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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this teacher is rubbish?

39 replies

Barcla · 05/04/2018 17:27

DS1 has profound dyslexia. He attends a small school, there are only ten kids in his class. Being dyslexic, English is a real struggle for him. He has been saying this last term how much he’s hating it and the teacher is “always on his case”. I emailed said teacher before half term asking in an upbeat way if she was able to give me a bit of a progress report when she has a second. Heard nothing back. Emailed again two weeks ago, apologising for bothering her, would there be any chance of a quick update? Got a one line reply saying there will be a report at the end of term. Fine. The report was emailed today for all subjects. Generally the report is ok and teachers wrote encouraging comments along with some constructive criticism and where improvements could be made etc, what you’d expect really. The English teacher has written “DS has been reluctant and negative this term, which is a shame, as his attitude affects his progress”, along with a C for effort and behaviour. That’s all she has to say! AIBU to think that this is less than helpful? No suggested strategies or any positives to work towards at all. AIBU to be pissed off?

OP posts:
hesterton · 05/04/2018 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/04/2018 17:32

Tbh I'd not have bothered with the second email I'd have gone into the school to arrange a meeting given she was so crap at responding .

But she doesn't sound good tbh the report is too late to have been told about any problems and given she had two opportunities to email you plus the knowledge you are an interested parent she should have made an effort to discuss it with you

Katchit · 05/04/2018 17:32

YANBU

The teacher gets a reluctant 'D' in my mind. He or she is bordeline average, veering on pathetic.

God and FFS, do we really have these types of wasters as teachers?

Original poster
Barcla · 05/04/2018 17:34

Yes, that's what I was hoping to do when I emailed before. I know she's busy but there aren't millions of kids. Yes it is, ironically one that claims to be specialist with "learning support" hence the small classes (also has TA in every class etc)

OP posts:
Thistlebelle · 05/04/2018 17:35

You need to go into school and meet with them regarding dyslexia provision in your area.

Specialist teaching sessions can make a huge difference.

This wonobe something the class teacher can deal with. You need expert help.

MonsteraDeliciosa · 05/04/2018 17:36

YANBU. Totally unacceptable to ignore your 1st email, brush off your 2nd, then completely disregard your DCs SN in the report. I presume she makes no allowance in class, either.
I would make appointment to see the head.

Original poster
Barcla · 05/04/2018 17:39

Thanks for the feedback. I don't want to be "that parent" and I hate being confrontational. It's the fact that his leaning difficulty seems to be down to his "attitude" that's rattled me most. But I don't suppose he is giving her an easy time either as he has become very good at avoiding situations because of his dyslexia.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 05/04/2018 17:40

Just because he has dyslexia doesn’t mean that his attitude isn’t affecting his progress though.

Original poster
Barcla · 05/04/2018 17:43

Pottering, you're absolutely right, which is why I was hoping to nip things in the bud. He has admitted he hates the subject.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 05/04/2018 17:44

I don’t think there’s an easy answer, sorry Flowers

GreenTulips · 05/04/2018 17:45

His attitude is down to his struggle to keep up and understand what is expected of him.

What steadies are in place?

Is her being taught touch typing?
Is he given a 'good example' to follow?

Is he allowed text to speech or a scribe?

For example

BareBum · 05/04/2018 17:47

Ask why they waited till report time if there was a problem. You could have nipped it in the bud if they had communicated with you.

Original poster
Barcla · 05/04/2018 17:53

Green - he's supposed to be having typing practise, access to reader scribe and i've been pushing for Dragon Speak but it's very difficult to gauge exactly when or if anything is happening with the lack of feedback. It is the frustrating lack of communication in my mind, but I wasn't sure of IABU in expecting more feedback to be honest

OP posts:
BossWitch · 05/04/2018 18:00

Sometimes small private schools are the worst places to be with SEN. They can be very traditional 'try hard and get on with it' environments with teachers who are not prepared to vary what they have delivered for the last 20 years for one "difficult" child.

I would start by demanding a meeting with the school (class teacher plus whoever is in charge of SEN, with it being such a small school I'm doubting there's a full time senco but there will be someone who has it on their job spec) and bring up all your concerns, including the poor communication when you have tried to raise concerns via email. Get an action plan agreed - specific actions, with dates for review. Get them to commit to another meeting as part of the action plan so you can discuss progress.

I would also start looking at other schools, including state. If this school aren't willing or able to adjust their provision to meet your son's needs, you'll need to find a school that can.

GreenTulips · 05/04/2018 18:05

You need

What his difficulties are - in writing
What interventions they will try (should be 6 weeks to see how he gets on - not all are suitable or engaging)
Times he gets these - Thursday with Mrs X
They have to 'prove' these are taking place
So Thursday Typing - covered J/F needs more practice
Tuesday English - poems scribed
Wednesday - phonics/reading with Mrs Y
Review date/ progress report

Ask to see this information

redcollargirl · 05/04/2018 18:09

How old is your son? What does he say is happening in the class regarding typing/reader/scribe. Does he have an IEP with an agreed usual way of working? Is so, what does this say? Why is English so much worse than other essay based subjects? What are his access arrangements in other subjects?

I am surprised about the brief comment, most schools have a policy on what has to be commmented on in the report and reports are usually proof read and agreed by someone in SLT.

Original poster
Barcla · 05/04/2018 18:11

Thanks so much. This is really helpful and your replies have given me a lot of confidence to be a bit more assertive! I've been very worried about being a nuisance and a needy parent. From what you're saying I should be getting a bit more feedback!!

OP posts:
InionEile · 05/04/2018 18:16

If she knew his attitude was affecting his progress all term and you specifically had asked about his progress recently then she should have told you that.

Not much point telling you now in such a passive way where you can no longer do anything about it. It would be a different story if you hadn’t asked for her feedback already but you did.

As the parent of a student with dyslexia, you should be getting additional input because he will face greater challenges and you know the subject was a challenge for him - which is why you asked for feedback!

BossWitch · 05/04/2018 18:17

reports are usually proof read and agreed by someone in SLT

Not in any school I've ever worked in! I've been in state and private.

ToriRay · 05/04/2018 18:21

reports are usually proof read and agreed by someone in SLT

I don't think this is standard practice! Certainly nowhere I've ever worked!

ToriRay · 05/04/2018 18:23

As pp have said, I would definitely make an appointment to discuss this further, with clarity around how his needs are being met. If English is a huge issue for him, they need to adapt his plan to meet that need. Hope things get sorted!

BossWitch · 05/04/2018 18:23

There's only one school I've worked in that's I'd have trusted the SLT to know how to spell and punctuate well enough to even try!

redcollargirl · 05/04/2018 18:24

*reports are usually proof read and agreed by someone in SLT

Not in any school I've ever worked in! I've been in state and private.*

It is in the schools I ‘ve worked -state and indie.

Thymeout · 05/04/2018 18:48

Actually, the head of section did check reports (and return for correction) in the state comp where I worked. We had endless arguments with her about split infinitives. She also returned reports that relied too much on course description to pad out the length - which was a good thing.

Bolokov · 05/04/2018 18:57

This teacher is prepared to be frank with you rather than fudging the issue. If your child has 'profound dyslexia' and hates the subject getting a C is pretty good going.