Seething with yr 13 student

[EvilTwins]

I am a yr 13 form tutor. Obviously not seeing much of them any more but had to tell of my tutees off yesterday after he was exceptionally rude to one of my colleagues. Colleague had a moderation visit (NCFE so only 24 hours notice) so had to cancel a pre-arranged revision session. Colleague popped down to the common room to apologise and give some revision materials out and said student refused to look at or speak to her. I told him off. He was obnoxious back, saying that my colleague should seriously consider whether teaching is for her He was not happy being told off, but he absolutely deserved it. End of the day - email from the head asking me to see her as a student had made a complaint about me. Yr 13 had not only put in a compliant (to the admin woman who deals with HR!) but had told her that I have inappropriate pictures on my twitter account! I am SO cross. The twitter thing is nonsense but it's so obviously a calculated attempt to get me into serious trouble. His dad is backing him up and is coming in tomorrow for a meeting with the head. 😡

[Rosieposy4]

Bloody hell, i would be fuming too. Calculating little shit.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

I would be furious. I'd also be mentioning to the Head that I would be taking legal advice from my union about whether to pursue the matter further. The inappropriate pictures bit is completely out of line - and a dangerous comment to make about teachers.

Y13 is presumably 18 by this point, and therefore an adult. I'd be suggesting to his father that this student is very, very careful about accusations he makes that could damage someone's professional reputation or career. Making false accusations is against the law and teachers, like anyone else, can report malicious action to the police or instruct a solicitor.

[Acopyofacopy]

Really out of line, but seems to be a trend! A couple of Y9s made allegations against a colleague recently. Completely fabricated, but potentially very harmful to my colleague.
In the end everybody "just moved on". No apology, nothing

[teacher54321]

I remember an obnoxious year 13 student at my last school deliberately and ostentatiously dropping a tray with cutlery/plates etc on the floor in front of me and walking off because I had dared to ask him to pick up a plastic cup that had fallen off onto the floor whilst I was on dinner duty. His housemaster tore an absolute strip off him and he had to come to me and apologise the next day, but that sheer arrogance and unpleasantness has stuck with me. Only one more day till half term!

[cricketballs]

Off topic but we use NCFE had we get a few weeks notice of mod visits; enter grades onto portal, get email confirming moderator details, moderator contacts to arrange possible dates they have available, date arranged with plenty of notice

[OpalTree]

How awful. I hope the head backs you up.

[googietheegg]

TBH if he's stressed about exams having a revision session cancelled at the last minute would be enormously annoying, so I would say he's reacting to that.

False accusations about social media is not on obviously, but the other complaint is not false. I know it was not your fault but it's certainly not his. Did you make a new appointment with him for as soon as possible?

[CarrieBlue]

He refused to look at or speak to a teacher who was apologising for cancelling a revision session due to circumstances beyond her control and who was providing him with revision materials which she had prepared, he questioned her suitability for her profession, then the OP called him out on his utter rudeness and disrespect - this is not any sort of justifiable 'complaint'. He doesn't deserve any further 'appointments'.

[OpalTree]

Agreed

[TheFallenMadonna]

Not on? A false accusation about something that could be damaging to the OP's career? Not on? And the OP didn't cancel. Her colleague did.

[senua]

It sounds as if the Y13 student thinks that the end is nigh and they no longer have to behave. It might be an idea to subtly remind Dad that 'the end' is actually results day and they ought be keeping mutual goodwill going until then.

[CarrieBlue]

I'd explicitly tell dad that his son needs to learn some basic manners, especially as he is leaving school where far too much poor behaviour is tolerated and forgiven. The boy is 18, and more than capable of answering anyone politely, if the father thinks otherwise he needs to give his head a wobble.

[OpalTree]

He sounds like a very unpleasant young man.

[ItsNachoCheese]

He sounds like an arrogant twat

[sashh]

Take legal advice.

Point out to all of them that under the data protection act universities can ask for information about false allegations.

Also, I assume they are an adult or almost an adult, consider contacting the police. In fact the allegation of the twitter feed should be reported to the police, then, when they find there is nothing to it, the year 13 can be prosecuted for wasting police time, does he really want a criminal record?

[YorkshireTree]

How did the meeting go OP? #Solidarity

[MaisyPops]

Sounds like one of those entitled students who has don't no work but thinks he world owes him something.

Bets he is rude around college, doesn't work that hard and now has the perfect excuse in his eyes for why he doesn't do very well.

I'd be holding my ground with the head. How dare a student do that.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

Please tell us this student is now wishing he had not been quite so arrogant and had never opened his mouth to pour out a load of crap...

[EvilTwins]

I didn't go to the meeting. It was the head, the student and his dad. Apparently student turned up with a typed dossier of complaints and "evidence" against not just me but the HOY and the colleague he'd been vile about when I told him off. Head was slightly gobsmacked, came to the conclusion that he's a bit loopy and suggested that it would be best if he just comes in for exams now. The Twitter thing, it seems, was just one if his many complaints, along with me having favourites and being a bully who is "always going on at him to put his mugs in the dishwasher"

Head was lovely when I went to discuss it. Told me not to worry. It's not going any further and all he's achieved is to get himself uninvited from any revision sessions in school.

Thanks for the support virtual staffroom!

[honeysucklejasmine]

Fabulous outcome. Must have been really scary for you, I'd be a mess if it were me. Good on your Head for being a sensible sort.

[EvilTwins]

I'm still a bit of a mess... our 6th form is small and close-knit and he's allegedly got "statements" from others saying that I was particularly horrid. Knowing him though, the statements are all by him. It's not nice though to think that kids you've taught for 7 yrs are writing statements about you behind your back. I don't actually believe it, but it's left a nasty taste.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

It would leave a nasty taste in mine. I'm really sorry Twins, as teachers we bend over backwards for our students and invest so much time and energy in doing our best for each individual. I know many colleagues who have been hugely generous with their time to help pupils out; as a profession we nearly all go above and beyond our duty. And we don't expect much in the way of thanks or recognition. But to wonder if these same pupils are then spitefully writing notes to say you are horrible is awful. I wouldn't dwell on it, honestly. I'm sure it's just him.

[Rosieposy4]

I would feel pretty upset about that as well Twins, it is obvious you are very dedicated to your job.
googietheegg apart from the fact it wasn't evil who cancelled any student behaving like that towards me or one of my colleagues would not be welcome in a rescheduled session. I would not surrender my free time for such an unpleasant young man.

[AngelicaSchuylerChurch]

Did this young man receive a UCAS reference from you?

I appreciate that university offers have been issued but if for any reason he misses his grades and wants support for Clearing or 2018 admissions I think you would be quite reasonable to give an addendum to a previous reference in light of his recent behaviour.

[TheRollingCrone]

So he's been stalking viewing your twitter creepy wee fuck how very odd of him.

Hope you get a sincere apology