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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to STORM into school tomorrow and punch a teacher right in the fucking mouth?

115 replies

HeyMumma · 21/07/2011 20:24

NOT REALLY, I am a lady and would never dream of doing such a thing! Just wanted more replies to this thread.

DD (Yr9) took her options earlier this year. We were told that if there were any concerns with the choices made we would be invited to discuss it by the end of May. We did not hear anything. Had a parents evening a few weeks ago where we met next year's tutor and again nothing was said. On this evening we were also given a letter confirming the options and DD had got what she wanted which included Triple Science.

Got a call tonight from the school (last day of term tomorrow), saying that they are concerned that DD may not be able to keep up with Triple science and they strongly advise she does not take it Hmm. She is on target for Science but is behind in Maths which we are aware is a problem and will be taking steps to deal with over the summer holidays (summer cancelled for DD, she will be STUDYING).

AIBU to be furious they have decided this with only one school day before she starts Yr10 when she will be start studying what she has chosen? DD is adamant she wants to do Triple Science and we are behind her, hence the summer home schooling. Can we insist she does it? When I asked if she has a choice, I did not get a straight answer.

OP posts:
Kladdkaka · 21/07/2011 20:27

The punching bit is a tad unreasonable. The pissed off bit isn't.

catgirl1976 · 21/07/2011 20:28

I would try insisting. See where it gets you. Don't know how schools work but 1 days notice seems wrong and if your DD is adamant she wants to do it I would put your foot down with the school. Maybe carry on the home schooling through the year if she is struggling?

33goingon64 · 21/07/2011 20:29

Maybe you should have taken the initiative and asked instead of waiting. Not saying I wouldn't be pissed off too but ime with schools, hospitals etc you have to prompt things to happen sometimes. Hope DD gets what she wants, sounds like a bright girl.

soverylucky · 21/07/2011 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HeyMumma · 21/07/2011 20:30

Er, we did ask and were told we would have been contacted if there was a problem. Did not expect that to be at the end of term though!

OP posts:
alowVera · 21/07/2011 20:30

YANBU

filthyfunkproject · 21/07/2011 20:30

if you were a lady you wouldn't have typed out that appalling thread title -

GeraldineAubergine · 21/07/2011 20:31

I wouldn't punch them. I might hit them with a sock filled with jam though, unpleasant but not painful really.

mycatthinksshesatiger · 21/07/2011 20:31

well what are they proposing she does instead?

I'd be furious about the way they've handled this and be lodging a complaint to the Governors, because it may mean in the end she has to choose a subject she wouldn't have done, all things being equal, just to fit in with the timetabling that's already been done.

KilledBill · 21/07/2011 20:32

Well its too short notice and she should stick to triple science.

But "cancelling" summer and making her stay in and study with a tutor? or is it you? because she is behind on maths is unreasonable.

Clearly if she is coping with triple science and doing well then being behind with maths is not because she is stupid or not working hard enough, it just isnt her strongest subject.

GCSE's are not the be all and end all. The world does not end for students who dont achieve A* in everything. She is a teenager who wont get these years back - cut her and the school some slcak.

LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 21/07/2011 20:33

Hey, you need to get into the school asap and ask to speak to the Head of Science and understand why this has arisen. Why have they not raised their concerns with you prior to this?

I would not worry unduly - the school will need to be EXTREMELY pushy and have a head that totally supports the HOD Science, if you go in tehre and stamp and scream enough.

And on the other hand - consider - is it possible she's not clever enough to thrive on three seperate Sciences? Is Core and Additional not good enough for her? To be brutally frank, unless she's following science disciplines at A level / Uni later on, it's not going to be such a problem.

(I say this now, fully aware that the 'weight' carried by Core + Add may not be so useful in years to come, when it comes to Uni entrance...)

Speak to them tomorow and insist you see somebody WITH THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS.

Good luck and stay chilled...

