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Secondary education

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Mistaken Identity?

34 replies

IsItAllAMistake · 17/10/2022 18:28

Want to pick your brains on something - I really want to believe my daughter and my gut says she’s telling the truth - but we all know that things aren’t always what they seem.

DD is one of those kids who always does their best, is kind, polite, and excels in most subjects. Never had a sanction or demerit in her life, and school reports always sing her praises. Just an all round nice kid and she makes me exceptionally proud.

She is at an independent school and holds a scholarship in a creative subject. Her teacher this year is new to the school. Just got her first report and this teacher has given her the lowest possible grade. DD is in floods of tears and really doesn’t understand it. Then she “clicked”. She sits next to and looks very similar to another girl who is very easily distracted - low level disruption, chatting etc. There have been several instances where the teacher has told my DD to stop talking (using her name) when she isn’t- it’s this other girl.

DD is convinced that the teacher has got them muddled up. It is literally the only thing she can think of. I mean, just how likely is this or is she just trying to come up with an excuse to cover her arse?

OP posts:
Testina · 17/10/2022 19:03

Is that literally all you’ve received? An attainment grade, no other comment?

cansu · 17/10/2022 19:00

Just ask. It is possible and in fact likely.

notasoldasiseem · 17/10/2022 18:59

It is very possible. It happened to me - teacher began to speak to my parents and then realised that they were talking about the wrong child. I suggest you ask the teacher quietly whether this is possible

IsItAllAMistake · 17/10/2022 18:58

School has broken up for half term already so she has this hanging over her for two weeks until she goes back.

OP posts:
IsItAllAMistake · 17/10/2022 18:57

The subject is drama and there’s no written work or anything to hand in to grade as it were. Any other subject and there would be proof IYSWIM.

She’s in tears because underperformance can lead to a scholarship being removed. I get that.

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 17/10/2022 18:52

Arrange a meeting with the teacher.

Soapboxqueen · 17/10/2022 18:36

I think the only thing to do is to ask for an explanation from the school as to why a previously will behaved, well performing child is suddenly not.

Say you are confused as to why, according to them, there has been a drastic change and the school haven't contacted you before this point.

If her work as slipped, all to see examples of work that isn't up to her usual standard and what she could do to improve.

If they can't answer these things then you can bring up that you think the teacher has confused two children.

RedHelenB · 17/10/2022 18:35

Grade for effort or attainment? I'm sure when it's parents evening you'll get to the bottom of it. You need to reassure her that there is no need to get so upset over it though, mistake or not.

Autumnisclose · 17/10/2022 18:29

How would the teacher muddle up the work when it's checked though ?