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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is not an acceptable thing to make 6/7 year olds do?

106 replies

Levvylife · 12/06/2013 11:01

Quick canvassing of opinion: teachers making kids do star jumps and say "I'm a wally" when they have made a mistake, is not really on is it? Even if it's supposed to be "light-hearted" but is consistently used as a technique?

OP posts:
DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved · 13/06/2013 01:12

Awful. Please complain, and let us know how you get on, am honestly shocked by the teachers behaviour on multiple grounds, and I really hope this is not allowed to continue. Gosh I am actually rather cross on your behalf!

  • inappropriate method of correcting errors in general (I thought we now know that humiliation isn't a great motivator?!)
  • inappropriate for the learning aims of the child - being encouraged to write rather than paralysis and fear of not being perfect
  • inappropriate for the context- child brings something in from home, teachers reaction to punish?!

Honestly, it's disgusting and so worrying.., what else is this teacher doing? Doesn't show any teaching skill or human empathy or ... Well any teaching ability at all!

Btw know exactly what you mean by having to let it sink in before you know quite how to react, doesn't matter, just as good to think it over then address it.

raisah · 13/06/2013 05:36

report the teachet to the head, I doubt the head will know about this technique & might br interested to find out why public humiliaion is being used as a teaching method. The jb of the teacher is to teach, not to humiliate.

englishteacher78 · 13/06/2013 06:05

Wow! Just wow. Would this teacher do this in front of OFSTED? How old are they? Humiliation has been unacceptable for decades!
He's 6 and doing independent writing for fun? Excellent I say!
If there are primary teachers like this no wonder so many hate writing by secondary school.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 13/06/2013 06:43

When I read the op, I thought the punishment was for bad behaviour, and I had mixed/meh feelings about it. When I saw that it's for grammatical errors, I was outraged! Shock

teacherandguideleader · 13/06/2013 06:48

Totally not acceptable - I would be ecstatic if one of my class was doing work for pleasure, even if there were errors - which I would then sit down with them to correct and help them to understand.

I have called a few kids something along the lines of 'muppet/wally' before - but they were teenagers I had a great relationship with and was for things like leaving their shoes out in the rain, or dropping their dinner when camping (although called a muppet, they were immediately dished up another portion!).

In the context you describe, it is totally not acceptable.

englishteacher78 · 13/06/2013 06:49

Even if it was for bad behaviour such a punishment would be unacceptable. Making the child say 'I'm a wally'! I would usually make it clear the child was not and distancing them from the behaviour - you punish the behaviour not the child. Imagine the effect that this will be having on those children's confidence.
And she did it in front of the OP? Shocking.

Original poster
Levvylife · 13/06/2013 07:33

It gets worse - according to DS they also sometimes get a jokey "bop on the nose." Shock

We're going in first thing, both of us. Angry

OP posts:
englishteacher78 · 13/06/2013 07:36

What?! If you get nowhere today you really must report this further. Next step governors, then if no joy you can then contact OFSTED.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 13/06/2013 07:40

God. Levy I haven;t read the whole thread because I wanted to get to the end to see what was being done. Your poor DS. This isn't a private school is it?

My DD went to a tiny independant school for the first three years and similar things happened....one child had her fingers sellotaped together for nail biting. Your POOR DS.

As for the nose bopping...words fail me I bet you want to go in and bop the twat of a teacher on HER nose!

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 13/06/2013 07:42

Oh and DONT let them bluster their way out of it!

Original poster
Levvylife · 13/06/2013 07:52

Nope, not a private school! Just regular C of E.

OP posts:
Josie1974 · 13/06/2013 07:55

My ds has just turned 7, in yr 2 and I'm v shocked at this. I would be horrified if this happened in his class - but I know it doesn't. His teachers seem to be unfailingly lovely and full of praise and provide very structured, constructive help.

This teacher sounds v misguided, I would def go straight to head and expect it to stop immediately.

Pozzled · 13/06/2013 07:57

Good luck today. Don't let them fob you off. Make it clear that you will be taking it further if it continues.

MrsMelons · 13/06/2013 08:18

I am so shocked about this, I wonder how many other children she has done things like this to.

How awful for the children - I would be livid and definitely speaking to the HT/DH. I hope you get a reasonable response!

Original poster
Levvylife · 13/06/2013 10:02

Ok - saw the headmistress and she was lovely. I ended up in tears which I'm really annoyed with myself about but the whole thing has really upset me, took up half of yesterday and I've also got awful PMT so am fit for nothing today.

She said that she totally agreed with me and would address it. She's also going to put him on the Author's Chair and get him to read to the whole school and really big him up so am happy with that. Am just so relieved it's all dealt with now and I can stop seething! Thanks for all the replies, it's been very helpful. Smile

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 13/06/2013 10:06

Oh result! That's fab about the Author's Chair! I am so pleased. I am also pleased the wanker of a "teacher" is getting told. I would ask for a follow up...I would want a PROMISE that it won't ever happen again.

Buzzardbird · 13/06/2013 10:11

That is great news :)

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 13/06/2013 11:19

Great result.

diddl · 13/06/2013 11:30

That is fucking awful.

And it wasn't even school work that he showed her?

And "I'm a wally"???

How does using a wrong tense make you a wally?

It makes you -in this case-a 6yr old who used a wrong tense FFS.

Will the teacher have to do star jumps whilst saying "I'm a shit teacher"?

englishteacher78 · 13/06/2013 11:53

I'd want a little more than her just being told! This is a serious disciplinary offence - on her part!

Sarahplane · 13/06/2013 11:56

I would definitely go to the head. That's horrible.

narbles22 · 13/06/2013 13:03

Am a teacher - with a kid that cant spell for toffee and it held up her writing MASSIVELY.
I would definately make an appontment with the head and ask for the teacher to be present.
Today at pick up. NO need to sleep on it
You could be nicey nicey about it and just speak to the teacher but personally, as professional of 17 years standing I think s/he needs a damn good dressing down.
Truely shocking.

Josie1974 · 13/06/2013 13:53

Good for you levvylife!! Hope you feel better about it all now, glad the head agreed with you.

Wow being a parent can be hard - doing the right thing for your dc can really take you out of yr comfort zone. Hope yr sons school experience improves now.

Idocrazythings · 13/06/2013 14:42

How truly awful for your DS. I have a sensitive DD and would hate for that to be done to her.

Maybe Im speakibg out of turn but I just wonder though how long it has been going on for, and why it has not been stopped earlier? Surely other teachers would have seen this "teaching method" they would/should have done something about it? Rather than you randomly being present?

Pozzled · 14/06/2013 18:50

Have only just seen your update OP. I hope the HT had very serious words with the teacher concerned. Make sure you keep asking your DS how things are, and go straight back to the HT if he reports anything else. Even if involves other children rather than your son.