To be furious about this, and should I report?

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

My job involves going into homes and sometimes schools.

Today the yr11's had to pay a pound to go to the show taking part in the afternoon (i believe its a talent show, some awards etc)

One lad in the group said he couldn't pay a pound. The teacher kept asking him why, and said have you got a pound?

He said yes, but it's for his dinner tomorrow.

Now it's pretty obvious the lad doesnt look well off, from his clothing etc.

Yet the teacher carried on in front of the whole class saying 'why cant you spare a pound. It's JUST a pound, stop being selfish' and kids in the class started joining in.

The boy looked so uncomfortable, it was heartbreaking. In the end he gave the pound.

Afterwards I had a word with the teacher, who still had the view that the boy was being selfish.

Was I unreasonable, and should I report it? Or would I be being silly?

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

Report. In writing. Ask for a response in writing within X amount of time and CC in relevant superiors

Thankyou, will do just that.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[phantomnamechanger]

I'd like to think the teacher knew the student, his family circumstances, and that he was just trying it on, and that this was just friendly banter, but it does not sound like it.

[thecatfromjapan]

Report it.

[Twoandtwomakeschaos]

I'd report and slip him a pound.

[ElvisJesusAndCocaCola]

In similar circumstances, I would have found a way to find one of my students the money - perhaps for helping me either an easy errand (not being made to earn it in a punishment/I'm better the. You kind of way, though). Many of my colleagues would do something similar.

YANBU.

[brettgirl2]

I'm just trying to be fair, the op has not met any of these people before. Perhaps he is just known for being tight and having a bit of a laugh? I don't believe a teacher would make him hand it over if he couldn't.

[WireCatGlitteryBaubles]

Report it.

I had no money as a teen at high school. If my free school meals ran out then I may have had some.

I'd have felt even crapper than normal.

She was not at all professional & IMO may have started a bullying campaign.

[minimalisthoarder]

Sounds like bullying to me. Report it - if the teacher genuinely hasn't done anything wrong, it'll soon be found out.

[Straitjacket]

Definitely report! That poor boy

[brettgirl2]

I used to teach and honestly ime those who could least afford it parted with cash for charity most readily .

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

brettgirl I have met both the teacher and the boy before. And his younger brother.

[hoobypickypicky]

Please report, put it in writing and demand a written reply. That's awful OP. :(

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

two I did feel like giving him some money then remembered how proud I was at his age and didn't want to embarrass him further. Arrgh I should have given him some.

[Chippednailvarnish]

The issue isn't if he could afford to give the pound. The issue is the bullying attitude of the teacher...

[wongadotmom]

Yes report the bully.
Evil prevails when good people do nothing.

[ChrisMooseMickey]

Thats so awful definately report it!!

[brettgirl2]

so you report.

all I'm saying is when I was a year 11 tutor two of the poorest kids would hand over their pound first.

[brettgirl2]

and they were also the smartest dressed

[Mim78]

Report it, definitely.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Brett reading between the lines the op is professionally involved with this boy and knows the situation well enough to judge. And even if he was being tight the response should be "see me at break" to discuss the mater without an audience or "ok, you'll miss out then". Not humiliation.

Report it op

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

Yes mines is right, I didn't want to go into too much detail in the OP

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

brettgirl2 if the boy had been the son of a millionaire the teacher had no right to humiliate him like that. Encouraging the other children to join in is bullying pure and simple.

YANBU

[DoYouLikeMyBaubles]

I went in this morning, was lucky enough to get a meeting with the head then and there (shine a light, can't do this for my own kid)

She wasn't impressed at all, and assured me she would be taking it further, I mentioned I'd put it into writing and would refer further if needed. She did express that the boy was having a hard time, and this probably made it that bit worse so was completely unacceptable on the teacher's part.

She also said she'd make sure he got a meal, without being too intrusive about it - and would see if both lads are getting free school meals etc, and any support they might need (although I do question why this isnt happening anyway since she acknowledged he was having a hard time of it)

I'll be back in the school possibly after christmas, I'll ask if it has been 'resolved', without asking for detail obviously.

Thankyou everyone for your input.