New recruit teacher is inadequate

It all goes back to the fact that whilst the subject is on the curriculum, it has to be taught, but nobody wants to teach it. OP is not actually able to fix that; unless, of course, the OP wants the job. So, rather than have to go to the effort of looking for a replacement teacher or supporting and supervising the current teacher better, the HT has suggested the OP lobby for a whole change in approach - across five schools. I think the OP needs to get into contact with parents from all five schools and find out if they do all have the same problem... should keep the OP busy for quite some time! In the meantime, her dd will continue to get inappropriate and poorly marked homework and the teacher concerned will, apparently, not receive any support or supervision to help improve the situation. Sounds like the mother of all fob offs to me! One wonders what the HT is actually paid to do: apparently, not to be involved in choosing the teachers, not to have any say in the way the curriculum is interpreted, not to provide supervision and support for new staff...

Frankly I'm surprised that you weren't already aware of this flaw bobo given the amount of research you engage in (as do many of us) when it comes to choosing schools

Especially as they have just gone there

That would be my concern pickled.

School time is glacial. Even when they finally change their minds on something, it has to be approved by this one, then that one. Then new resources bought which has to be approved by this one, then that one...

In the meantime, pupils are stuck in a rubbish situation .

Frankly I'm surprised that you weren't already aware of this flaw bobo given the amount of research you engage in (as do many of us) when it comes to choosing schools.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes the situation to improve and in the meantime, what has the head proposed for rectifying the immediate situation?

But why should a school spend part of its budget on a teacher who doesn't know the basics?

That's not on for any school, surely?

French employment law, this has to be dealt with quickly, so no point waiting to see if it improves on its own.

Yeah, so she can get the fella sacked within his probationary period. Desirable to the OP perhaps, but repugnant, and by no means essential to finding a solution.

But if OP is correct and the choice of curriculum is hampering recruitment and a change to another would be painless and a solution to the recruitment issue, then isn't that a no brainer?

The point I can't quite get my head around is how the Head has so little credibility in their professional competence that a parent carries more weight in getting the school curriculum changed

Exactly. Also, what now happens if another parent goes in and says, 'hey Mr Headteacher, I really love the curriculum you do in this school-
it's brilliant!'

Does the head now NOT change the curriculum? Or does our OP have more sway than any of the other parents in such important matters because she's such a special snowflake?

ThumbWitchesAbroad I would have addressed an issue with the quality of teaching based on the examples OP gave (spelling colours wrong). I would also have gone in quite early with those examples too.

The curriculum issue I would say nothing, I'm not qualified to understand why the initial curriculum is flawed, let alone be able to recommend another one. If I felt it might be preventing the school from recruiting it is possible I would mention the fact but I certainly wouldn't expect to get very far with it (with or without jargon).

The point I can't quite get my head around is how the Head has so little credibility in their professional competence that a parent carries more weight in getting the school curriculum changed.

Maybe the OP could organise this to be taken on in France as well. One more hot drink with the deputy should do it...

link

In matters of curriculum, a Head would not refer a parent to the bursar or governing body. Parents are acting as a go between in matters of fairly fundamental importance because the Head and MD have some issues with communication. Thinking that there are flaws with that is not failing to understand the system in French private schools. It's not a system. It's a failure of one.

My understanding wax that the flaw was which curriculum had been chosen by the school.

And that this choice was negatively affecting recruitment. A bit like a UK school deciding to only teach IGCSE. That night put some teachers off if they had never had any experience of it.

OP seemed to be saying that the HT accepted this was the case but that the MD had control over this issue.

A bit like a HT here would refer a parent to the bursar or the governing body.

Now whether this is something that the MD would be moveable on or even if he was whether it would be a solution to the recruitment problem remains to be seen.

the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

I can see how this works in private schools, but in state schools it doesn't mainly because those that use it are ranting and swearing at you when they use it

In both schools, one private and one public, the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

The what if every parent wants different things, so you have upto 30 'tunes'. By all means say stuff, but to dictate is ridiculous.

It is all very well saying we don't know the OP is wrong. Well we don't know that they are right either.

The OP isn't coming accross very well in this thread and seems to have a big air of self importance and an ego the size of a house.

I agree, with this pp, this thread is mad.

While I agree with Jeeves and Thumbwitch, I think it would be easier to understand whether the approach is warranted if actual examples of the offending incompetence were posted.

My DCs have gone and still go to schools (not in the UK) where parents can effect significant change in many areas of school life. In both schools, one private and one public, the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

What's your ideal outcome from this process op? The teacher getting the sack?

I think a pp asked earlier, have you even met him?

Have I said that? No.
Has she said that to her DD? I doubt it.
HAs she said it out loud at the school? Again, I doubt it.
Do you know who the teacher is? I doubt it - so why would his professional reputation be affected by a poster who should be anonymous on a UK forum, saying that she thinks he is a moron (WHICH, btw, I don't agree with)

Some of you are really extrapolating wildly.

Is it fine to publically call a professional a moron then thumbwhitch and effectively setting her child/children an example that it's ok to bully and name call?!

If I were there, I'd give that Head the "Look! A Badger!" award for best diversionary tactic. I do that with kids "go and do this very important but ultimately pointless task" . This is all lunacy.

I don't think you are reading the OP's posts accurately, Miller - the Op has not said that she established a flaw in the French National curriculum, only in her DD's school's vision of it. She also said that what she and other parents wanted was a more "official" version of the French National Curriculum.

And I agree with InimitableJeeves that it makes sense to canvass other parents' opinions as to whether or not they are happy with the new teacher before taking the steps the OP has done. That's what we do at our school as well - if there's something one of us finds a bit strange, we ask others - I especially need to do this because I am not native to this country I live in - to see whether it's just one of us or more.

And you have possibly missed the point that, under French employment law, this has to be dealt with quickly, so no point waiting to see if it improves on its own.

I've read all the OP's posts, yes.

I take it you haven't read all the posts ThumbWitchesAbroad! Op went from accusing teacher of being inadequate, to name-calling, a Moran to be precise. Grouped a load of parents to join in and than establishied a flaw in the French curriculum and ready to discuss her revelations to some chain of five-school committee, by-passing the Head...all in 2 weeks of year 7 teaching!! Yet ask for advice on jargon wording to make his/her insults regarding the teacher smell like a bunch of roses, Bravo.

I'm a bit at some of the responses on this thread - how many of you understand the school system in France? Private school, at that? Do you know for a fact that the OP is wrong? I don't, I don't profess to know whether she's right or wrong, because I don't know the system.

And, tbh, if a mature teacher started teaching my children incorrectly, I'd be having a word with someone at the school as well (not UK or France).

SilverBirchWithout It makes recent Education Ministers in the UK shaping policy, practise and curriculum in our schools led by the mob who write in the Telegraph and Mail look positively benign.

I'm quite encouraged to see there's another country with a more messed up education system than ours.