how to improve writing etc. It's more purposeful than a piece of bad writing that the teacher has made themselves.

On the other hand, it's clearly knocked your daughter's confidence. If a child has always found a subject easy, then the first time that they "fail" can be really hard to handle. Maybe find ways at home to try and boost your daughter's resilience.

[phoolani]

I don't care whether she never won a trophy in her life, that's a terrible thing to do. I'd be tempted to photocopy my critique of the teacher and their methods and give it out to all the kids in his class. See how they like it.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

God, I would never do that. I only use students' work to show the good, not the bad.

If I want examples of badly done work for a "how to improve this" exercise, I write it myself.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

Why is it "more purposeful" than something the teacher's made up, cariadlet?

[Wickedstepmum67]

Bloody hell! Not ok at all. Your poor DD. 🙁 Also really sh*te teaching - hoped all that had died with the 1970s.

[harleysmammy]

Its unacceptable by any means BUT when she gets to gcse, that is the harsh reality. It isnt right but thats what teachers do before and at gcse to "toughen" them up for the pressure of how hard it is. Not right at all though, ive always found it a silly way of doing things

[Niaus267]

If it's handwritten, it's identifiable. YANBU. The teacher can find other examples! As a child, it would be mortifying if it was your work being criticised like that.

[SuperPug]

I think it's a horrible thing to do.
Far better to create your own "bad" example to show students which wouldn't take too long and a model example to compare.

[DontOpenDeadInside]

She was off (genuinely) ill on Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday she was sobbing cos she didn't want to go and insisted it was because she was still I'll. Then tonight she told me this, so I'm thinking she didn't want to do English yesterday. This coming from the girl who loves school and I have to force her to stop off if she's ill. Way to boost morality Mr X!

[Niaus267]

Oh I've just seen that the teacher said it was hers! Nope. I'd be unhappy with that myself. It crosses the critique/criticism line for me. It's not that she needs to learn to deal with not doing well, it's because this was done in front of her peers. Her 12 year old peers. The thought makes me cross.

[CaraAspen]

OP:
Are we in the dark ages, still? What the teacher did was TOTALLY unacceptable. I really would be getting in touch with her about this. Your poor daughter.

[Megatherium]

Having a real example of work (providing it's anonymous so that the child isn't shown up in front of the rest of the class) is a good way to get children to think about the learning intentions, how to improve writing etc.

Surely it's easy enough to build up a bank of work samples without using that of a child in the class? It seems to me that this teacher needs to come up with a very good explanation, and if he doesn't this merits a formal complaint.

[holidaysaregreat]

That is awful & I would never do that. I have occasionally asked a student if I can use theirs as a good example. They don't always like this either as they get embarrassed about doing well. It's not acceptable.

[CaraAspen]

Sorry - him.

[backwardpossom]

but thats what teachers do before and at gcse to "toughen" them up for the pressure of how hard it is

No teacher I know does this...

[CaraAspen]

Even if she was not identified, the child felt mortified. Not on.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Its unacceptable by any means BUT when she gets to gcse, that is the harsh reality. It isnt right but thats what teachers do before and at gcse to "toughen" them up for the pressure of how hard it is. Not right at all though, ive always found it a silly way of doing things

Teachers absolutely don't do this. One teacher you've come across might have, but it's not universal. I have never done it and our headteacher would be unimpressed if my colleagues did.

I have, however, given our copies of good examples of work. Even then I check with the pupil first.

OP, absolutely unacceptable. I would email the head of department to query what happened.