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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Was the

238 replies

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 16:48

AIBU to be upset that my daughters teacher took off 5 marks from her exam total because she doodled on the back of the paper while waiting to be allowed to leave the exam. She would have got 96% without the deduction. See attached the offending doodle. Teachers comment was "minus 5 marks for graffiti at the back. I have told you many times its not on."

Was the
OP posts:
Squeakydoorhinge · 06/07/2023 17:26

Thread not going as expected OP?

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/07/2023 17:42

Oh dear not good.

SleeplessinScarbourough · 06/07/2023 17:42

I would be more concerned that your DD had enough time to think up and draw out this doodle while “waiting to be let out of exam” - your DD needs to practice making the most of every minute of the exams

MythosK · 06/07/2023 17:45

Was she allowed to bring the exam paper home then?

Original poster
WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

OP posts:
INeedAnotherName · 06/07/2023 17:59

I have told you many times its not on.

So.. what punishment have you decided to give your child for being wilfully disobedient at school?

CoffeeCantata · 06/07/2023 17:59

On the face of it is seems doubly disrespectful behaviour. Firstly, what is she thinking 'doodling' on something as important as an exam paper? She risks seeming insolent and/or immature.

Secondly, she's been told at least once NOT to do so. So she's ignored or even defied the teacher on this.

I think she should suck up the mark deduction and place the blame firmly on herself.

Original poster
WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 18:00

Yes, exam paper was returned after the teacher marked it.

OP posts:
WonderfulUsername · 06/07/2023 18:02

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

What do you mean 'obviously' biased?

I genuinely can't think of a single parent I know who wouldn't have said to their child, "Well that serves you right. It's not like you weren't told before".

PeachesOnTheBeaches · 06/07/2023 18:03

YABU. She has been warned many times. Why shouldn’t she face the consequences of her actions?

Gazelda · 06/07/2023 18:07

You say you're upset by this. Is your DD upset? Does she regret doodling? Has she said she'll never doodle on an exam paper again?

Stripeysocks00 · 06/07/2023 18:08

The teacher was right to drop marks for this. You can’t draw on real exam papers and this is getting her ready for it!

Aquamarine1029 · 06/07/2023 18:09

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 17:58

No, I am an open minded person. And wanted honest opinions as I'm obviously biased.

What is there to be biased about? Your child disobeyed the teacher, end of. You must be one of those parents that think their little princess can do no wrong.

AmbleInAnnBoleyn · 06/07/2023 18:12

Your child was rebuked for oikishness.

What will you do? Support teacher or encourage further oikish behaviour? Shall we open a book, peeps?

VisionsOfSplendour · 06/07/2023 18:13

I'm surprised you need strangers to tell you that it's not unreasonable for a child to be punished for doing what theyd repeatedly been told not to

How is it not obvious?

Original poster
WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 18:13

Because in this day and age where kids get up to all sorts this hardly seems like the worse crime to do. She clearly has worked hard to get a good result and shouldn't be punished for being arty.

OP posts:
PuddlesPityParty · 06/07/2023 18:14

Thing is for official exams they will have consequences for doodling so best to get out of the habit and learn not to do it.

Mummy08m · 06/07/2023 18:16

Why is it so important what mark she "got"? You said she would have got 96% without the deduction. So, she clearly understands whatever topic the test was about. That's the point of the test, to assess that. Job done. She's upset about the "punishment" for the doodling. So she won't doodle again. Job done, again. The teacher is doing a sterling job, both teaching her his subject and disciplining her. He deserves to be thanked

PeachesOnTheBeaches · 06/07/2023 18:16

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 18:13

Because in this day and age where kids get up to all sorts this hardly seems like the worse crime to do. She clearly has worked hard to get a good result and shouldn't be punished for being arty.

That’s a low bar to set.

Softoprider · 06/07/2023 18:17

Oh OP. She was not being arty at all ! You just have to look at it from outside of the fishbowl. It was an exam and she showed disrespect which has probably happened more than once before for the teacher to deduct marks

ThickSkinnedSoWhat · 06/07/2023 18:18

WantToBeAMamma · 06/07/2023 18:13

Because in this day and age where kids get up to all sorts this hardly seems like the worse crime to do. She clearly has worked hard to get a good result and shouldn't be punished for being arty.

Not listening to previous requests by a teacher isn't the worse (think you meant worst by the way) crime to do? Shouldn't be punished for being arty? Are you one of these parents who doesn't believe in discipline and let's their kids away with everything?

itsmylife7 · 06/07/2023 18:18

If this was the first time your child had done this, then it would be unreasonable.
The fact she's been warned before about doing this, the teacher felt she needed a consequence to her actions.
I'd be pissed off at my child for this.

Orchidgal · 06/07/2023 18:18

She was not being punished for being arty, she was punished for drawing graffiti on her work.

By all means be arty, but not on exam papers!

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 06/07/2023 18:21

Mind you, I wouldn't be happy if the teacher actually really wrote "its not on".

MaggieBsBoat · 06/07/2023 18:22

It’s not being arty.
it’s being undisciplined.
There should’ve been scrap paper there but nevertheless proper use of exams would be failed automatically with graffiti on them.
Tell her so.