If you work in a school is this normal?

[Dustpantsandbush]

I work in a primary in early years. The staff are very critical of the children, kids have been described as ‘awful human being's’ ‘little twats’ ‘thick as shit’ lots of kids who are less than their idea of perfect written off as ‘pointless’ or ‘not worth bothering with’ the children are aged between 3-5 years old. when I challenge it I’m told I’m too sensitive, staff need to vent ect. None of this is said to the children themselves just about them.
It makes me so uncomfortable and sorry for the little ones. Interactions with children seem otherwise fine but what is said behind their backs is borderline nasty. Am I being too sensitive?

first time in a school for me, I’m from private settings previously.

Not in any school I’ve worked in. We might have the odd moan about some frustrating behaviour but never using language like that

That's not normal and highly disturbing.

Not normal at all! I work in a primary school and we do not speak about the children like that. How awful. You are not being too sensitive

Im surprised you have to ask. Of course it’s not normal. Using that sort of language about children is disgusting

of all the things you’ve mentioned ‘not worth bothering with’ is the worst. I’ve never heard a teacher express that ever. They might let off steam and call the kids a little bugger, nightmare or even a twat… but as a way to express how annoying some kids are but always with wry affection. Some kids bite, kick swear etc and it’s hard.

Not in any schools I have worked in either. I wouldn't have wanted to stay somewhere staff spoke like that about the children.

Absolutely not normal or ok at all. A staff room vent about behaviour is one thing but never including personal insults or belittling language, especially about little ones. I would go straight to SLT or our safeguarding platform with this

umm, nope. Not normal in school, daycare or college.

That's horrible. Not normal.

This is a safeguarding issue and should definitely be reported to SLT. Poor kids 😞

I work in a school and no, that's not my experience.

I have never heard any such awful comments between staff members. There are difficult days and difficult children but I think those kind of comments cross a line. I wouldn’t like to be amongst that kind of team

No, it's awful. Not normal for a school.

20 years of school experience, have had staff say unkind things about certain kids but never EVER heard anything like what you describe or I would have walked out and reported!

One word- 'whistleblow'

I work in a school with extremely challenging behaviours and a lot of physical aggression from students to staff. We would never speak this way, yes staff will vent, and sometimes express that they are angry for example if a student has punched/hit/spat at them, but never such personal and upsetting terms.
If they did, I'd be pulling them up and reframing it!

I’m working my notice at the moment. I’ve reported to my line manager and now DSL and I’m waiting for a response. I’m not holding out much hope to be honest, can’t wait to be gone but feel bad for the kids I’m leaving behind.

Yellow forms needed!

I’d be telling the parents of the children tbh

Safeguarding issue.

No, that's not normal. I have heard a staff member who is unquestionably very kind and nurturing describe a child as 'thick', quite candidly one day; that took me by surprise coming from her if I'm honest, but she was just being blunt. I have heard other teachers take a bit of a shot at some kids when talking in the staffroom, but it's never been that flagrant.

No one speaks in a way that suggests the children are beyond help, at any rate.

Wow that is not normal! It sounds like a very toxic environment if there are multiple people who think this is anything close to ok.

That isn’t normal.

I would just quit and leave it. Reporting stuff these days seems to do nothing - people lie and explain stuff away.

Yes, one of the learning mentors and she was every single one of the expletives and derogatory things she said about the kids as far as I’m concerned. I left as the environment was toxic and even the assistant head (now deputy) chortled - almost in agreeance - as did the deputy at that time. (Ethnic minority school)

report report I suggest!

I didn’t due to personal circumstances- just wanted to get out.

I know lots of people who work in schools and no it is definitely not normal !

I do not work in a school, but that is terrible and children should never be described as such.