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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU about this teacher? Possibly longest post ever on MN.

69 replies

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 12:10

Disclaimer: we live in France and this is very long.

11yo DS is severely dyslexic and has always struggled at school. Last year, after being diagnosed by a neurologist who specialises in everything dys, we decided to put DS in a private school (several reasons, old school not catering for dyslexic pupils, new school right next to our place of work, and a couple of other less relevant things).

After putting together a file with information from the neurologist, a speech therapist and a psychologist, we talked with his (then new teacher) about how best to accommodate his dyslexia without putting anyone else out. The year went really well, teacher did photocopies for DS who just had to fill in the blanks as she taught (rather than have to write pages of lessons), she had him sitting at the front so she could make sure he stayed focused, and when it came to tests he was allowed ten minutes extra at the end (all things which are recommended for dyslexic children).

DS evolved over the year, going from not enjoying school to looking forward to the end of the holidays. His psychologist and speech therapist both said that he had made excellent progress.

This year, new class, new teacher (same school, last year of primary).

Parents evening at the beginning of term, alarm bells start ringing. Amongst other things she says she doesn't really know what she's going to be doing with the children over the year, she'll see how things go. Also, if the kids stop paying attention after an hour or so, it doesn't matter, they can turn to their neighbour for a chat; after all, children can't be expected to stay concentrated for long. It's her first year as a teacher, she loves kids, got four of her own so she's sure it'll be fine.

Obviously everyone has to start somewhere, all teachers are new teachers at first.

Since the meeting, a couple of incidents.

After about a month, we got a note in DS's correspondence book (a kind of notebook that all French pupils have as a way of communicating between parents and the school) saying that DS hadn't been doing all his homework. This is the first we've heard of it, so we go through all of DS's books and low and behold, little comments from the teacher saying about things not being done. We are in part responsible as we know DS well enough to know better. However we had been scrupulously looking at his homework diary every day and doing what was written, plus some extra for good measure and we'd been checking his correspondence book to check for other info, but there hadn't been anything in it. So we made an appointment to see the teacher, turns out DS frequently didn't have time to write down the homework, and having a mind like a sieve he'd forget it the second he was out of the school gate. We agreed that either the teacher would write up his homework, or make sure he had time to write it down. Since then homework has been mostly ok, other than the fact that DS has a tendency to not bring the right books home, in which case DH or I give him similar work to do (the syllabus is easily accessible online). On average DS does between an hour and a half to two hours each night during the week and about an extra hour or two on weekends.

On top of school work, DS also has standing appointments at the speech therapists twice a week outside of school hours, and one with the psychologist an hour before the end of the school day on Fridays.

We (teacher and head) agreed that he should stay in the playground after break time so I could come and get him then (you have to ring a bell, present yourself to a camera and say what you want before being allowed access to the playground).

First week, no sign of DS in the playground, so I went up to the classroom and had to wait 10 minutes while he got all his stuff together, we were 15 minutes late. I asked the teacher (while DS was getting his stuff) that next week he be ready and take his bag down to break, she said it was neither the time nor place to discuss it.

Following week, similar situation, get to school, no DS in playground, I'm just hoping he's at least got his bag ready this time. Go up to classroom, it's empty. Run down to office, they don't know where the class is either. Then the buzzer goes, it's the class returning from an excursion to the local fields. By this time we're over 15 minutes late, I'm fucking furious mildly annoyed so I point out to the teacher (in front of the kids) that we're now late, her reply was that she decided they were going out and that's all there is to it. Her class, her timetable, her choice. I the had to wait for DS to go up to the classroom, get his stuff and come back down again, during which time I reminded the teacher that it had already been agreed that DS needed to be ready to go at 3:20 on Fridays, in the playground. She didn't even bother to answer.

