To ask that my ds be sat at a different table this year

[rubberglove]

My ds started primary three this week. Last year he was sat on a table, all boys, one boy is quite badly behaved and disruptive. It did affect my ds, his behaviour at school and home.

Before I get flamed, I am not suggesting my ds is perfect, never the instigator. I also appreciate this boy might have special needs I am not aware of, or issues at home. I also respect the teacher and her need to meet all the pupil's needs.

But I had discussed with his teacher last year that maybe he could sit somewhere else this year. He did at times find that table difficult. She agreed but the seating, it seems, is the same this year.

My ds, whilst special to me, is of course equal in the classroom. But why, for example, do all the boys have to be sat on one table? Why can't it be changed, to make it fair?

Are they not sat in ability groupings?

I'm not a teacher, but I think that's all sorts of bad. DD2 - P6 and DD3 - P4 have had their tables changed every term since P1. The teachers seem to use a variety of different methods for choosing, and the children seem to enjoy it.

I'd go back to her asap, and remind her about your conversation, and how important it is to her. They are only just back though, so maybe (hopefully) she just hasn't got round to it yet.

Good luck, stick to your guns.

her doh you.

It can be changed. As a teacher if a parent asked for this I would do my best to accommodate. It is not an unreasonable request. She has probably forgotten that you had discussed this with her. Just pop in and remind her. If I have a more challenging pupil I don't always sit them next to the same person and I would definitely rotate the children if possible to ensure they are not with same children next year esp if there has been a problem. It is probably just an oversight on the teachers part.

some battles are worth fighing, this and this is one!

Teacher here.
Of course the other boy has a right to an education. But so does yours. And if this other boy is taking away your son's opportunity to learn to behave and progress, it is a problem. Please try again. Perhaps phrase it in the "worried my son won't progress" way, and the school might listen, especially as they should be concerned about progress of all children.
If you are being called in about your son's behaviour then it is a good opportunity to bring this up again. Start murmuring about behaviour/education plans for your son and seating. That might make them think. :)
Good luck!

If he only started back this week, I think I'd give it a little bit longer before you go in, tbh. They often re-sort a few weeks in anyway.

Depending on the class it could be that seating him somewhere else would be even worse. Some classes are like that and you just have to do the best you can.
Wouldn't hurt to have a quiet word with the teacher though. You sound very reasonable, so it should be possible to discuss it with her, although from my experience (on both sides of the fence) some teachers don't like to feel their professional judgement is being questioned.

YANBU, a gentle reminder now before it becomes awkward should fix it.

Thanks, will have a little chat with her. I just wonder if all the boys would benefit from being mixed up a bit.

Not trying to do her job, I could not teach and take my hat off to them! There may be a good reason but I just want my ds to enjoy this year.

YANBU. DS was seated with a boy last year who was calling him names and distressing him. At first I kept out of it but when it got to the stage that he was getting a wee bit upset about going to class I thought I would need to speak to the teacher, fortunately she must have realised what was going on as DS had been moved to a different table that very day.

This boy seems to have had issues with a number of the other boys and the mum has an odd way of dealing with it in that she goes up and speaks to the mother of the other boys and accuses them of behaving badly towards her son. I do feel for her and the boy, but he might be better placed with more girls or different pupils to balance things out.

Definitely have a word with the teacher and phrase it in the way you have described - it could just be that this boy and your son are like oil and water, destined not to mix very well.

His teacher just phoned, she was lovely!

They choose where to sit, the first week, just to ease them in. But she will mix it up for the final seating plan. She said she was glad I phoned and was very accomodating.

Yes I think my ds and this boy just don't mix well. They just need a break from each other.

Now I can sigh with relief and go back to my housework with . It seems ds has a lovely teacher this year!

So glad it all worked out. Hope your son enjoys his class this year!