Oh. And I'm an assistant headteacher i/c teaching and learning. I deal with parents like you all the time. PLEASE don't hit a teacher. We get really fucking sick and tired of it, you know...Grin

Kayano · 21/07/2011 20:34

I sucked at maths but did triple science

Let her do what she enjoys imo

Al0uiseG · 21/07/2011 20:37

I have a son in yr 9, his school advise us as parents whether our child will be suitable for core, double or triple. Ds1 has been advised to stick with double, ds2 (yr8) has been advised he will be taking triple science. Personally I am happy with their recommendations as they know our childrens capabilities by now.

They should have spoken to you earlier but unless your Dd wants to take a science at A level and beyond I'd be inclined to take their advice.

penguin73 · 21/07/2011 20:37

You can try to insist but if she struggles in maths you will not be doing her any favours as it is such a difficult course. Can you go in tomorrow and speak to the Head of Science? I would ask why it is such short notice depending on when end of year exams were sat, explain what your plans are for the summer and see if there is some work you can do with her over the holidays to prepare her. This may convince them that there is a possibility that she could pass, or at least give you a realistic picture of her ability/potential.

sims2fan · 21/07/2011 20:39

I would quietly insist that your daughter really wants to study that, there is no other course she wants to do, she understands it will be challenging but will work hard, and you won't mind if she ends up not getting a brilliant grade in it but you do want her to do it. My mum had a similar battle over one of my GCSEs as the teachers wanted me to do one that was 'more academic' but my mum thought that as 9 subjects were very academic it didn't matter if one was less so if I wanted to do it (home economics). I ended up putting more work into the coursework for that subject than any of the others.

Martha85 · 21/07/2011 20:40

YANBU. I would insist on it.

sims2fan · 21/07/2011 20:40

Also, please let her enjoy her summer holidays! A bit of work is one thing but she should also be allowed a rest and to have fun! And I say that as a teacher!

HairyFrotter · 21/07/2011 20:43

I would try and insist on it. If she is dead keen to do triple science the chances are she'll put more work in than she would for a subject she has been forced to do.

vj32 · 21/07/2011 20:44

What levels was your daughter getting in science? Did they say her level in maths was the reason? I would insist on more detail about why they are saying this.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/07/2011 20:45

I would ask them to let her give triple a go. Most schools study the same exam boards for dual and triple. As long as this is the case for your Dd she will not start studying the triple element (which is essentially a bolt on to the dual from same board) until end of year 11.

It will peesumably be more intense than

DoMeDon · 21/07/2011 20:45

YABU about the summer - studying all summer at her age is ridiculous.

Matildarabbit · 21/07/2011 20:45

My maths is awful...I am now doing a degree in Biology.

I find the maths easier to understand where there is a point to it, otherwise its just abstract complexes. Maybe she will be the same.

I'd push for triple science, especially if she wants one for A-level. I did double (triple wasn't available) and struggled at A-level.

I made up for my bad a-level results using the OU, but I'd have been a lot better off if I'd done triple science as I wouldn't have had too.

Sorry if I'm rambly

HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/07/2011 20:52

I would ask them to let her give triple a go. Most schools study the same exam boards for dual and triple. As long as this is the case for your Dd she will not start studying the triple element (which is essentially a bolt on to the dual from same board) until end of year 11.

It will peesumably be more intense than dual which may add pressure - but she can at least try. If she can't make progress then review it in Oct?

Other things to ask think about:
Some schools may use totally different syllabus for dual v triple which like make above suggestion inappropriate.
If she wasn't doing triple does she need to select an alternative subject? This may be harder to do at a later date.
Ask about class number for triple. Has she Been shunted out at this late stage cos they have just realised they are over-subscribed for this option and therefore pushing her our because she is weakest of class but not incapable.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/07/2011 20:53

Don't know what happened with the partial post above that wasn't intentional.

StealthPolarBear · 21/07/2011 20:53

She wants to do a 'hard' subject, she's willing to work at it and yet they don't want her to....
League tables top priority? YANBU!