Upset about dd's Parents' Night - Maths

Yes, definitely speak with HoY.

As a point of reference, our local 'not thought to be as crap as it used to be, but still definitely some way off being seen as a desirable' comprehensive moves children around classes if there are friendship issues, problems with the teacher, disruptive behaviour very frequently. They're really responsive to parents' concerns about their children's well-being and progress.

Is there a practical reason eg time tabling that your dd can't be moved classes, or is it a more 'we don't do that' attitude?

I had the same, I was stuck with the same Maths teacher for the first 3 years of secondary and we didn't get along at all. We were in sets from what is now year 8. Eventually it was agreed that I could not move up a set as they were doing their O level Maths a year early, so I went down a set and was very happy with the teacher.

They later changed the sets again so there were 5 instead of 4, but I managed to stay with the same teacher who I got on well with and ended up with a decent enough GCSE.

Even if they are in teaching groups, it should not be beyond the wit of the school to move your dd to a group with a different teacher unless it really is impossible with the timetable.

Agree

I did appreciate what you meant, but it is unacceptable that the teacher does not appreciate that the needs of children are different and that an A maybe good progress for that child. It may not be for lots of others. Some children find maths a struggle in comparison to their very bright colleagues and if a school does not set, teachers must have a strategy for teaching these pupils. They are always going to be there! I do not believe any school such as this should expect parents to tutor. The weakest mathematicians deserve proper teaching and shock tactics do not motivate everyone.

bojoro I deliberately put 'below average' in speech marks because in some grammar schools that may mean an A rather than an A*.

What would another meeting with this teacher accomplish? Well, I prefer giving people at least a chance to explain themselves before going to their line manager. It does n't sound as though the OP felt able to challenge this teacher at the parents' evening.
Most schools have some weak maths teachers unfortunately but this one sounds unpleasant.

It sounds like a personality clash and I'd be encouraging her just to crack on with it. She'll have a different teacher next year. Use a website like mymaths to boost her confidence - does the school have a subscription? I'd suggest you don't do anything for a week or two, see if things settle down.

This is supposed to be grammar school! What below average DC? Why should any child need tutoring in this school? I would be ashamed if I was the Head and there was poor teaching. I think I would bypas the teacher and go to the Head of Year. Why would a further meeting with a very negative teacher accomplish anything? Do the pupils have personal tutors? This could be a way forward.

Dancergirl I do wonder whether some of the weaker teachers use this negativity tactic to alarm engaged parents enough for them to get some tutoring for their 'below average' DC and thus push up the grades without any extra effort by the teacher.
Unfortunately the only way to compensate poor teaching is by extra work outside class. I would have another word with the teacher though to point out that she is the only teacher to find fault with your DD's attitude and why does she think that is. I can't see the point of not being direct about it at this stage.

If she can't move sets, you could maybe go on a passive aggressive charm offensive. Ask to see the teacher again - don't take DD. Smile, ask for her help, but emphasise her that your DD's doing really well in all other areas and nobody else has a problem with her, so the problem is clearly just in maths. Say she needs encouragement as she's losing confidence and you're sure her teacher doesn't want that. Ask if you can help at home. Then don't leave before saying - in a throw away sort of way - that if DD doesn't start to feel better about maths, you'll maybe meet with the Head of Year to see if they have any suggestions.

I would try to find a good tutor to help build her confidence.

Would your dd be prepared to work on maths at home to build her confidence up?

I used the Letts revision guide and workbook to teach dd and then turned to Khan Academy videos for the bits we were struggling with.

She could be falling into the trap of thinking she does not get maths straight away when others do, so she is no good at maths. Maths will then become more tedious and difficult for her to succeed at. She needs to get out of this downward spiral and, as it does not sound as if she has a teacher who will help her, she has to do it herself.

The first and most important thing in learning maths is not to worry if you do not understand it when you first look at it. Take in what you can and then have a break from it. When you go back your subconscious will have worked on it and it will keep getting easier every time you return to it. Going into maths with this attitude will help break down the anxiety of not being good at maths because you do not understand it, which is such a barrier to learning. Instead you are building that understanding.

There are some excellent teachers out there, and there are also, unfortunately, those who should not be teaching. I too have a dd who is year 9 and at this age they are old enough to realise if they want good grades but have a bad teacher they will have to put the work in and hope for a better teacher next year.

focus of the 5 min appointment was on dd's poor attitude.

Does she have a poor attitude in her maths lessons?

I'm a secondary teacher and I find it crazy they don't set for maths! Unfortunately some teachers aren't good and it seems really silly of the school to have kept the same group with the same teacher three years in a row. I'd be speaking to the head of year about your concerns.

No, it is not normal. That is why I would go to the HoY because it is clearly not going to resolve itself without input from another senior person in the school. I tend to think that some teachers do try and scare children into working without realising they are struggling so cannot catch up. (I was one of those). If the school cannot change the teaching group, then a "clear the air" meeting would be a minimum requirement and a recognition that your DD struggles to keep up. Getting the teacher to articulate where she needs help would be a good start. If they have to continue to work together, I think it is vital there is some discussion involing the teacher, your DD, you and a senior member of staff.

definitely talk to HofY. They need to help find a solution. The teacher sounds dreadful. So stressful.

We had this for years. Glowing reports, A* and A in all other subjects. Turned out he had dyscalculia....

I think I would speak to the Head of Year. Just to see if there could be any movement of teaching group. I cannot see it is in their interests for a child to "fail" and be unhappy. No decent school would want to see this and they should understand and maybe talk to her about meeting the teacher half-way with regard to attitude.

My DD went down a set in her year group and really improved with the best teacher! She was overwhelmed by others being so good at maths her confidence was at rock bottom. I think grammar schools tend to expect all the children to be of similar ability but this is never the case. I am surprised the school does not set by ability in this day and age and it must mean some children do struggle who could do with a confidence boost. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution.

why is it impossible to move classes?
have you asked?
it's pretty unusual for no streaming AT ALL in maths until yr10 ?!