To be upset and cross with dd2s teacher?

[Asimovbuff]

Dd2 loves drama. She does a paid for drama club at school with yearly exams. She's worked in a group for the last 3 years and the group has been awarded distinctions in all 3 exams. The teacher doesn't seem to like dd very much and has written a few strange reports about her attitude and commitment. When we've emailed the teacher to discuss she has never replied. We've spoken to dd who seems oblivious. She's a sunny child who does well in all her lessons and school drama lessons where the teacher (a different one) praises her work ethic. She does have some problems with literacy which she is getting extra help for - this doesn't affect her ability to learn lines which she is very quick at.

When she returned this term, it transpired that the other two girls in the group had been put together as a duo and there was no place for dd apparently the mum of one of the other girls has requested this "when she bumped into me (the drama teacher) by chance in reception. "

So basically they've decided that the other two girls will work on a duologue this year and dd has nothing. So she'll have to give up, unless she wants to do a monologue (which she doesnt). There is no one else she can go with and all the groups have been decided. I feel really upset. AIBU?

Just to add a couple of years ago there was another girl in the group. She was dyspraxic and dyslexic and the mum of one of the girls who have formed the duo asked me to complain about her so that she got moved out of the group. I refused. Looks like she's done similar to dd

Sounds like the teacher had nothing bad to say about your dd but was trying to make something up on the spot.

Teacher's behaviour sounds toxic. I would write a written complaint to the head even if dd doesn't continue this year.

At 12 there is no other basis for taking part in drama than for fun - fun in the drama skills and confidence, for sure.

Honestly? I would not bother at all about LAMDA exams etc. Do you have a regional theatre near you? Most Arts Council funded theatres have participation programmes which give young people much more creative ownership over their work and engage in adventurous, ambitious theatre. They can usually do Arts Award through these organisations, too.
I know provision is patchy, but if you PM me your rough location I might be able to advise on somewhere.

It is good that the head of drama witnessed the pathetic performance of this teacher in not being able to substantiate any criticism of your dd, and I daresay will be taking some action. I Head of drama will not want a good keen pupil put off the subject or subject to difficulties in extending it outside the curriculum.

Definitely put in a complaint and include the lack of any ability t give specific feedback or targets.

Bad enough that children can suffer bullying behaviour from their peers let alone supposed professionals joining in.

It always worries me, threads like this. You hear of people being cruel like this to colleagues/acquaintances/even friends, but you hope that teachers would have a bit more about them, and be aware of the importance of their job and in instilling confidence in children /teens, that they wouldn't be unfair and bullying to them.

It's so sad.

Thank you all for your support