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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To insist my son has a chaperone when visiting the headteacher?

232 replies

exasperated101 · 04/05/2018 07:27

My son is a "difficult" child. We're awaiting ADHD diagnosis at the moment but it's a slow process. He's in year 6, and this week climbed a fence and ran away from school in the middle of the day (to his childminder's) as there had been an incident at school, for which he felt he had been unfairly punished.

He puts on a huge bravado front but is actually extremely sensitive, cries a lot etc. One of his big problems is an extremely strong sense of what is right and wrong. If he feels he's been wronged or unfairly treated (which is often not the case) his behaviour deteriorates hugely and he can be horrible.

When DS ran away this week, his headteacher let himself into our home. My DP was here but we don't think the headteacher knew that, he'd entered our home looking for my missing DS (school still hadn't called me at that point). DS is scared of the headteacher, and the head has admitted to me that my son's attitude / disrespect makes him feel defensive and he feels his blood pressure rising when around him. DS swears that the headteacher terrifies him and shouts at him when they're alone, but his attitude towards head is cheeky and disrespectful. That's just how my DS presents when he feels threatened/scared. He doesn't cower, cry, go quiet like other children. He becomes defensive and rude. The meltdown comes later.

In light of the above, I've asked to be present when DS is alone with the head, for everyone's sakes. The head has refused. He says I'm missing the point which is my son's bad behaviour (I'm not defending son's behaviour, just want to be there).

AIBU to want someone to supervise these meetings?

OP posts:
PsychedelicSheep · 04/05/2018 07:30

He let himself into your home?! Shock what did your DP do/say?

What the absolute fuck? No YANBU to ask for a chaperone, sounds as though it would make these meetings less emotionally charged and more productive.

resetEntries · 04/05/2018 07:31

I'm confused about him coming to your home but that seems to be a different matter.

Yes you're unreasonable to demand to be there when the Head speaks to your son. They are in charge of him while he's at school.

BrownTurkey · 04/05/2018 07:31

Go to the govenors, I think you are right to raise the issue. The safeguarding aspect makes it tricky - staff needing to ensure he is safe, but not going on their own. You might find they then say, reasonably, that they can’t adequately safeguard him in school under those conditions. If you are not satisfied with their response, maybe raise it with the LADO local authority designated officer.

ltk · 04/05/2018 07:31

Wait. Wait. The head let himself into your home?? How?

yoyo1234 · 04/05/2018 07:35

Wow he let himself into your home. Probably your son's safe place. I do not think you are being unreasonable for a chaperone AngryCake. The cake is for your son .

NotARegularPenguin · 04/05/2018 07:37

I don't think you can ask to be present. What if ds is sent to see the head in the middle of the day unexpectedly for bad behaviour? Head can't wait for you to turn up.

Am shocked he let himself in though.

Could you ask for a TA to accompany him if need be and explain why - that your DS is terrified of him?

DiplomaticDecorum · 04/05/2018 07:40

YANBU to want a chaperone
YABU to want it to be you

MrsFantastic · 04/05/2018 07:43

Does the headteacher have a key to your house or did you leave the door open? It's reasonable that the Head was looking for your runaway child. Would you prefer him to not be bothered?

Roaring20s · 04/05/2018 07:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TenGinBottles · 04/05/2018 07:44

I think that's a good idea actually under the circumstances. I think you're also entitled to have some questions answered.
Why didn't they call you or your DH as soon as they knew he was missing?
Why didn't he ring the doorbell?
Why did he let himself into your home?

Why is the head refusing to have a witness present? That, to me, would lend credence to your son's version of events. In my experience, as soon as there is conflict then the school cover their backs e.g. I was no longer allowed to meet with DS's form teacher unless another member of staff was present.

What are they going to put in place for him? They need to come up with an alternative to running from school - a corner of the library or playground he can take himself off to. And your DS also needs to be taught that he cannot just run away if he doesn't agree with something. You need to work with the school to give him tools to solve this.

zzzzz · 04/05/2018 07:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Callamia · 04/05/2018 07:47

I think the Head would be wise to ask for a third person there too. He clearly can’t cope with your son. As soon as a child leaves school property, they should really involve the police. They should definitely involve you.

All of this suggests that the school have lost control of the situation. The punishments aren’t working - they’re making things worse for everyone (punishing a child with ADHD, without looking to support, is pretty pointless anyway), and there needs to be a fresh look at how they manage your son’s needs and behaviour. Can you ask for an EP to consult on this?

greathat · 04/05/2018 07:49

Were you made aware he'd run away?

my2bundles · 04/05/2018 07:49

He let himself into your home, call the police.

ourkidmolly · 04/05/2018 07:49

Well surely he was frantic looking for your son? Was the front door wide open? Were the police called? This is a huge safeguarding concern. The fact that he escaped from school is most worrying. You've provided half a story here. What I can say is that your son is going to have massive problems at secondary if this is the pattern of behaviour at primary. If a school can't keep him safe, then they'll be looking for reasons to exclude. You're focusing on the headteacher when your entire focus needs to be on your son. The head will be behind him soon but he'll be left with these behaviour problems.

MrsMozart · 04/05/2018 07:49

What the heck did your DH say?!

I think that if the head has issues with your son then a chaperone is a good idea for all concerned.

PaintedHorizons · 04/05/2018 07:52

How did the HT get into your house? Have you given him a key?

Your son is the problem here - not blaming him - but he needs more support than he is getting.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2018 07:53

It's reasonable that the Head was looking for your runaway child. Would you prefer him to not be bothered?

He should have called the OP or her DP, not gone around the neighbourhood letting himself into their house without permission.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2018 07:54

Well surely he was frantic looking for your son?

But not so frantic he called the boy’s parents.

bevelino · 04/05/2018 07:54

OP, do you mean the head teacher knocked on your door and was let in by your dh? Otherwise how could he just let himself in?

TenGinBottles · 04/05/2018 07:54

I'd assume that as the DH was home, the door was closed but unlocked. Head tried the door and it opened so let himself in without ringing the bell.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2018 07:55

Not every door is locked when closed - I learnt that from MN!

calzone · 04/05/2018 07:55

I’ve never heard anything like it!!!

I honestly think this is a sackable offence and the HT sounds horrible and intimidating.

MyOtherProfile · 04/05/2018 07:56

Could you just insist someone goes with him rather than it being you? In the head's shoes in this situation I'd want a 3rd person there after being found in your home.

MsJolly · 04/05/2018 07:57

The HT is seriously in the wrong here for all sorts of safe guarding reasons. Your first port of call is the Chair of Governors-ask for a phone call today at the latest.

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