Following week, 3:20, no DS in the playground, so I go up to the classroom, and it's a different teacher, original teacher is off on training for a couple of weeks and has been replaced. Sub isn't aware of the situation and doesn't want me to take DS. Several kids in the class confirm that every week DS has to go to his appointment so she reluctantly lets me take him. Big improvement, we're only 10 mins late this time Hmm

Following week, I get there a little earlier than usual (not usually possible) and all the kids are still in the playground, DS has his bag with him and everything, I find the teachers on duty, let them know I'm taking DS, all fine, (have also spoken to the secretary via camera) we arrive at the appointment ON TIME! 40 minutes later, phone call from panicked teacher, they seem to have lost DS Hmm

The following week we are called in for a meeting with the Head. I knew it was going to be in part about me being somewhat curt with the teacher. Head says according to DS's teacher(s), he's not getting the support he needs at home, he's not doing his homework etc. (subtext we're being accused of not providing for him correctly). Also he thinks we need to talk (apologise) to the teacher for speaking out of turn and undermining her authority in front of her class.

By this time I'm bristling but luckily DH is doing the talking, reminding the Head about DS's dyslexia and the fact that we had a few homework issues at the beginning but that it had been sorted.

I did voice my annoyance about the 3:20 and he said that he'd speak to her (and to be fair it's been fine since then).

I said when I'd calmed down a bit, I'd ask for a meeting after half term.

Half term came and went, DS had an awful lot of homework, but we did it, one thing was to read the first chapter of a book which we had to buy. As the book was available on Kindle, we didn't get the paper version and on the first day back I went to let the teacher know he'd got an e-reader in his bag as amongst other things he could change the font making easier for him to read. She didn't know what an e-reader was, and when I explained she wasn't happy but accepted it as we hadn't bought the paper version.

Last week he was told to revise for two tests (dates were indicated in his homework diary), so we spent a lot of time helping him revise for the tests. I picked him up from school and asked how they went, apparently teacher didn't have time, so they'd have to do them the following day. Not great, but it happens. We went over everything again that evening. Following day, only time for one test, they'd have to do the other next week. I know nanny kids get stressed about tests, and I thought this was petty unfair.

This weekend he bought home his report, it's disastrous, even the subjects he's usually good at are bad, although it's a shame after last year, we accept that, however the last sentence is "DS doesn't do any work at home" which fucks me right off as it's inaccurate, DS frequently forgets to bring home the right books, but he does work, and we make sure he catches up if he forgot something.

AIBU in thinking this teacher is irritating or am I being overly precious about DS's education? Should I ask to speak to the head about it?

If you've read this far you deserve a medal. IABVU for posting such a long post and fully expect zero replies.

OP posts:
onedev · 17/11/2013 12:19

I read the whole way through Smile

Unfortunately however I've no advice, but given the circumstances you describe above, I'm not surprised your fuming - I'd be raging! Can you go to see the Head again to discuss? Or ask that he moves teachers, to someone more structured?

Good luck.

Blueandwhitelover · 17/11/2013 12:22

Just sending hugs, my goddaughter spent four years in the French school system with no allowances made for her dyslexia.
is there an English school at all that he could attend or is he fluent in French?

AuditAngel · 17/11/2013 12:24

DS has now been diagnosed as borderline dyslexic, but actually, that sn't relevant ere.

2 years ago DS had a teacher he didn't get along with and our entire year consisted of counting down to July, ready to change classes.

The leaving tests hanging is annoying, but not the end of the world.

The lateness for appointments is more of a problem. Have you tried putting reminders in his communication book?

We are also acing problems with the books not coming home, fortunately we get less homework so can do it anther night.

Branleuse · 17/11/2013 12:31

I think the relationship has completely broken down, and you need to look at other schools

CoffeeTea103 · 17/11/2013 12:34

It does seem like a great amount of expectations from both sides. Maybe the school isn't willing to provide the additional individual attention your son requires. Perhaps look into other schools.

DropYourSword · 17/11/2013 12:40

Generally on threads with similar titles the parents end up sounding exceptionally unreasonable and precious. However, it sounds like you're having a really horrible time through no fault of your own. You understandably got annoyed at a situation, and now this teacher is punishing you through your child. It's awful for you. No real errors odd advice but I really hope you can find a solution to this....especially as you're doing up to two hours homework A NIGHT!

