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Original poster

New recruit teacher is inadequate

459 replies

BoboChic · 15/09/2015 06:41

This, basically. DD in Y7 started secondary school 2 weeks ago. One - and only one - of her teachers is totally inadequate. He is a new recruit. Parents and pupils have noticed pretty quickly that he doesn't have the first inkling of the subject he is supposed to be teaching. One approach has already been made to the school to alert them. What are the best words to use to describe this situation? Inadequate? Lacking subject knowledge?

OP posts:
Aramynta · 15/09/2015 07:52

Perhaps, OP, you should mention it in the meeting and leave it at that. Give this teacher a chance to make a change and rectify?

Was there really any need to ask the other parents to join the gang, so to speak, instead of just handling it as an individual?

It all smacks of bullying to be honest. It also sounds like you have a personal dislike for the teacher in question, rather than it being a purely educational issue.

Hmm
BlowOnMySackbutt · 15/09/2015 07:50

I know that teacher bashing is commonplace in England but I'm a bit surprised that it's now taking place in France where teachers train for much longer and the standards are higher, ime. I can't see how a teacher can go through their rigorous system successfully without showing excellent subject knowledge.
Two weeks is far too early to come to any meaningful assessment of how the year will pan out. Also, if the teacher is ousted then the children may well be in the position of having no teacher and having cover staff who know even less.

Lurkedforever1 · 15/09/2015 07:48

I don't know what the correct teaching jargon is, but in any situation I want to say 'what are you going to do about it?' I use ones such as 'How would you suggest we go forward?' 'How can we best resolve this?'

SheGotAllDaMoves · 15/09/2015 07:46

Sounds like the school are struggling to recruit in this subject?
Is this due to a general shortage? Or is it an issue with the this school?

The answer to this will tell you much about how best to proceed and what outcomes you can hope for.

Shutthatdoor · 15/09/2015 07:46

If this is a French school, how are posters supposed to know the 'correct jargon', laws etc Hmm

Bubblesinthesummer · 15/09/2015 07:45

*in that

Bubblesinthesummer · 15/09/2015 07:44

TBH you are coming accross really badly ans that a group of parents are 'ganging up' for want of a better word on a new teacher.

InimitableJeeves · 15/09/2015 07:43

Have you taken copies of the work in question? These things have a way of disappearing when schools are challenged.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:42

What about the children? Why not feel sorry for them. They were very upset to do so badly - until they were reassured by the fact that all the parents were in agreement and the teacher was wrong.

OP posts:
Shakirasma · 15/09/2015 07:37

I feel really sorry for the teacher!

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:36

Acknowledgment of the issues, in the first instance.

OP posts:
RedMapleLeaf · 15/09/2015 07:35

What outcome do you want from the meeting?

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:34

Blow no. We have the schemes of work from previous years (lots of parents with older DC).

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Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:32

Kez - different every time Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:31

The meeting is in English though with someone who is neither English or French.

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Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:30

The factual analysis is already written and printed. We have a meeting at school today to discuss the matter - that's why I need right words.

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Kez100 · 15/09/2015 07:30

How are we going to be able to help with French educational jargon?

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 15/09/2015 07:29

Sorry you lost me when you called him a "moron" if that's what you and this gang of other parents think then you will piss the school off!

Kez100 · 15/09/2015 07:29

They've had 10x pieces of homework? Already? Was it simply one error replicated 10 times or a different error each time?

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:27

There are important reasons for not waiting (French employment law means that if we wait too long we'll be stuck with him for the whole year).

OP posts:
Kampeki · 15/09/2015 07:26

I don't understand why you need jargon. If it's as bad as you say it is, surely the examples will speak for themselves.

RedMapleLeaf · 15/09/2015 07:26

Hang the witch!

BlowOnMySackbutt · 15/09/2015 07:26

It's possible, and perhaps even highly probable, that this teacher is using a scheme of work (a term plan of lessons, activities and homework tasks) that was prepared by the previous HoD and is spending his/her evenings and weekends rewriting it. He/she may be just as frustrated about the quality of the work.
Ultimately, it is the headteacher who appointed the teacher and who will be responsible for monitoring the quality of teaching, learning and assessment taking place. Teachers are assessed all of the time these days so I'd be surprised if there was a problem that hasn't been spotted.
Two weeks into the new year is far too early to know if this teacher is incompetent. Please also bear in mind that making complaints could, and probably will, mean the end of this teacher's career so be very, very sure about any course of action.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 07:25

RedMaple - the example I gave is not the only example - we have 10x as many!

OP posts:
Kez100 · 15/09/2015 07:24

I would be inclined to wait too but if it is really bad and Boho insists on writing at this stage, then I like addicted to sugars letter. Gets the information across and doesn't look daft (unless the examples are actually poor).

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