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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel sad that none of ds's stuff gets displayed in class?

126 replies

emkana · 20/05/2011 23:04

He's nearly five and in reception. Not one of his things has been displayed in class so far. He has special needs and can't draw or write anything recognisable, but he enjoys the scribbling/Mark-making that he does and I just think they could just once put one of his pieces up?

OP posts:
UrsulaBuffay · 21/05/2011 08:54

The assembly thing made me sad too. Of course you are right, make an appointment to have a proper chat with his teacher.

A2363 · 21/05/2011 09:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
emkana · 21/05/2011 11:13

Also, he gets the same target card as the others with targets he has no hope of achieving. Only one IEP was done at the beginning of the year, never reviewed.

OP posts:
pigletmania · 21/05/2011 11:19

emkana is he being statemented? I would seriously have a meeting with the teacher/SENCO this is not on. Have you posted in the special needs forum, they are very good with advice.

pigletmania · 21/05/2011 11:23

Is your ds receiving any help 1:1 from the school, if not he should be! You really need to have a meeting with the teacher and asking what they are doing to help him? and seeing what they can do to help and involve the SENCO.e At ds pre school (attached to the main school she will be going to in September) they seem to be pro active, the headteacher is the SENCO and the school are in the process of Statementing her, she also receives 1:1 help but they have said that she needs more that is why they are statementing. They are already have a plan of action of how they will help her when she starts foundation, and her IEP is reviewed regularly

cottonreels · 21/05/2011 13:31

Mention it to the teacher in a sort of confidence boosting sort of a way. Also give them some ideas on how he can help in class assemblies and a role of responsibility in the classroom eg put the blunt pencils in a box to be sharpened by the TA etc
I understand how its awkward because of your role in the school so Id just do it in a 'Im focussing on building his confidence at the moment could you help?'

TheOriginalFAB · 21/05/2011 13:36

YANBU.

I help in school and ime it is nothing personal when work is chosen to go up on the wall. Having said that sometimes the best work is chosen. If you have a contact book my advice - as a helper and parent - would be to write a note - Dr Teacher, I have noticed that EmkanaBoy's work hasn't been on the wall so he hasn't had a chance to show what he can do. It would be such a boost for us all if you could see your way to find some space for it some times before the end of the school year. Thank you. Emkana. (Or better words tot that effect.)

pigletmania · 21/05/2011 13:48

TheOroiginalFAB its sad that only the best goes on the wall, that means that a lot of kids with SEN would be excluded, and is actually giving out a subliminal message that only the best is good enough Sad

yikert · 21/05/2011 13:54

YABU the school/teacher can choose to display what work they wish, if they choose to use quality of work as the main criteria then that is their perogative.

worraliberty · 21/05/2011 14:00

As a Governor, it's your responsibility (amongst other things) to make sure the Every Child Matters policy is behing adhered to and that every child, whether they have SEN or not, is treated fairly.

Therefore, why have you not brought this up as a general point either with the Head/SENCO or at a Governor's meeting? If your child is being treated unfairly, the chances are other children are too and it's part of your role as Governor to make sure that doesn't happen.

Surely you learnt this in your training?

pigletmania · 21/05/2011 14:02

yikert no its not at all, how wrong. Totally agree with Worraliberty

yikert · 21/05/2011 14:11

It is up to the teacher/school to choose who they want to display and not up to parents to come and moan about how their childrens work isn't displayed to try and get it displayed.

pigletmania · 21/05/2011 14:14

not when they have to be incusive and adhere to the Every Child Matters yikert

youngwomanwholivesinashoe · 21/05/2011 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

piprabbit · 21/05/2011 14:18

As a bit of a side issue - I'm very surprised that a Reception classroom doesn't have sufficient display space to show all 30 pieces of work at the same time. Most reception classrooms use every available bit of wall space to display the children's work.

ikoto · 21/05/2011 14:19

The school is seeking to reward the best efforts by displaying them and only them, this seems perfectly fair to me so I think YABU

A2363 · 21/05/2011 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 21/05/2011 14:20

yikert you have a point in a way because the teacher may have chosen to display the work of the children who have put the most effort in...and for all we know, the OP's child may have put little or no effort in...therefore not deserving to have their work displayed.

But the point here is, the OP needs to get to the bottom of why the work is not being displayed.

For all we know, the teacher may well say it is displayed but the OP has missed it and the child didn't think to mention it.

ContraryMartha · 21/05/2011 14:22

Yikert you have the dubious honor of my first ever Biscuit, now do go away.

OP, what is his teacher like?
Some teachers seem to handle SN kids better than others.
One year my almost non-verbal niece spent most of her time sitting in the library because her teacher couldn't "handle" her.
No mention of this was made to my sister mind you.

I think you need to have a talk with his teacher.
It might be a bit awkward at first, but if he/she is not including him, best you find out why now.
And maybe be able to change the rest of the year for him.

A2363 · 21/05/2011 14:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 21/05/2011 14:24

And regarding the assembly, the child may well have shown no interest in taking part...like the others who didn't take part.

Again, it's something the OP needs to discuss with the teacher. There's little point to a thread like this because all we can do is speculate as to why things are as they are.

yikert · 21/05/2011 14:27

I don't think he should have been excluded from assembly as that isn't allowing everyone to participate and is very wrong.

worraliberty · 21/05/2011 14:29

A2363 Absolutely and I imagine the teacher will know what the child's best efforts are.

The OP says but he enjoys the scribbling/Mark-making that he does and I just think they could just once put one of his pieces up?

Well that's well and good and scribbling and mark making is a great way to learn pencil control, but if it's not the child's best effort there is little point in displaying it as the child won't have much to work towards.

Then the OP says The other day ds for the first time ever drew something vaguely recognisable under guidance - a really big thing for him

Now that should definitely be displayed imo..and for all we know it might be soon.

coastgirl · 21/05/2011 14:32

Small note: teachers aren't supposed to be responsible for displays any more (although most of us still end up doing them anyway) so could it be that a TA is selecting work to display, or even someone who doesn't know the class at all but is just selecting what they like? I know if I did get help to do a display, the person putting the work up would have no idea who the children were who'd done each piece if I let them select what went up.

ContraryMartha · 21/05/2011 14:32

If he didn't want to participate in the assembly, the teacher should have discussed that with the OP.

It is worrying that the teacher assumes it is acceptable to exclude him.

Was he the only child not in the assembly?