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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think the teacher should not have said this?

47 replies

TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 12:55

According to another Mum, DSs class teacher told them yesterday that if the children do not do well on their SATs then the teachers will not get a payrise...
I will be asking my DS when he comes home but IF she did say this AIBU to think that this was a ridiculous thing to say to 10-11 year olds?
A) Does it even have any bearing on their wages?
B) It puts pressure on children who are already anxious about the exams.

OP posts:
acasualobserver · 04/05/2016 12:58

Does it even have any bearing on their wages?

In theory, yes. But the teacher should not have said this to the children.

YorkieDorkie · 04/05/2016 13:00

I'm sure my HT would have had my head on a spike I'd transferred my stress onto the children. Not very professional.

poodlefromcatan · 04/05/2016 13:02

Could it have been aa joke? Hmm

ElegantDream · 04/05/2016 13:03

Yes, absolutely it has a bearing on their wages. Performance related pay.

No, she shouldn't have told the children.

Teachers are pressured and stressed up to the hilt. Totally wrong, but I feel for her.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 04/05/2016 13:04

WTAF. She really said that. YDNBU, but did she say it in an injest tone, but even so. It's still very very unprofessional to use terms like that and put pressure on children.

Not all children are academic or good on tests, but every child has something to offer. Some are creative. Others are good at sports ect.

I have no idea if it has a baring on their wages but even so. That's not the problem or fault of the children. Also she's the teacher teaching the children, so if they do all fail. Doesn't she need a kick up the arse, somewhere along the line.

lifesalongsong · 04/05/2016 13:04

With performance related pay it could be true but definitely not something to say to the class

NoSquirrels · 04/05/2016 13:04

It sounds to me like a joke the teacher made. Perhaps it was meant to lighten the mood, not stress them further? If your DS hasn't mentioned it to you, probably hasn't been on his mind...?

Of course, the teacher probably shouldn't have said it at all. But context is everything - some teachers are jokey, and the kids will know that at 10-11. If it was meant seriously then the teacher is an idiot!

soapboxqueen · 04/05/2016 13:05

Yes. It can have an impact on wages. No she shouldn't be saying that to the class.

SaturdaySurprise · 04/05/2016 13:05

I don't think it's an appropriate thing to say.

My year six DS said that his teacher goes on about how she hates Nicky Morgan and the government.

ErNope · 04/05/2016 13:06

A teacher said similar to me when I was in high school (year 8 so not that much older only a couple of years). It was meant as a joke, So i'd probably ask the teacher about it.I'd be very wary about taking it to the HT as she may have meant it in jest (Which IMO is fine). But it is unprofessional... Its a tricky one really.

LouBlue1507 · 04/05/2016 13:07

I agree with NoSquirells, it was probably meant as a light hearted joke.. If your DS hasn't mentioned it or isn't bothering him just let it go.

pinkdelight · 04/05/2016 13:08

Sounds like a joke to me. Can't seriously have been saying it as some kind of threat. As long as it's a joke, I'd be fine with it, 10/11yo's can take it.

Original poster
TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 13:09

I have no idea if it was said in jest, I'm not even 100% sure it WAS said in the first place. My own DS hasn't mentioned it. But I know he is already very anxious about the SATs as he struggles due to some minor SEN and I don't really want a blasé comment to make him feel guilty and apply more pressure to him.

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 04/05/2016 13:10

On the other hand she has demonstrated her primary motivation [mercenary] for their success in their SAT's.
Harsh lesson to learn when you are that young. It's not because we want you to do brilliantly for your own sake, it's because I'd really like a bonus/payrise.

starry0ne · 04/05/2016 13:12

I would guess it would of been said in ject but the saying never a truer word said in jest springs to mind...If your DS hasn't mentioned it..I wouldn't to him he may then think about something he didn't at the time and add more pressure.

SaturdaySurprise · 04/05/2016 13:12

I once heard a teacher telling a year 3 class that her summer holiday would be spoiled if they didn't work hard at school. This was not SATS or exam related, but I felt that it was a bit of an unnecessary guilt trip.

Original poster
TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 13:16

I just think there is a lot of pressure around SATs, especially for those who don't do well in normal circumstances, and I think a comment like this, whether in jest or not, adds to that pressure. I just think it was unnecessary, I don't think I will be complaining to the HT about it especially as I don't have all the facts

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 13:18

Thank you anyway for showing me IANU for thinking it was inappropriate.

OP posts:
TheDailyMailareabunchofcunts · 04/05/2016 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnotherEffingOrangeRevel · 04/05/2016 13:31

I can see this lightening the pressure, assuming it was a joke of course it bloody was - surely?

Gets away from "this is terribly important and will affect your future a lot" to "these stupid tests assess the teachers more than they assess you".

How many 10 year olds lie awake at night worrying about their teachers' salaries?

Goingtobeawesome · 04/05/2016 13:34

At a GCSE options meeting a teacher told me that the teachers push certain students towards their topics as the more passes = pay rise.

NoSquirrels · 04/05/2016 13:39

I tell my YR2 DC that the SATS are test for the teachers, to see how well they're doing at teaching them, not tests to see how much my DC knows. I know it's more intense as they get into YR6, but I hope to stick to this.

Original poster
TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 13:41

How many 10 year olds lie awake at night worrying about their teachers' salaries?

Usually mine wouldn't, but this kind of comment could make my DS feel very guilty and stress him out, he likes this particular teacher and would worry that he is affecting her life in a negative way by not doing well on his test.

I can see it being 'lighthearted' and like you say, trying to take away the impact on the children and putting it on them instead though.

I will see if DS mentions it and how he thinks it was said, and how he may feel about it. If it was said with any degree of pressure, I will use the 'it's more about judging their teaching, than you' line.

It's a sad thing though when teachers prove they care more about their wages and bonuses than the students they teach Sad

OP posts:
AnotherEffingOrangeRevel · 04/05/2016 13:43

Sorry, that was a bit abrupt of me, Goblin. I can see that the effect really depends on how it was said, your DS, his relationship with the teacher, etc.

Original poster
TheGoblinQueen2711 · 04/05/2016 13:49

I didn't read it as abrupt at all actually Revel
It's true, how many ten year olds would worry about their teachers wages?
I certainly didn't at 10.. I don't think I did at 15.

As I said, in normal circs, DS wouldn't give it a second thought. And I could be overthinking it, he still might not think about it, I just remember some of things he has felt guilty for in the past, which he really shouldn't have, and worry that he will feel bad for the teacher and worry about doing well on his test because of it.

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