To think this headteacher was wrong

[ellielong]

story

Surely whatever the parent posted in her Facebook was her own private business?

Can’t help but think that nobody comes out of this is a good light. The homework set is embarrassingly sloppy, the parent could have raised this in a more appropriate manner, and the head looks like an utter tit even daring to mention defamation and data protection for no apparent reason.

We had a spelling test sent home once with a basic spelling error in a word. Not great, but a discreet word was had and the poor teacher was mortified.

The head should have phoned and asked the parent to come in for a word, explained that they accepted the homework didn’t portray the school in the best light and had caused embarrassment, reassured the parent that more care would be taken in future, and asked the parent to remove the post and deal directly with the head in future.

We had a spelling test sent home once with a basic spelling error in a word. Not great, but a discreet word was had and the poor teacher was mortified.

Isn't this sad? A minuscule mistake results in mortification? Really? I would correct it, but I wouldn't be embarrassed. Mistakes happen.

Why shouldn’t she post it on Facebook? Other parents / potential parents should be made aware of them being so utterly crap. Defamatory? Give me a break.

Well the headteacher has embarrassed the school further in my opinion by saying that someone reporting something accurately that he agrees happened is defamation!
If the head has no grasp of the English language can you really expect any better from other staff?
I probably wouldn’t have put it on Facebook myself but this isn’t like a parent slagging off the school and posting their opinion. This homework was set and it was shit - that’s not up for debate.
Certainly embarrassing for the school that the parent made it public but it’s not defamatory if it’s true!

BumsexAtTheBingo

Do we know what the parent posted alongside the image?

This yes she was very embarrassed. Apparently it wasn’t a typo, she thought that that was the correct spelling. Anyway, the class rep had a word and it was sorted. I’d have been really embarrassed too to be honest.

Sorry, but anything posted on social media isn't private, you're basically publishing it online.

According to The Telegraph the caption said “For literacy homework, the mistakes are shocking”. I’d love to see the school argue in a court that it was a false statement when the homework, which is riddled with errors, would be evidence!
It seems from the story that the parent went to the press after being threatened by the head.
He’s managed to make an embarrassing incident even more embarrassing for the school imo. A contrite apology and reassurance to the parent plus ‘would you mind taking the post down as it’s quite embarrassing for the teacher’ would likely have made the situation disappear.

ladydickisathingapparently

I still wouldn't be "mortified". Nearly everyone I know makes spelling mistakes. It's an error. She didn't shit herself in the lesson.

Ok This your response is noted. She clearly was though, so I’m not really sure of where you’re going with this!

She didn't have to post on Facebook...but she can if she chooses.

It doesn't need to be private, it isn't defamation (its clearly true) and no privacy has been threatened (privacy relates to individuals, the crossword doesn't not have privacy rights, nor does the school - but that is irrelevant if the school wasn't named).

The head is embarrassed and defensive and frankly not handling this well

Why shouldn’t she post it on Facebook? Other parents / potential parents should be made aware of them being so utterly crap

Because the only way to resolve it is to bring it to the schools attention. A bunch of parents saying 'omg that school is so shit' isn't exactly pro active in resolution is it?

the crossword does not*

Schoold should focus on quality of homework which will reduce/avoid this in future.

HT needs to understand what defamation is and when it is appropriate to threaten/use.

Mum could have taken it up with the school but really its that poor that a good public shaming on facebook is bound to have a better and quicker outcome than discussions with people who should know better. To be clear its not about a typo or two slipping through.

ladydickisathingapparently

I wasn't going anywhere. I just think it's sad and unnecessary that teachers are under that level of pressure that a spelling error is enough to cause them to collapse in shame. It's a symptom.

BumsexAtTheBingo

If that is all she wrote. That sounds like a sentence in a longer rant to me, though.

Personally, I would say it is too hard for Yr3/4. The crossword does misuse several of these words.

Possibly but the head makes no reference to defamation or any inappropriate comments in his statement which he surely would have done. Seems like that was just said to scare the parent and ended up having the opposite effect than he intended.

I just received my monthly book box for my toddler. It comes with a newsletter. The newsletter is aimed at 3-13 year olds, although it is probably written by adults. Everywhere you look, comma splices.

Who thinks I should get on Facebook and start bashing their brand?

I think the mother is right, they are providing a service which is sub standard.
We should all name and shame a little more if it raises standards.

a good public shaming
Seriously do some of you never reflect on what you have become.

He also doesn’t deny the conversation the parent said took place.

They wonder why people choose private education.
Unfortunately, this is the standard that our children learned to expect when they were at school.
You get what you pay for, or not.

BumsexAtTheBingo

Probably. I still think the parent is a twat for posting it on FB. A word with the teacher, surely, would have helped more than this mess?

Wow! Ive just looked up the original post on Facebook. That homework is... well, just awful. I’m shocked that someone who thinks that’s an acceptable homework to issue to children is in a teaching position.