School complaints Yr8

[chaosmonkey]

DS1 and 2 of his friends have been very upset by a teacher threatening them at school - they are aware that his threats are empty and meant to be jokes, but are still terrified of going to his lessons (2 of them were in tears one day asking to be kept at home that day as they were so scared)

When I complained, they said that they'd pull all 3 in, hear their side of it, and reassure them that everything is fine.

DS1 came home very upset - he'd been pulled out of his maths lesson to be told off for telling tales. The school thinks they shouldn't tell us what has happened, and that they will be punished if they continue to 'tell tales on teachers'

The school said to me they wouldn't do anything unless I put in a formal complaint, but that if I did that I'd have to make a public apology if the complaint procedure decided that the kids weren't being bullied!

AIBU to be really upset about this?

Mmm, I'm actually more concerned about the boys being told that they cannot "tell tales" to their parents, that is sooo wrong in so many levels.

the bold bit is from the person who told me I would need to make a public apology - the head of house who is dealing with the issue...

I think the Head of House is in for a bollocking from the Head of the School.

Is he also the one who said children should not "tell tales"?

Good shot chaos - you got them to admit to it in writing

Lovely! Just what I was hoping for Chaos. Another element to your complaint, nicely documented. I'm sure you'll work through this fine once you see the procedure, it's normally quite straightforward.

I don't think you should engage in any more conversation or emails about this, just get the policy and use it. Document everything with dates in preparation. I think when you make the complaint, as you are going to mention the threats made, you should include a request for the Headteacher to consider if there are any Safeguarding issues to be addressed.

If you don't have that complaints procedure in your hand by let's say Thursday, ring up and ask where it is. If you go into school ask for it to be left in Reception for you to collect later in the day. They must have it, it is a legal requirement.

Yep Holly - same teacher talked to me and the children.

thanks peeking - I really appreciate your help on this!

:) Sparkle. I have to admit I did a little dance when I got the email!

Loggle - am trying to prevent myself from following up with nasty comments.

In the first email I got from the head of the PE dept (not the teacher I was complaining about) he spelt misunderstanding as miss-understanding.

First draft of the reply said

I don't believe this is either a miss-understanding or a misunderstanding

But I removed it because I'm great at self-restraint.

Right - off to have a little tia-maria to celebrate stage one complete

Thanks everyone!

public apology "im sorry your not funny and my children didn't get the joke im sorry that you feel children should not tell their parents if something upsets them im sorry im thinking of changing schools im really sorry for you"

think they would appreciate that one?