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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you think to head teacher saying this

145 replies

EmilyyH9 · 18/12/2025 11:22

I work in a school, as a TA. And over heard a child saying to the head teacher that they’d forgotten her name. And she said to him ‘’but I’m not the most important person here’’ not in a jokey way either. Then she looked over at me in a way like she was looking down at me.

OP posts:
ginasevern · 18/12/2025 16:50

I don't think others have noticed that the OP amended her post. The head teacher actually said "I am the most important person here" which I think is rather an odd and cold thing to say to a young child in this day and age. In which case the OP might have a point about her.

Myoldbear · 18/12/2025 16:53

I think she made a joke, then looked at you to share a smile.

TicklishMintDuck · 18/12/2025 16:54

Not sure why you’re bothered tbh

Julimia · 18/12/2025 16:59

Find something important to worry about. That's in your head

Schoolchoicesucks · 18/12/2025 17:02

Child said to Head Teacher "I've forgotten your name"

Head Teacher said to child "But I am the most important person here"

Then Head Teacher gave you a look you interpreted as them looking down on you.

Have I got that right? It is very unclear from the OP which person said what and who gave you the look.

I think it's a non-event really. I expect the Head was joking whether they looked like it or not. Why would the Head have been looking down at you? Were you involved in the exchange at all?

Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow · 18/12/2025 17:02

🙋Have a couple of Baileys and a nice lie down. You'll soon feel better.

Hankunamatata · 18/12/2025 17:02

It was a joke. Prob delivered deadpan

worrisomeasset · 18/12/2025 17:04

ginasevern · 18/12/2025 16:50

I don't think others have noticed that the OP amended her post. The head teacher actually said "I am the most important person here" which I think is rather an odd and cold thing to say to a young child in this day and age. In which case the OP might have a point about her.

I'm a primary supply teacher so children in my classes regularly forget my name. I will often reply with an exaggerated expression of sorrow, saying such things as "how could you do such a thing?" It's just a joke and the kid gets it. I'm definitely going to say "but I'm the most important person in the room" the next time it happens, accompanied by a look of mock horror on my face. It'll make for a pleasant bit of respite from teaching the delights of long division.

Lakeyloo · 18/12/2025 17:07

EmilyyH9 · 18/12/2025 13:13

Sorry, it meant to say
’but I’m the most important person here’

It sounds like a tongue in cheek comment to me, and maybe she was expecting you to smile when she looked over at you ?

Strictlycomeparent · 18/12/2025 17:07

EmilyyH9 · 18/12/2025 13:15

She said as if to say, how could he have forgot her name. She’s the most important

Ah okay. I was struggling to understand with how you had worded it before. They actually said they were the most important person.

They sound on a power trip and I’d be concerned. As a joke, would be okay (if the child understood). Otherwise they sound problematic and silly.

Skippydoodle · 18/12/2025 17:17

EmilyyH9 · 18/12/2025 11:22

I work in a school, as a TA. And over heard a child saying to the head teacher that they’d forgotten her name. And she said to him ‘’but I’m not the most important person here’’ not in a jokey way either. Then she looked over at me in a way like she was looking down at me.

UUGGH. Relax whatever way you need to - you do NEED to.

angelfacecuti75 · 18/12/2025 17:34

Tillow4ever · 18/12/2025 11:44

Unless you’ve made a typo I’d have thought they were saying they aren’t the most important person and then looking at you as if to signify that you are? Because for a child, their teacher or the TA will be the most important person.

This is what I was gonna say^.

EndlessTreadmill · 18/12/2025 17:39

She was trying to make a joke, teasing the child! And the only reason to look at you was she was bringing you in on the joke. The fact is that a headteacher is the most senior person in the school, so if you take important as = senior, then yes she is. It's a lighthearted joke, and she was bringing you into it, you have a chip on your shoulder in my view.

Flowerslamp · 18/12/2025 17:50

Tillow4ever · 18/12/2025 11:44

Unless you’ve made a typo I’d have thought they were saying they aren’t the most important person and then looking at you as if to signify that you are? Because for a child, their teacher or the TA will be the most important person.

Yes, that's what I'd have taken from that (if anything) too.

PuppyMonkey · 18/12/2025 17:52

This thread is going to go on and on for eternity with people not reading the OP’s correction. Grin

PetuniaT · 18/12/2025 17:54

Milkbloo · 18/12/2025 11:33

I think you are being fairly inarticulate, which is probably the most important thing, here.

......given that you're a TA. Your post is incomprehensible.

SerendipityJane · 18/12/2025 17:56

PuppyMonkey · 18/12/2025 17:52

This thread is going to go on and on for eternity with people not reading the OP’s correction. Grin

I have read the OPs 3 posts thus far.

And I can't really make out who said what to whom and when they said it.

Leo800 · 18/12/2025 17:58

I don’t get the issue. Possibly a sense of humour failure on your part.

user927464 · 18/12/2025 18:00

Get a grip. This is not something to get worked up about.

PuppyMonkey · 18/12/2025 18:05

SerendipityJane · 18/12/2025 17:56

I have read the OPs 3 posts thus far.

And I can't really make out who said what to whom and when they said it.

Show quote history

The headteacher said “I’m the most important person here” to the child who said he had forgotten her name. And then looked at the OP.

OP accidentally typed NOT in the first post.

Thus causing confusion. Grin

Endorewitch · 18/12/2025 18:07

What on earth are you saying?Can't understand why on earth you have got upset. Ridiculous non event .

SerendipityJane · 18/12/2025 18:08

PuppyMonkey · 18/12/2025 18:05

The headteacher said “I’m the most important person here” to the child who said he had forgotten her name. And then looked at the OP.

OP accidentally typed NOT in the first post.

Thus causing confusion. Grin

Show quote history

I can make some sense if I add the OPs posts to yours, but not enough to feel comfortable having a point of view.

Very unMNetty I know. 😆

Moveoverdarlin · 18/12/2025 18:13

Good grief, I can’t make head nor tail of this.

IdaGlossop · 18/12/2025 18:17

I have read your post four times, OP. I think I understand who said what, finally. It's not easy to imagine any head teacher looking down on you in these circumstances. Why would she? Pausing for a moment to consider this would have been a better option than confusing strangers on Mumsnet who were not in school to witness the head's expression.

My interpretation is that the head teacher spoke to the child affectionately, knew you had overheard, and looked at your adult-to-adult to show complicit understanding of what she had said. Potentially, a rather nice moment in the school day into which you have injected a dose of paranoia.

Typo

Mumdiva99 · 18/12/2025 18:28

EmilyyH9 · 18/12/2025 11:22

I work in a school, as a TA. And over heard a child saying to the head teacher that they’d forgotten her name. And she said to him ‘’but I’m not the most important person here’’ not in a jokey way either. Then she looked over at me in a way like she was looking down at me.

I think you must work in my school. My HT would (and has) said this. Part in jest. Part serious. We would laugh. Tell the child her name and move on.

  • Are you ND? If so please take what we are saying. It's meant to be a joke. She looked at you so you could laugh with her. Don't take it any other way.
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