Not an AIBU really but posting for traffic because I'm worried. My DD (14) is at school with some girls who are (usually) periodically low level mean to her: throwaway comments about her appearance which usually stop short of actual bullying. They're very into make-up and grooming and beauty, my DD is quite immature in some ways, square and studious and not particularly interested in her looks or boys or dating (although I obviously think she's lovely). She's pretty happy with how she is and until now she's shrugged it off and considers them a bit laughable and she's asked me not to intervene.
Over the weekend my DD did a conditioning treatment on her hair which was very thick and sticky and after several washes her hair was still quite lank this morning (but clean). But she went into school feeling quite self-conscious that people were going to notice and comment on it. She overheard this group of girls in one of her classes laughing and saying her hair "made them feel nauseous" and she had "chip fat in her hair". Apparently every time she raised her hand in class to ask a question or respond to the teacher, they all theatrically laughed.
I know this sort of stuff happens a lot and my instinct up until now has been to tell her to ignore them, but I think this may have crossed a line: DD is very upset and says she doesn't feel comfortable being in this class with them any more: she wants to move class but without my saying why. I've said to her that if I ask for her to be moved, I'll have to give a reason, she says she's not comfortable with my giving the actual reason and wants me just to say she is struggling in the class (she's not).
Do I tell the teacher what's actually happening? Or do as my DD asks?