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 12:41

There is only one other teacher who teaches CM2 (year 5 I think in the English system) at the school. Head has already said changing classes isn't possible as the other class is full at it would mean exchanging with another child which he's not prepared to do as it would be disruptive for the other child (fair enough).

He's bilingual, but has always lived in France, we did look at international schools, but the nearest one is two hours away.

Changing schools isn't really a possibility, he could go back to the original school where his teacher would be pleasant enough but hopeless (it's a tiny school with three levels per class and he's completely out of his depth as would be many teachers). The other primary's in the area are full and won't accept any new pupils if they already have a place elsewhere.

I think it's also going to be a case of counting down the days until July Sad and trying to hold my tongue each time DS comes home with another story.

Thanks for reading!!!

OP posts:
VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 12:44

I feel somewhat reassured that I am apparently NBU.

OP posts:
turnaroundbrighteyes · 17/11/2013 13:00

Assuming she's still there could you ask for a meeting with new teacher, last years teacher and the head to try and go through what parts of the support given last year the school are willing to continue with?

springyticky · 17/11/2013 13:07

It sounds like they have no truck with dyslexia and are purposefully blocking you. It also sounds like you inadvertently stumbled across a good teacher last year, but not this year.

Apologise, if you must but you can have dead eyes when you do . Don't rile her - she's obviously not above using your child to get back at you - bow and scrape up to a point. It has to be done . Count the days until July - you wouldn't be the first.

What we do eh to keep our kids happy and settled..

YANBU. You could approach the HT but make sure you simper overly praise the shit teacher. DS has only got a year to go so you can hold in your rage for that time.

Then spray the building with shit

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 13:12

This is the main issue with being in France, teaching contracts are extremely difficult to end, even in private schools. Unless she does something along the lines of physically abusing a pupils, she's there until the end of the school year.

Last year's teacher is still there, I suppose I could ask to speak to her too. I got the impression the Head wasn't overly happy with the new teacher (I suspect we're not the only disgruntled parents) but in schools here it's : always defend your staff regardless of what they've done, within reason (same goes for colleagues, even if the old teacher thinks the new one is awful, she won't back us up as it's not the done thing).

OP posts:
VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 13:16

Then spray the building with shit

4yo DD is in her second year at the same school, so in theory she's got another 6.5 years there, so I probably won't be doing that! Grin

On the plus side, offending teacher won't be there next year, and most of the other teachers there are brilliant.

OP posts:
Leverette · 17/11/2013 13:19

This reply has been deleted

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SueDoku · 17/11/2013 13:20

The teacher sounds incredibly lacking in knowledge (not knowing what an e-reader is..????) and in organisation. I strongly suspect that she is of the school that thinks that dyslexia means 'not good at reading' and has no idea of all the other associated issues. We went through all this with our DS (and came out the other side okay, so there is hope).

A meeting with the old teacher, new teacher and head sounds a good idea. Copies of your DS's file with information from the neurologist, speech therapist and psychologist will need to be given to everyone - we probably handed out around 70 copies of our DS's info as he progressed up the school, as this was never passed on. We've had parents' evenings when we asked teachers whether they knew he was dyslexic and they all looked amazed... Angry

If you're not already doing so, keep a log of all the work done by your DS (with the time taken for each task) so that you can counter any allegations from the school that he hasn't been working/supported at home. Also log all instances of him being prepared for tests etc which then don't take place. Make the point that this not only wastes his time, but yours, as the same work has to be repeated.

Good luck..! Flowers

dozeydoris · 17/11/2013 13:32

It sounds like revenge for your 'disrespect' of her. Is this report going to be to DS's detriment long term? If not I would let it go.

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 13:39

I'm not overly worried about her comments on the report as next year DS moves up to collège (middle school) and all the teachers there know about the issues we're having with current teacher (DH and I both work there).

OP posts:
FannyMcNally · 17/11/2013 13:41

Regards the appointments, we don't get children ready until the parent turns up as there could be a lot of hanging about if the parent is late. The only time we 'think ahead' is PE time ie we'd remember not to let the child get changed into PE kit. Can't you just turn up 10 minutes early?

