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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Email from school that I probably wasn't supposed to see - f**king livid!

671 replies

FidgetyFingers · 15/08/2018 20:18

I requested a copy of DS2's (secondary) school record when he left there a few months ago. He has quite severe SN, NHS paediatrician diagnosed with his assessments taking place at this school.

Enclosed in the paperwork was an email from his form tutor, his form tutor for 4 years, to the inclusion manager, stating that I had been on the phone to her as I was very unhappy about detentions 'again' for minor transgressions in the scheme of things and 'that I expected special treatment for my son due to his 'SN'.

DS has severe learning difficulties with several other co morbid difficulties and never should have been in mainstream school anyway but there was no choice as I couldn't get him an EHCP.

I am so fucking angry as this proves they never took his SN seriously at all which they proved in the way they treated him!

I also found a copy of an email from said inclusion manager to all his teachers outlining DS's behaviour plan and stating that if he failed to get enough points, he would be excluded.

Same woman sat across from me in a meeting with the Board of Governors insisting that I must have been mistaken when I said that she'd told me this on the phone.

I am absolutely disgusted that such people exist and are in authority of vulnerable children Angry.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 15/08/2018 20:19
Sad

What do you want to do?

NewYearNewMe18 · 15/08/2018 20:23

Names should have been redacted. The school has breached its own staff confidentiality and data protection.

1sttimeDD · 15/08/2018 20:24

Under the new GDPR regulations, whenever an information request is made, schools are obliged to provide any and ALL documentation where the child/family is mentioned - including emails and correspondence between teachers. Schools have recently had in depth training on the subject and will have had no choice but to share emails you "weren't meant to see"

They are professionals but are still only human. Comments will have no doubt have been made where the teachers felt they were in a safe space - their email inbox - but GDPR has now taken away that arena of "free speech".

A difficult situation for all parties I would imagine.

hatgirl · 15/08/2018 20:25

You aren't unreasonable to be upset.

He's no longer there though.

I have to ask though what the purpose of requesting his records was? If it was mainly to prove your suspicions that they managed his needs badly then it has served its purpose. If it was for another reason then it's time to use the info as planned, regroup and move on.

bringbacksideburns · 15/08/2018 20:27

Why couldn't he get an EHCP if his SN was so severe?

Hedgehog80 · 15/08/2018 20:30

Oh yes the GDPR and subject access requests
Our ones were SPECTACULAR. Who knew I had FII and was suspected of making up allergies for fun and attention and lying about treatment needed for type 1 diabetes
I got everything and I was furious. It’s being dealt with though and each and every person responsible will pay for it

idonthaveatattoo · 15/08/2018 20:32

That’s shit of them, OP. I’m sorry.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 15/08/2018 20:34

I’m sorry OP Sad Glad for you and your son that he is no longer there. x

Pengggwn · 15/08/2018 20:35

Did the teacher say you expected special treatment because of his 'SN' or because of his SN?

I wouldn't be particularly worried as the teacher about you seeing an email if it said the latter. It is just an opinion.

Hedgehog80 · 15/08/2018 20:36

We put ours in order from 3 different places it’s both hilarious and terrifying to see the bitchy nasty emails back and forth from so called professionals. One starts it and the rest decide they love a bit of gossip so all jump in with their speculation. We are in the legal process now regarding it all. Been a real opener
Sorry you’ve experienced this OP. Sadly there are lot of unprofessionals out there

TittyGolightly · 15/08/2018 20:37

Under the new GDPR regulations, whenever an information request is made, schools are obliged to provide any and ALL documentation where the child/family is mentioned - including emails and correspondence between teachers. Schools have recently had in depth training on the subject and will have had no choice but to share emails you "weren't meant to see"

That was the case under the previous Data Protection regulations as well

IceCreamFace · 15/08/2018 20:38

Bloody hell that's awful. SN training for teachers is often non-existent or completely inadequate. Having a teacher who understands and can handle SN is luck of the draw. Many think you can punish away the problem.

Original poster
FidgetyFingers · 15/08/2018 20:40

The school were not supplying the LEA with the information they requested for him to get one sideburns. It took 3 years.

I saw his tutor a few weeks ago. She's lucky I hadn't come across that email then.

