Teacher told kid they were a waste of space

[ZeroFuches]

Quick question for you vipers regarding the above. Teacher accused entire class of Yr 13 of not doing their homework and asked them one by one if they had completed it. No one had done it (a past paper for context, they're almost on study leave). They all replied that he hadn't set it as homework but as revision for study leave. Teacher then shouts at one pupil, telling him he is a waste of space and that it would be better if a smarter person was breathing the air that they were breathing.

I'm tempted to email the school - although I may be biased towards this Teacher as they previously likened the suffragettes to Hamas.

Aibu?

disagree with the pps.
Why should the age of the students matter? If my boss said something as rude as that to me I'd complain. I'd also support a colleague if I overheard boss saying it about them and they were upset.

OTOH I don't necessarily see the issue with the suffragettes/hamas comment, it would depend on the context. If it was along the lines of 'many people in 1912 would have considered the suffragettes actions to have been a form of terrorism and have been extremely shocked and outraged by it, similar to the way many people react to the actions of HAMAs today,' that's factually correct. If it was 'the suffragettes were as bad as HAMAS' then that's obviously a bit different.

Wise words. Teacher is probably frustrated by the lack of effort. 18 year olds will have heard worse. Nothing to be gained by mummy getting involved, especially if no the mother of the student spoken to.

Yeah, the suffragettes famously gunning down people, taking hostages and raping women and children to achieve political goals. Totally the same.

On the waste of space comment - I do think that we could all do with a bit more robustness here. 18yo should be able to take it on the chin and not crumple into teary little heaps.

The suffragette comment does not sound like it is in the same category.

I think the teacher should be more robust certainly. Rather than just melting down in front of his students over a matter that seems more miscommunication rather than reluctance to work. It's very unprofessional.

If you are going to do anything, I would encourage your 17/18 year old to email the teacher independently and copy in the head of department outlining the facts.

The work was revision, not homework with a set due date.

The way they were addressed was condescending and uncalled for, leaving the class feeling like the teacher intended to belittle them.

Don't take this on yourself, teach them to manage it for themselves.

The likelihood of your DCs retelling of this being the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth? Pretty low

Why is your kid telling you this...I wouldn't have thought to mention a pretty pathetic insult from a teacher when I was 8 let alone 18!

Because they were asked to do it on study leave and study leave hasn't started yet.

Where exactly did OP get the information from that the teacher made the comparison mentioned? This isn't stated. And in what context was it said (for example was he quoting from a newspaper)?

Also, did the teacher make it clear that the revision was to be done before study leave began - or what? There's a difference between giving them work that should be done whilst they are still attending school and before they depart on study leave and handing them something they should read at home whilst actually on study leave.

Lots of posters invested in working from the assumption that this kid was mistaken, or has lied, is too sensitive or somehow defective from feeling inclined to chat with their parent. It's so odd.

Oh yes, it's odd. It just NEVER happens in real life. 😂

The Suffragette/Hamas comparison-unforgivable. I would ask to speak to the Head of Dept.

Depends on the context and what was actually said. Was the teacher trying to open a discussion about what constitutes terrorism, and how different people may have different opinions?

Yes, and teachers are always calm and rational actors. And they NEVER behave poorly and if they did it was probably someone else's fault.

Thanks all. Just to clarify afew things.

The comment wasn't made to my DC or about my DC. It was made to a more vulnerable member of the class which both shocked and disgusted my DC. They're the kind of person who wouldn't be bothered too much if a similar comment had been made to them but they absolutely hate bullying or belittling of others.

The homework wasn't set as homework, but as work for study leave. All students are unanimous in this. Either way, I don't think it warrants such a comment.

I won't be 'bustling' into school 😂 . My DC is capable of dealing with this themselves. I just appreciate hearing other points of view.

Thanks

Yes, and pupils are always calm and rational actors. And they NEVER behave poorly and if they did it was probably someone else's fault.😄

Why are you so involved - and if you weren’t there for both comments, you can’t possibly know what was said. As others have said, kids recall of events is often very different from reality. Tread carefully.

These are young adults on the cusp of work and university. At what point do you work from the assumption that they are not lying? How long do you think it is before you'd consider them trustworthy observers?

Sorry, I can see I typed out that I was tempted to email the school when, in fact I meant, should I encourage DC to email the head of year. My bad, as the teens say.

I think you should definitely contact the school ,this is bullying and can really affect a child's life

I’m a teacher and a mum and I think that’s a really horrible thing to say to a student, regardless of their age. Students need to feel safe and supported in order to learn well, especially as they approach their important examinations. Do some of them need a metaphorical kick up the backside? Definitely, but it is perfectly possible to do that without belittling them. I’m glad your DC can recognise this and knows it’s the wrong way to treat someone.

I'd say something. Doesn't matter that they're nearly adults, it's not an appropriate thing for any professional to say!

I am 99% sure that this didn’t happen exactly as it has been reported, and am particularly doubtful about the “it would be better if a smarter person was breathing the air that they were breathing” comment. However, if this incident does fall into the 1% zone of sheer insanity, that is clearly a deeply unacceptable remark made by an utterly exasperated teacher. It will certainly result in a disciplinary hearing because if it that really is what the teacher said one of students will definitely have reported it.

Where on earth has it been suggested that those involved "crumpled into teary little heaps?"
I wouldn't cry if a boss said this about me or a colleague but I would consider it to be deeply unprofessional. Why do students not deserve the same basic level of politeness?

This. Please get your facts right.
If that did get said, it is appalling. Horrible thing to say to anyone, adult or child, no excuse. But if it didn’t happen and you go in all guns blazing you will have egg on your face.