To raise this with headteacher?

[primaryworries]

DS(4) has started in reception and seems happy. Part of me thinks that’s the main thing.

His teacher is an NQT. Her literacy levels are to be blunt here probably the poorest I’ve come across in an adult. We’ve had “defanately” “alot” “were/where” “redding” and “lissening skills”.

I don’t want to be that parent but I can’t pretend I’m not concerned.

Where have you seen this writing?

I would raise it definitely!
She can't improve if it isn't brought to her attention

Oh I would definitely raise this. Although she may well be dyslexic.

@TheSeedsOfADream

Where have you seen this writing?

Correspondence sent home, why?

I would. I'd never normally jump to the head but in primary I wouldn't know who her mentor or line manager would be or I'd contact them (I teach secondary). My line manager at one point was dyslexic but she was meticulous about proof reading, using spell check, asking other colleagues to check her spelling. Your DD's teacher might not be dyslexic but wanted to give that as an example to show that there are ways to ensure that spelling is correct - and it's so important for the kids to see correct spellings! Its probably something that her mentor/line manager has already picked up on and I'd ask about what can be put in place to support her and set the best example for her students.

It could be pure laziness and not checking her typing. Yes I would raise it politely with principle

Is it the NQT corresponding with you, not a TA for example?

I’ve never questioned the competence of my DDs’ teachers before, but I would flag this up, as it is very poor spelling on the part of this teacher. And with all the spell checks available, it’s also very lazy.

@ineedaholidaynow

Is it the NQT corresponding with you, not a TA for example?

Yes, it’s the NQT!

I would raise it with the teacher in the first instance, going straight to the head seems very extreme if no other avenues have been explored.

We have a line manager, head of department, head of year, assistant head, deputy head and then head... the head will only be informed if a kid bring a knife in to school or something of equal proportion, not about a teacher’s spelling.

It needs raising, yes. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already noticed it. You'd certainly hope so.

Yes I would mention it, I’m not surprised though, I know two people that became primary teachers who were really not very bright at all. One of them had very poor spelling and grammar. I was shocked that she could be teaching kids how to read and write. The other one couldn’t do basic maths so I’m not sure how she could teach it. I thought teachers had to pass standard tests.

Dyslexia doesnt explain this. My job share is dyslexic - there are software packages to help with spelling or you get a colleague to check.

@OverTheRainbow88

I would raise it with the teacher in the first instance, going straight to the head seems very extreme if no other avenues have been explored.

We have a line manager, head of department, head of year, assistant head, deputy head and then head... the head will only be informed if a kid bring a knife in to school or something of equal proportion, not about a teacher’s spelling.

Yes but this is primary. I’m reluctant to raise directly with the teacher.

It does need to be addressed. Not necessarily with the head though depending on the school set up head of key stage may be more appropriate. God knows how they passed their skills tests. I'm assuming that's still a thing?

It might just be shes dyslexic and needs to spell check or wrote it too quickly. Probably fine with teaching four year olds basic words. What she like otherwise?

This is one scenario where actually I wouldn't directly raise it with the teacher and I say that as a teacher myself.

I'd raise it with the head of early years/head teacher - this is a management issue.

An NQT still needs support and she clearly isn't getting enough.

@OverTheRainbow88

I would raise it with the teacher in the first instance, going straight to the head seems very extreme if no other avenues have been explored.

We have a line manager, head of department, head of year, assistant head, deputy head and then head... the head will only be informed if a kid bring a knife in to school or something of equal proportion, not about a teacher’s spelling.

The head is precisely the right person to contact regarding this issue.

Oh I would definitely raise this. Although she may well be dyslexic.

I'm dyslexic. I'm a teacher.

I use spell checks and another piece of software that looks for homonyms, things like this should not get further than the teacher's laptop.

On my PGCE I used to cringe whenever one of the other students spoke, she was incapable of standard English, it was all, "When we was..." I used to think, "will she ever get a job?"

That’s terrible for a teacher. I’d definitely say something. Trouble is they’re so desperate for teachers, the standard required to access training has really slipped.

@ineedaholidaynow

Is it the NQT corresponding with you, not a TA for example?

Even it was the TA, I would still contact the school. TAs need to have appropriate literacy and numeracy skills too.

If it is a large Primary with more than one form entry there might be a teacher who is in charge of the year, so you could contact them. If not then probably the HT

I would be raising this with the head. The examples that you have given here are pretty basic spelling and grammar. If a teacher can't spell properly then they need to take measures to check. There is no excuse for a teacher to be sending communication like that home.
I would be unhappy that this person was teaching my child.

That would really worry me!! I would def raise it with someone above her - she is teaching your child fgs!!!