OP posts:
Marriedwithchildren5 · 15/08/2018 20:40

To be fair. A child with SEN actually needs to "fail" in mainstream before they are offered help and support. Be cross though. He's your child. I'd be fuming!

hatgirl · 15/08/2018 20:40

Out of interest hedgehog what's the outcome you are hoping for from legal proceedings?

Not in any way suggesting your treatment hasn't been shocking, just genuinely interested on what basis you think you may have legal recourse from (I'm assuming) public bodies?

RainbowGlitterFairy · 15/08/2018 20:40

I would be furious too OP. I am glad he has left and that he's not affected by that attitude anymore but I would flag it up to the headteacher because someone needs to have a chat with the inclusion manager and the form tutor, he's unlikely to be the only child whose SN they aren't taking seriously.

@bringbacksideburns sadly there are a lot of children who are waiting on EHCP's that really shouldn't be in mainstream.

MissContrary · 15/08/2018 20:43

It's not a data breach for parents to know a teachers name.

Because LAs constantly refuse to assess or issue despite the fact doing so is often unlawful bringbacksideburns

Perhaps you should thank them for the records and FYI them this. Just so they know....

specialneedsjungle.com/against-human-rights-landmark-ruling-against-school-exclusion-for-behaviour-related-to-autism/

Clairetree1 · 15/08/2018 20:43

what is it specifically that you don't think they should have said? someone said you expected your DC to get special treatment because of their SN, but you have repeated that here, so you can't dispute it. Someone else said that if they didn't reach a certain standard of behaviour they would be excluded, standard for every child in the country- what is your issue with that?

personally, I can't see what you are complaining about. You clearly disagreed with staff, but so what? Having a different opinion to you doesn't make them unprofessional.

Ohyesiam · 15/08/2018 20:47

I think the second point( woman lieing in meeting) is more valid.
The tutor is , I think, saying that your son has to conform to the behaviour policy despite sp needs. The “ again “ must be irritating though.

Hedgehog80 · 15/08/2018 20:48

We want our complaints investigated for a start as all involved except one agency have refused to go through their official complaints procedure so we are having to get a solicitor to sort that out and will see what response we get. Tbh though I really want to make a huge example of these people. It’s not good enough to accuse parents of such awful things based on gossip for the purpose it seems to avoid having to fund additional care needed by discrediting parents

Clairetree1 · 15/08/2018 20:49

specialneedsjungle.com/against-human-rights-landmark-ruling-against-school-exclusion-for-behaviour-related-to-autism/

I wouldn't flag this up too much, if I were you, the implications of this, if the judgement stands, are pretty horrific.

Basically, it says that autistic people cannot be expected to control their violence. The implications are teachers will not be expected to teach them because they cannot do safely, they will not be in classrooms with other children because it will be a safe guarding issue for other children, and ultimately they will be required to live out their adult lives in secure accommodation because they are dangerous.

This judgement has been met with equal measures of incredulity and hilarity from educational professionals. It is total nonsense, and is unlikely to stand.

Of course, on the off chance it does stand, the consequences will be far from funny

AnoukSpirit · 15/08/2018 20:49

Accommodating a disability isn't "special" treatment.

Hedgehog80 · 15/08/2018 20:50

Unfortunately it’s getting all to common
Child with sn or medical issues
Parent seeks out help/support/treatment and is then discredited dependant on funding or in our case personal grievance I mean in one email it was stated that we had parenting issues as turned up with coffee most mornings and later than everyone else (it was an agreed later start time due to medical reasons) just really bitchy stuff

ASimpleLampoon · 15/08/2018 20:50

I am so glad that this ruling has been made, reading that, OP

www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/school-exclusions-special-educational-needs-children-autism-behaviour-upper-tribunal-a8491626.html

My DS is now in a special school, but his mainstream was thankully very supportive. (mainly because they like parents who WANT to move their kids to special school, but still.....)

Marriedwithchildren5 · 15/08/2018 20:51

Having a different opinion to you doesn't make them unprofessional

In a work related email it does. I'm in a similar line of work. Opinions should always be supported by fact. Otherwise you're just using your position to influence outcomes.

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