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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Don’t know what to do about TA and her behaviour

175 replies

RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:02

I work in a primary school in a lowly position. On two separate occasions I have seen a TA manhandle children in Year one, so children of five or six. She pulled one child off the ground by his wrist because he pushed into the queue and another child she pulled back by the hood of her coat when she turned away while the TA was telling her off.
Should I take this further?

OP posts:
leccybill · 02/02/2018 22:04

Yes, absolutely. Please tell the Headteacher first thing Monday.
What you describe sounds completely unacceptable.

PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:04

Yes, you need to talk to someone in a position of authority, either the head or the person who manages the TAs.

Snowysky20009 · 02/02/2018 22:04

Yes, it should have been reported to the head immediately though.

Beeziekn33ze · 02/02/2018 22:04

Yes, as leccybill says

T1M2N3T4 · 02/02/2018 22:08

Write it all down in detail snd give it to the head when you tell them. Keep a copy for yourself to refresh your memory for the future (in case it happens again or you're not satisfied with the action taken and you need to.go higher)

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:10

Thank you. I am not popular among the TAs, or indeed the teachers as we do not see eye to eye. Is it something she could potentially lose her job over?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:15

What sort of things are you falling out with them over?

Whatever’s gone on before, you need to report this.

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:19

Their attitude towards the children.

OP posts:
Redwineistasty · 02/02/2018 22:20

Erm, so she should lose her job

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:22

She really doesn’t like me.

OP posts:
happy2bhomely · 02/02/2018 22:22

You should report it.

I have reported similar but as a parent. I witnessed it along with another parent. I didn't want her sacked or anything but did suggest that she needed to be told that it was not acceptable.

The letter I got back from the head said that he refused to believe the incident happened and he would back his staff every time. He said she was experienced and had received training and he wouldn't take it any further.

The staff closed ranks. Another teacher said she was there when she wasn't and that the incident didn't happen.

I never sent my dc back to the school.

PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:24

It shouldn’t matter whether she likes you or not.

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:25

I have fallen out with this TA because she rings the bell too early, so the children miss 5 to 10 mins of lunchtime, and while queuing and waiting to go into class they are bored and start being a bit unruly.
I have spoken to the headteacher about this.

OP posts:
Calvinlookingforhobbs · 02/02/2018 22:25

Do you really need to ask? Part of your role, lowly or not, is to ensure the safety of CHILDREN. These little people reply on adults to DO THE RIGHT thing. This is your responsibility. You have witnessed abuse and you need to act. Bad things happen when good people do nothing.

PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:27

I don’t see how that’s relevant to the situation in the slightest.

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:28

That doesn’t surprise me Happy.
I agree Purple, she can fill her boots with her dislike, but it somehow makes it harder.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:29

Posted too soon. You’ve brought up that you’ve fallen out with them before, but whatever’s happened you’ve witnessed what you say is a Ta being rough with a child. There’s no justification for letting that go without reporting.

Deshasafraisy · 02/02/2018 22:29

Definitely report her.

PurpleDaisies · 02/02/2018 22:29

I don’t get why it makes anything harder. If you liked her, surely it would be worse to have to report a friend.

ReanimatedSGB · 02/02/2018 22:30

Do you think there is a 'culture' of unkindness towards children in the school, that the HT is either ignoring or accepting? If you don't get anywhere reporting to the HT, go to the governors, and if the governors are no help, go to the LA. Sounds like the school needs an Ofsted safeguarding audit...

Wildflowerfloosy · 02/02/2018 22:31

Without a doubt you must report. This is a safeguarding matter.
Report and document carefully.
Good luck

Original poster
RickOShay · 02/02/2018 22:31

I often email the headteacher, who is actually ok, the deputy hates me though, which makes it difficult.

OP posts:
AskBasil · 02/02/2018 22:32

"The letter I got back from the head said that he refused to believe the incident happened and he would back his staff every time. "

I hope you've still got the letter.

Send it to OFSTED.

Any HT who would back his staff every time, is not fit to be in charge of children.

NewYearNewMe18 · 02/02/2018 22:32

It isn't the HT yo go to, it is the appointed safeguarding officer, who is probably the deputy head.

Plantlover · 02/02/2018 22:33

Happy to be homely

I have had similar experiences with a school. How did you cope/deal with it?