Heartbroken about DS's teacher

[Bluetie]

DS is a great kid. He's smart, funny, musical and sporty. He is also incredibly polite and has a caring nature. He is always winning awards at school, and is liked by all. DS attends a lovely small school with only 2 year-groups.

His previous teachers were OK but in year 3, he's had the most wonderful teacher, Mr T. Mr T is DS's first male teacher and they also share a hobby. Mr T has really helped DS develop his confidence, pushing him more in academics. DS has had a great year.

DS is now moving to year 4. Mr T is also moving to year 4. But they won't be together. All the classes have been mixed to mix abilities, sexes and SEN.

One morning this week, I went to ask Mr T if this class allocation was final. The head came to join our conversation, and he said he will only move DS for an exceptional reason. The head added that the new teacher has made the best progress in her year group across the whole school. I really want DS to stay with Mr T.

Can anyone think of something?

This 100%. The sooner he learns to adapt and deal with things, the better.

If he's year 4 isn't it time to put year 1 behind you or to have changed schools?

Just like 99% of all children everywhere.

What was the reason for mixing the classes up? IE were they really that imbalanced?
What is the reason for your son not being in Mr T's class? How have decisions been made?
If he's had a really poor teacher in the early years, not made much progress and made great strides with Mr T (which maybe lost with a different teacher) then there is a sound educational reason for him to stay with that teacher. Also the male teacher may have made a real difference too.
Particularly important to keep boys engaged educationally as they can switch off and misbehave so easily. (In a different way from girls before I get flack).
It may well be that your son is doing well so the thoughts are that he will do well with the other teacher!

You have got to be joking. Right?

Unless your kid is baby Jesus.

How? When you’ve said yourself “the new teacher has made the best progress in her year group across the whole school”.

I assumed, from the title, the teacher had died. He hasn't. You are being ridiculous!

Me too.

Children aren’t at a disadvantage when they get a new teacher op 😂 it happens most Septembers for most primary school children. Your ds will survive. You might not get over it though, you seem really obsessed with Mr T

by the way it’s the teachers who decide the classes. They think about the best mix of pupils, and the needs of the children socially and academically

Mr T and his colleagues have decided your child would be best placed with the other teacher.

As the mother of a soon to be year 4 kid, my fob is truly smacked.

If I may say so myself my son is very bright, lots of awards and prizes and has never had a repeat teacher.

At the end of the year we thank his teacher and enjoy the summer and a new year starts. His year 2 teacher was utterly fabulous and he sometimes goes back to see her after school and show her his latest certificate or story and she is always over the moon and spends a lot of time with him and his other friends.

I cannot understand this sort of attitude OP.

Sorry, you're being utterly ridiculous. How on Earth is he being punished? This is normal. What do you want to happen? That he stays with the same teacher all the way through school. That is not going to happen. My son has SEN. He has had some fantastic teachers that he has forged a bond with. However, he's then gone on to form the same with the next teacher. It's how the world works. I wouldn't have dreamt of making an issue of it with the school. Your son will be absolutely fine and he will also still be able to chat with Mr T.

This ^ I thought you were going to say your son’s teacher had died!

Weird comment from head about the other teacher’s success.

I agree - thought teacher had died!

If Mr T is the best teacher then other DC now deserve a turn in his class. You DS has had his turn.

TBH I don't think it's healthy for you to get involved in class allocation.
When children get to secondary school they have numerous different teachers a a day and spend lessons with other children who may not be in there close friendship groups.
I think it's good for children to get used to do different teachers especially for the last few years of primary school so they are ready for secondary.

Dear Parents of Mumsnet

You know when you have an issue you want to discuss with the school but worry about being That Parent and so don't?

Just remember this thread. This is what That Parent looks like. Not a reasonable adult who has a reasonable concern about their child.

Almost as if they were pre-empting the OP complaining…

Nobody is 'punishing' your child OP.
This scenario is completely normal for schools and you will just have to deal with it.

OP, just think about this rationally.

What % of pupils are moving from Mr T? Is DS the only one? No? Then what if all the parents reacted like you? Would you like DS to be in a class of 45 kids with Mr T? Because if you let the parents choose the teacher, this is what will happen!
Then no doubt you will be moaning that DS is being punished by being in such a large class!
Moving classes is how schools work. You already know this.

So did I that's why I clicked on it to see what had happened to him

Madness op
Sorry but this is crazy

Classes usually have one year with each teacher

Does your ds feel strongly about this? Or is it more you observing from the outside?
I have felt like this about one of my ds teachers. His next teacher was unkind and actively disliked boys. In the end I moved him to another school after being told by the head teacher that he knew the problems with Ms xxx but could not get rid of her. I moved my son to a lovely school and he is very happy. I taught him that he was more important to me than any institution and that there are solutions to life’s problems. I would not have done this just because he really liked a particular teacher. We all need to build resistance to life’s disappointments.

Auto-correct. I typed resilience.

Now that’s a great idea!

The hobby is a shared musical instrument. I can’t help with that.

I am DBS checked anyway due to my line of work.

However, happy to help set up an afternoon club! I have a few ideas.