MNHQ have commented on this thread
AIBU?
To ask school staff whether they can share this info re a teacher?
thenasdo · 14/11/2019 18:38
Am hoping there's some posters on here who work in schools and could shed some light on what may be going on.
DD is in Year 10, she has had the same form teacher since she started Year 7. She has always liked said teacher, and teacher makes special effort to get to know each student and support them if they have anything going on. The past few months DD has had a few issues with a group, ostracizing and bullying her.
Said teacher has been a great support to DD, while pastoral care in the school have brushed her off. Pastoral care seems to think that by Year 10 DD should be coping herself and they are still caught up helping the new Year 7's adjust. DD has only been able to cope going into school becuase this teacher offers her a safe space to go to at lunchtimes and talks to her etc.
However since Monday last week the teacher hasn't been in. The form has had a string of subsitutes. Other staff are being shifty about the teacher's absense and there seems to be some deliberate secrecy. She still has her name up on the school's website so it doesn't look as though she's been sacked. I am quite concerned though as this teachher has been DD's only source of support within the school.
If I were to contact the school and ask why she hasn't been in, would I be likely to get an answer?
PinkPonyPalace · 14/11/2019 18:42
Most likely explanation if that the teacher is off sick, but regardless, the reason is absolutely none of your business. You would be out of order to ask, and school won’t tell you.
However, you do have a right to ask what support your DD will get in the teacher’s absence, even if you won’t like the answer.
TheCanterburyWhales · 14/11/2019 18:42
No, they won't tell you . They'll also think you're a bit over-invested to have extrapolated so much from an absence of a couple of days!
Maybe she's got flu. Maybe she had a miscarriage. Maybe compassionate leave
In the nicest possible way, not your business.
The only acceptable thing might be to say "oh, dd told me Ms. X has been off for a while, hope she's ok"
But you'd still look nosey tbh
MonChatEstMagnifique · 14/11/2019 18:49
Knowing the reason why this teacher is not in won't help your daughter. If your daughter needs support then the school should be giving it to her though so you would be right to phone and ask how she can access help. As far as I'm aware pastoral care is there for all year groups and should help your daughter if she is being bullied. I hope your daughter is ok, secondary schools are tough environments.
Aragog · 14/11/2019 18:52
I'm afraid you won't be told. The school can't share that kind of information with you, without the teacher's consent - and they just aren't going to ask the teacher for that. The other teacher's aren't conspiring against you. They just can't say. Its not their place to do so and they could be in trouble if they do.
Why would you think she'd been sacked after less than a fortnight's absence???
Most people would assume she was ill, surely? Could be many reasons - illness, recovering from an operation, bereavement, miscarriage, personal family issues, etc - none of which are for you to know.
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