To report this to OFSTED?

[ShiftLD]

My daughter (6yrs) was "left behing" three times this year. Twice at dismissal times, me at the gate seen the whole class coming down and not DD. Teacher had no idea. I went inside school searching for her, teacher too, I finally found her crying at the playground with the late class teacher (she got down by one stair and I went up by the other). This happened twice, once because she went to the toilet close to dismissal time and the other because she was looking for her reading book. The third time happened yesterday, she went to the toilet and the teacher ' accidently' left her behind to go to gym class in another building outside the school. Luckly, even sobbing, she ask for help and another teacher went with her to the place, I can't immagine what could have happened if she decided to look for them on the street and left the school building by herself. Teacher said DD is distracted, I think I doesn't matter, in the end of the day we are the adults and is our responsability to keep them safe (phisically and psychologically), even a 'distracted' little one. Shoul I report this? Should I talk to the Principal? Do you think, honestly, that the problem is my daughter ?

I think it sounds like the teacher needs better classroom management. When I teach younger ones online them up in pairs so it's easy to count them. They also tend to wander less if hiding someone's hand. I imagine there might be a teaching assistant. Even if no permission was granted for. A trip to the toilet, the teacher should have checked before they all left that she had them all. I think it's probably a bit dramatic to go straight to Ofsted, but I do think talking to the lead on safeguarding or the headteacher would be a good plan, because even if your daughter is distracted they need to ensure she is safe.

I teach Upper Stages and still line them up/do head counts when going to PE/library/field. It's basics. I'm always counting children ! If I'd 'lost' a little one once, I'd be tightening up my routines.

Not an Ofsted issue. In our school children are sent with registers or on errands around the school from the age of 4 so they know where they are and learn some responsibility. I would be speaking to your daughter about using the toilet earlier in the day and that home time is not an acceptable time to go. I would also expect the teacher to do a proper headcount. However she was always safely in the school and although upset was not in danger so I would keep that in mind when speaking to the teacher. Six year olds should be able to follow routines and instructions assuming there are no other issues

I can imagine how nicely that letter would go down.

Dear Ofsted, My daughter is a dally daydream, can't follow simple instructions given to her by the class teacher and has ended up left behind the class on three occasions. Clearly this is the class teachers fault entirely and she should ignore the 30 other 6yr olds in the class to hand hold my daughter through the intricacies of going to P.E. and leaving at the end of the day. Please ensure through your infinite Ofstedy powers that this teacher is cast out never to grace a classroom again.

Kind regards

Disgruntled Mother.

I'm just shocked that it is possible for a 6yo child to physically leave the grounds of the school and end up on the street.

Our local primaries are like fort knox

But actually, if I know I've got a straggler/daydreamer in my class, that is what I do. I keep an extra eye out for them. Even with my older pupils, I've got one who is often not where he should be/likes to hang out in the toilet playing with the taps etc. His name is frequently on my lips, sometimes being said through gritted teeth, but I do do an extra check for him.

Does she not actually notice that the entire class is going one way and she's going the other? Is this inability to focus apparent in any other areas of her life?

Ridiculous to report to OFSTED before you have done anything to resolve this with the school. (If you see a crime would you immediately report to a high court judge before telling the police?)

First, talk again to the teacher and agree a plan to help your dd be in the right place at the right time. If you feel the issue is not resolved, then ask the head to be involved. If there is still a serious issue then talk to the school governors.

And it does seem you are over-thinking the risks here. At no time was your dd off the school property or unsafe. She went to the toilet and came out with the next teacher. Hopefully you have taught her never ever to leave the playground without you and she has been told what to do if you're not there. It all seems not really an issue to me.

Hairspray - that letter is ridiculous.

Even if the chidl is being silly/naughty/irresonsible etc etc (which, considering she is 6 I don't think so)
it is still 100% teacher's responsibility to count the kids!

As an ex teacher, there is no way this is anythign but 100% teahcers fault.
The first time I can imagine, (but still not good) from then on, your teacher internal radar goes - Ok i have counted, just checked child X is still with us - because she is know to be a bit distactred- quick repeat count)
There are 101 strategies.

1. she holds teachers hand at front of line
2. children in pairs, so you can ask, has everyone still got their partner?
3. When you line up you check where she is and give her a reminder - remember once in the line you don't leave it
4. You have await point outside your classroom - so walk out to the bottom of steps, class stops, re-count, to check they are all there, then say to last child. Make sure no-one drops behind you! (they will shout if someone does)

etc etc etc

This is a teaching skill. Yes it would be lovely of every child were perfect and didn't wander off, but they are CHILDREN. So the ADULTS must make sure they are there.

Hairspray don't be an arse.

It depends on the situation really. If DD is asking to go look for her book or go to the loo the teacher needs to be more aware and is at fault (and rather distracted his/her self). If DD is taking it upon herself to leave the line and go look for the book or to the toilet then she needs to learn to ask.

I would be worried about the gym. I've worked with a few age groups, from babies in a private nursery to year 6 in a school. All teachers always count the children when leaving the classroom and again before (if) they leave the school gates to make sure none have wondered off. If they do they are told off, they need to be more aware and responsible for themselves. At this point I would expect the class teacher (or more likely a TA if the class has one) to insist that your DD walks at their side when leaving the building. If DD isn't there to walk at her side them teacher might remember she's given her permission to find a book or go to the toilet x minutes ago and still hasn't returned.

Caring for (and not losing! ) a range of DC with differing needs isn't 'hand-holding', it's basic duty of care and failures are a safeguarding issue.

Okay, OFSTED isn't the first resort but there's no need for that shitty tone.

Am I the only one imagining that some posters on this thread run their families like Captain Von Trapp? Whistles and drills and no slacking from the little ones?

I really think some people have never been in an actual classroom with 30 typical kids.
Because your own kids can do it at 6, there is genuine bemusement at best and horror at worst that not all 6 year olds do it.

I help out often on school trips and dd2 is now year 4. There are at least 3, maybe more kids in her class that require that 'on the teacher's radar' approach. They are known for daydreaming, or wandering off, or deciding to do their own thing. They are now 8-9 years old, and some of them STILL do it. When dd1 was in year 6 last year, there were still some kids that the teacher always had close to her. Not always diagnosed SEN either.

Shift - I think you need to go back to the teacher and ask what practical measures will be put into place to ensure that the children stay together when they are moving round the school (at dismissal/on the way to gym class etc).

I am sure that your dd is not going to be the only easily distracted child this teacher will ever have to deal with, and she needs to have a set routine that minimises the risk of a child wandering off the wrong way/to the loo/to look for a book etc.

If the teacher can't or won't put sensible measures in place, then you need to go to the Headteacher - but hopefully this won't be necessary.

6yo is very young, the teacher should be far more attentive. At my DD's school everyone that age has to hold a friend's hand when they move around so the friend can also call out if a child becomes separated. I'd have a word with the teacher and if her response is not satisfactory talk with the Head.