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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:
VikingVagine · 18/11/2013 17:13

We're in the South, near Avignon, don't want to say any more in public due to anonymity!

OP posts:
unobtanium · 18/11/2013 17:13

PS have you tried posting under Living Overseas?

VikingVagine · 18/11/2013 17:27

Not posted there as I'm not sure I'd get any more info than I can get through work (I'm a teacher so know how unfair the system can be). It's helped a lot to hear what you've all said though as it's reassured me I'm not over reacting. DH is furious with today's events too (he's also a teacher). We're making an appointment first thing tomorrow to see the HT and he teacher urgently. I might ask for last year's teacher to be there too, we didn't have any of this crap back then so I'm pretty sure we're NBU.

OP posts:
Whatisaweekend · 18/11/2013 17:30

I would be fuming. This teacher sounds like utter crap. What a shame when your ds made such good progress last year. Is there any chance of roping in last years teacher to help/advise/offer guidance? Poor you. I am not surprised you want them to rip them a new one.

Whatisaweekend · 18/11/2013 17:31

Ah great minds OP!! Fingers crossed for you that it goes well.

Brucietheshark · 18/11/2013 17:41

Omg I would storm in and have the mother of all rows with this woman.

Which could of course make things a lot worse for your DS.

Could you speak to the head again, suggest that this woman is now victimising your DS and insist that he is moved to the other group even if this means they have one extra child?

What is the system there - what threats do you have? Eg Ofsted equivalent. Can you threaten ridiculous things like calling a meeting of disgruntled parents in order to protest in some way (head might shit himself if he/she knows there are lots of you)?

VikingVagine · 18/11/2013 17:47

I can't make too much of a scene as I'm a teacher myself in the middle school above, and in France it's seen as all being part of one big family. I can't get in touch with the inspection acadèmique (equ. OFSTED) directly as it will be frowned upon if I don't go through the correct procedure (which begins with informing the HT).
As she is a stagière (not yet a fully qualified teacher, this is her placement year) I might get further than if she were a well established teacher. In any case in have to watch out as I don't want to get into trouble from my inspectors (which I might if I rip her a new one get annoyed).

OP posts:
onedev · 18/11/2013 19:02

Nightmare - I feel the RAGE on your behalf. From what you've said though, deep breaths all round are what's required unfortunately! Good luck with the head teacher!

VikingVagine · 19/11/2013 17:12

So, HT wants us to meet up with the teacher on our own first to try and sort things out between ourselves Hmm , so we're going to see her on Thursday after school.

I managde to speak to another parent who I work with (another teacher) and she's said she's really unhappy about lots of things too, and she's spoken to other mums who have all said they've had to complain about various different things since the beginning of term.

Looks like the shit is about to hit the fan.

OP posts:
onedev · 19/11/2013 21:07

Good luck for Thursday then. Horrible so many children are losing out by having a rubbish teacher before something gets done!!

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 19/11/2013 21:30

YANBU. This sounds all too familiar with my DS, who also has dyslexia, he had little, if any, support from his primary school. According to his teacher our county does not provide support for dyslexics and they do not pay for testing. After we had to pay £300 to have him tested he was found to be severely dyslexic. The school had no idea how to cope, insisting that he copied everything from a board and ,although an individual plan for him was drawn up, it was not followed. Nobody at his primary school seemed to have experience with dyslexic children.
Sorry about my rant on your thread OP but I really do feel for you. My only advice would be to move to another school. My DS has just moved to a wonderful secondary school, where they do acknowledge dyslexia. He is so much happier there and I feel about 10 years younger as I feel that I am not banging my head on a brick wall.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 19/11/2013 21:36

Forgot to add good luck for Thursday can you take another parent with you?

VikingVagine · 20/11/2013 07:12

I'm just going to go with DH as we're only going to talk about our problems. I suspect it won't resolve anything, in which case I'm going to get in touch with as many disgruntled parents as possible and storm the Bastille school!

OP posts:
Oblomov · 20/11/2013 07:52

We had a bad teacher, in Yr2. Now Yr5. Not a lot you can do. She's not going to suddenly have a 'revelation', is she?
Keep going and just be glad that he's leaving at the end of this year.

Slatecross · 20/11/2013 08:14

Nothing to offer other than YANBU and I really think you might reconsider the "spray with shit" option!

VikingVagine · 10/12/2013 07:03

We met with the teacher and her replacement. It didn't go well, I only managed ten minutes before storming out.

She refuses to sit DS at the front as it won't make any difference as he doesn't concentrat no matter where he is, so he might as well be at the back (next to a very disruptive child). I pointed out that dyslexic children need to be as close to the front as possible, to which she replied that she had four in her class so what was she supposed to do. I asked if she thought she was the only teacher to have so many dys kids in her class and that it is our job as teachers to adapt out teacheing to cover the heterogeneity of the class. She then got angry with me and said something about me being so uninterested in my son's scholar it's that she could give me a copy of someone else's test paper and I wouldn't even realise it wasn't his (we have to sign all tests, and apparently one time DS brought home someone else's test, amongst lots of other tests, I forgot to sign this lot of tests but read through them, I remember noticing one wasn't DS's but didn't say anything, and when he bought them back a second time to sign, I didn't look at the tests and ended up accidentally signing the one that wasn't his). I asked her repeat what she was causing me of but she wouldn't, it got all shorty and I stormed out with poor DS in floods of tears. DH stayed for an hour and she came out with all sorts of lies and threats, including threatening to go to social services because his pencil case was never complete and his trousers sometimes had holes in the knees. DH told her to go ahead and report us.

I'm going to see my HT this afternoon to see what he advises us to do.

OP posts:
VikingVagine · 10/12/2013 07:06

Sorry about typos, am rushing off to work.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 10/12/2013 07:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Runswithsquirrels · 10/12/2013 08:23

You are paying for this?

I would suggest she is just plain rubbish. How many teachers have to be taken out of huge classroom for a few weeks training?

You are paying for a service and quite simply not getting it. It's not good enough, especially when you chose to pay for this school based on your son's specific needs.

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