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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Was the

238 replies

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 16:48

AIBU to be upset that my daughters teacher took off 5 marks from her exam total because she doodled on the back of the paper while waiting to be allowed to leave the exam. She would have got 96% without the deduction. See attached the offending doodle. Teachers comment was "minus 5 marks for graffiti at the back. I have told you many times its not on."

Was the
OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 06/07/2023 18:09

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

What is there to be biased about? Your child disobeyed the teacher, end of. You must be one of those parents that think their little princess can do no wrong.

Stripeysocks00 · 06/07/2023 18:08

The teacher was right to drop marks for this. You can’t draw on real exam papers and this is getting her ready for it!

Gazelda · 06/07/2023 18:07

You say you're upset by this. Is your DD upset? Does she regret doodling? Has she said she'll never doodle on an exam paper again?

PeachesOnTheBeaches · 06/07/2023 18:03

YABU. She has been warned many times. Why shouldn’t she face the consequences of her actions?

WonderfulUsername · 06/07/2023 18:02

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

What do you mean 'obviously' biased?

I genuinely can't think of a single parent I know who wouldn't have said to their child, "Well that serves you right. It's not like you weren't told before".

Original poster
WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 18:00

Yes, exam paper was returned after the teacher marked it.

OP posts:
CoffeeCantata · 06/07/2023 17:59

On the face of it is seems doubly disrespectful behaviour. Firstly, what is she thinking 'doodling' on something as important as an exam paper? She risks seeming insolent and/or immature.

Secondly, she's been told at least once NOT to do so. So she's ignored or even defied the teacher on this.

I think she should suck up the mark deduction and place the blame firmly on herself.

INeedAnotherName · 06/07/2023 17:59

I have told you many times its not on.

So.. what punishment have you decided to give your child for being wilfully disobedient at school?

Original poster
WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

OP posts:
MythosK · 06/07/2023 17:45

Was she allowed to bring the exam paper home then?

SleeplessinScarbourough · 06/07/2023 17:42

I would be more concerned that your DD had enough time to think up and draw out this doodle while “waiting to be let out of exam” - your DD needs to practice making the most of every minute of the exams

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/07/2023 17:42

Oh dear not good.

Squeakydoorhinge · 06/07/2023 17:26

Thread not going as expected OP?

ManateeFair · 06/07/2023 17:26

soundsys · 06/07/2023 17:08

Is your daughter neurodivergent? I only ask because I am and I absolutely couldn't sit still waiting for everyone else to finish an exam so the doodling would be the much less disruptive option!

If she is neurodivergent then the OP should have had conversations with the school about additional provisions for her daughter's SEN, such as being allowed some sheets of blank paper to doodle on at the end of the exam.

Being neurodivergent doesn't mean she just gets to do exactly what she likes. I am neurodivergent myself and I wouldn't have expected not to get marked down for ignoring the teacher like that.

PerspiringElizabeth · 06/07/2023 17:24

Wow I really need to get in the zone for high school 😂😂 (3 years away for us). Don’t get this outrage at all!

Kangarude · 06/07/2023 17:24

If only she'd done as she was told!

Aquamarine1029 · 06/07/2023 17:23

Your daughter was disobedient. She can deal with the consequences.

PerspiringElizabeth · 06/07/2023 17:22

Failing to see why it’s ‘not on’? 😵‍💫 if this was an important exam then you wouldn’t have access to the paper to get a photo of it/DD wouldn’t have had a phone to take a pic of it.

Teacher needs to get over herself. And appreciate the arts 😄😄

Sissynova · 06/07/2023 17:21

So your daughter did something she was asked by her teacher not to do several times and you’re upset she got a small punishment for her actions?

chickenwings2 · 06/07/2023 17:20

Those who can't HEAR must FEEL

ManateeFair · 06/07/2023 17:19

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:05

Why take the time to give your opinion if you don't care for my post?

Why take the time to ask people for their opinions if you didn't want people to give them to you?

Ladyoftheknight · 06/07/2023 17:16

Maybe try to discipline your child so she does better in exams! Doodling on exam papers is not acceptable, and if she's so bright she should know that. It's not like a squiggle of pen, that's a drawing she knew she shouldn't be doing.

RhymingGuitars · 06/07/2023 17:14

I guess it comes down to the teacher preparing your DD for the actual GCSE paper. Quite often they have very specific instructions regarding writing (or not) on specific pages. Better to have a 5mark deduction now than in an exam where failing to follow the rubric may get her a much larger deduction/fail.

Harebrain · 06/07/2023 17:10

The marks were actually deducted for the lack of respect towards the teacher. Your DD needs to remember that for next time.

LadyLaLaa · 06/07/2023 17:10

Yes YABU. She has been warned not to do it.
If she likes to doodle buy her a pocket notebook to carry about with her.