I'm just wondering if the expectations are higher generally this year and the teacher just can't provide worksheets for him to fill in the gaps? That sounds very lazy to me anyway but I can understand why he liked it!

Hope you find a solution.

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 13:52

I can't show up earlier, as I'm at work, and it's such a tight turn around to get to the appointment on time, I'm never late, so he doesn't have to hang around; I arrive literally 5 minutes after the bell has gone.

As for the work sheets (they're not worksheets, just texts with gaps) this is something which is recommended to allow dyslectic children to listen to the lesson to try and understand and not get stressed because he's only written two lines when all the other children have already written down a whole page. The blanks force him to pay attention and follow what the teacher is saying, it's a great relief for those who really struggle with writing. She doesn't do this DS has come home on several occasions devastated because he got into trouble for not having written whole lesson down. I know of a few teachers who are like this, they often say they can't give print outs because it would take them too long to type it up before hand, I can understand this, but they could do a sheet with the main bullet points on, or tell the child to write down the key words as opposed to the whole thing. This teacher has already said she's not very organised, and has said she sometimes doesn't know what lesson she is going to do until she's doing it.

OP posts:
VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 13:53

Feel free to add punctuation and paragraphs where you like. Blush

OP posts:
neunundneunzigluftballons · 17/11/2013 14:02

You have my sympathy. Dd is dyslexic and we are totally blessed to have a wonderful resource teacher in her school who has made life way better for her. Class teachers have been a teeny bit hit and miss though so I can understand your frustration. I think though that you are going to have to try to engage with the system only in so far as it serves your son but appear to be very engaged. Firstly try if possible to get that appointment out of school hours or weigh up whether the benefit outweighs the hassle it is causing between missing school time and added confusion.

As for homework I think it can sometimes be over rated. Even with dd as young as she is I am looking to the longer term for her and being very strategic focusing on things she needs to do in the longer term. Some homework we emphasise and some we don't.

Already you have a son who can speak 2 languages fluently so he is ahead of the game there too.

Tinlegs · 17/11/2013 14:09

I would have thought you might have a bit more clout, this being a private school which must, one assumes, rely on having a good reputation in order to "sell" it's places. I second the idea of a meeting with the Head, class teacher and last year's teacher.

I think you need to make it about the future, however, not the past.

I would go in with notes, printed out. Could you take in examples of things he did the previous year, all the time, praising the school and how much they helped him, asking them to do the same this year. Basically, you need to trap the new teacher into agreeing to put in place the same systems.

He must have some sort of "rights" under French law to be able to access education alongside his peers. He should, as a minimum, get extra time, support with reading / note taking. Could he use an iPad? There are good recording devices so he could mutter in the key points, rather than writing.

MrsS1980 · 17/11/2013 14:41

I'd agree with Suedoku and Tinlegs. Log everything and only communicate via letters or emails. If there is an option to change school I'd take it. A year can have a huge impact.
Good luck!

PlanetEarthIsBlue · 17/11/2013 14:49

Erm, enabling a child to access all aspects of the curriculum is an important aspect of any teacher's role. If that involves preparing modified handouts in advance of the lesson is what it takes to enable your son to make progress, then that is what she should be doing.

VikingVagine · 17/11/2013 14:58

DH is looking into our legal rights with regards to his dyslexia, we're going to make another appointment with the neurologist ASAP and then put together a dossier to try and get DS recognised as having a handicap which means teachers won't have a choice in the matter and we won't have to go through god knows what each year trying to get him the help he needs. It also means that when it comes to official exams (the DNB - equivalent more or less of GCSEs and the baccalaureate - a levels) he'll have extra time and slightly simplified papers.

OP posts:
helenthemadex · 17/11/2013 15:09

it sounds like her inexperience as a teacher is showing and her lack of knowledge about dyslexia, which is all bad news for your ds

Did you put together the same file with the information from the neurologist, speech therapist and psychologist for the new teacher? if not is it possible to do that and book another appointment to talk through it with her, if you didn't then it will be hard for her to know how to help him. If you have already done this then as others have suggested a meeting with teacher, ht and maybe previous teacher would be helpful

In my experience french schools are very focused on academic and not always great at supporting children.

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