To be concerned about secondary school teacher conduct

[Andformynexttrick]

Late to MN & first post- please be gentle. . . Y10 DD has mentioned a few times previously in passing that her male middle aged teacher is a bit creepy. He has been her drama/music teacher since Y7. Today we spoke at length and I heard myself suggesting that she try to avoid reacting to his comments to avoid drawing him any more. Then realised it’s surely wrong for a child to need to do that to avoid feeling uncomfortable in class/after school club. He doesn’t target her specifically - many of the girls are on the receiving end. Comments on appearance (nice eyeliner today/you’ve got a hole in your tights), or demeanour (‘moody teenager’), or engaging in conversations she feels are none of his business (which is your favourite friend/parent). Also loads of merit marks, come to think of it.
None of this is overt and probably is just his manner . . . but he is apparently widely referred to as ‘p*o Name’ by the students.
More concerning is that he apparently locks the classroom for 1-1 student meetings (happened to her once) requiring child to have to ask to be let out (key code). Feel like I want to go to school with this but not sure (can of worms)???

I work in primary and would never close the door if I was alone with one pupil. All our doors have windows too.

I think the comments are creepy too but then I believe teachers should avoid personal comments like this in general. I might comment on a new haircut or coat to be friendly but it's better to keep things professional and comment positively on work, attitudes and behaviour only instead.. I notice though, having had 2 DC go though secondary school, that secondary teachers are more likely to make personal comments so maybe that's ok if it helps with relationships - but not if the students feel uneasy, as in your dd's case.

You absolutely should inform the head. This guy could be grooming students. Just because teachers need to be DBS checked doesn't mean they are not child abusers, just that they haven't been caught.

Does your child know who the safegaurding lead in school is. There should be signs up all over school stating who the safegaurding team are. Contact them directly.

Also it's concerning as the locked door is restrictive practice if she can't open it herself. Ask for the schools policy on restrictive practice, I work in a special needs school so some restrictive practice if needed but we have to have a rationale as to why a door is locked for a pupil.

Update - I emailed over the weekend and DD pulled out of class this am to make a statement. Head contacting county re next steps. Feel reassured to have raised it.

I had a teacher who made comments like that. He was later jailed for the images on his computer.