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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask DS' new teacher to spell his name correctly?

61 replies

Jorvik1978 · 07/09/2023 20:10

Pretty much as the title. DS' new teacher (Y3) is spelling his name incorrectly. He says it's on everything. It's certainly incorrect on his reading record.

On the one hand, it feels petty, but on the other, it's just a common courtesy to get it right....

OP posts:
Jwhb · 07/09/2023 20:11

It's a mistake. Have a quick word and I'm sure it'll be sorted.

WhisperingHi · 07/09/2023 20:12

"I'm sorry to be a pain but son says his name is spelt wrong on a few bits. Would you mind amending this?"

Don't feel bad. It would be the same with anyone else's work, accuracy is required in most professions. As long as you raise it nicely.

Crunchymum · 07/09/2023 20:13

Why wouldn't you? I'd maybe write a quick note and stick it on whatever work book is going back first.

Sending a note isn't to be pass-agg, it's just going to be a busy week and the teacher is still learning the kids names so putting it in writing will make it easier for them to make the correction.

SunnySomer · 07/09/2023 20:13

Perfectly reasonable request. They won’t have done it deliberately, but if you copy it down wrong the first time, then you’re likely to get it wrong on every book.
(I have done this, though in my case it was spellcheck that “corrected” my labels before I printed them).

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/09/2023 20:14

As a teacher I would want to know I am spelling a child's name properly. The sooner you tell them the better.

Desperatehousewivesreruns · 07/09/2023 20:15

Of course his name should be spelled correctly. You don't need to apologise about it, just politely ask them to correct it.

Original poster
Jorvik1978 · 07/09/2023 20:15

I will raise it politely - far more likely to get a positive result and not get labelled as THAT parent.

If it was wrong on just one thing I'd put it down to a simple mistake and write it off,but it's a systematic mistake if it's being repeated so I'd like it corrected.

OP posts:
Thisweeksname · 07/09/2023 20:16

Is it a made up spelling of a common name? I’d just mention it briefly and explain son is a bit bothered by it.

Covidwoes · 07/09/2023 20:16

Oh no! I'm a primary teacher (also Y3!), and would 100% want to know!

Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 07/09/2023 20:17

As a teacher I was given a wrong spelling on the list from the office (think Stephen / Steven).
Only knew when the parent told me. I felt awful and fixed it asap.
Please tell them quietly.

Original poster
Jorvik1978 · 07/09/2023 20:17

No, it's a non-English name that has more than one variation. Think Gemma/Jemma

OP posts:
ItstimeToMoveagain · 07/09/2023 20:17

One of mine gets this all the time even as an adult . His name can be right there on work emails and people still do it

Mention it but don't be surprised if they still do it

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 07/09/2023 20:18

Can't you get DS to tell his teacher instead? Is it a name with multiple spellings? If so then it's better to teach him now to speak up about it.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 07/09/2023 20:19

"I'm sorry to be a pain but son says his name is spelt wrong on a few bits. Would you mind amending this?"

Phrase it nicely, but don't apologise for 'being a pain'. It's obviously a careless but not malicious mistake, but it is not YOUR mistake.

StrongandNorthern · 07/09/2023 20:19

Just tell them.

ShadowPuppets · 07/09/2023 20:20

Oh definitely say! A nice note like ‘Dear Mrs Smith, thanks so much for helping Jonny with settling in to school this week. I just wanted to flag that it’s Jonny not ‘Johnie’ - I spotted it on a couple of documents so wanted to let you know in case of any confusion! Thanks so much, Jonny’s mum”

I say that as the mother of a Bryony who had braced herself for ‘Briony’ but was a bit discombobulated when nursery proudly told me she’d written her name and when I got the photo it was spelt ‘Byrony’… 😂

Original poster
Jorvik1978 · 07/09/2023 20:20

It is possible it's been given to the teacher incorrectly as it was wrong on one of their systems in an earlier year l.

DS doesn't want to raise it himself as he's naturally quite reticent and worries about rocking the boat.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 07/09/2023 20:24

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 07/09/2023 20:19

"I'm sorry to be a pain but son says his name is spelt wrong on a few bits. Would you mind amending this?"

Phrase it nicely, but don't apologise for 'being a pain'. It's obviously a careless but not malicious mistake, but it is not YOUR mistake.

Agree. Be polite but don't say sorry.

Upwiththelark76 · 07/09/2023 20:27

Just speak to the teacher . They will correct it . It’s not a deliberate.

Clarich007 · 07/09/2023 20:29

I understand what you mean completely.It's only a small thing but it does niggle.
We have the same problem but with our surname.It's an unusual one as it's the name of a city plus "ham" on the end.
Because everyone knows the city name, as they are writing it down they stop short.It does annoy me, so I always point it out.People are always apologetic, but it never changes 😁

Evaka · 07/09/2023 20:29

I think you're overthinking this OP. A busy teacher will correct what's a small admim error and literally never think about it again. Ever.

Clarich007 · 07/09/2023 20:30

Apologies for the typos !

JeminasPuddle · 07/09/2023 20:30

I used to label up trays and books, absolutely loved doing it, it is very easy to sort it if it is wrong. It clearly is wrong so just speak to the teacher. There is nothing bad about informing them.

I would do that first but also check with the office to make sure his details are correct on their system. We used to get a sheet with everything on and reconfirm the details every couple of years to make sure contact details, how they travel to school etc are correct.

Bluevelvetsofa · 07/09/2023 20:31

Please mention it. Many people spell my name wrongly and it used to irritate me, especially when the correct spelling is right in front of them, but it’s gone on for so long that I’m used to it.

YourNameGoesHere · 07/09/2023 20:33

Absolutely mention it but I agree with another poster I'd definitely check it's right on the school system because that's where all my class lists used to come from.

I understand he doesn't want to rock the boat but I'm surprised none of his friends have pointed it out already especially in year 3 they love stuff like that where they find the teachers made a mistake. 😂