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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Think That DD School Are Covering Up Teacher’s Unprofessional Behavior

304 replies

MrsJLL · 11/04/2026 14:27

DD is age 10. She bright and sporty. Very sociable, happy at school and doing really well.

I was recently at the school gates waiting to collect her. The mums tend to stand around chatting in little groups.

I was stood close by to many other mums but was just checking something on my phone so was alone but only about 1 to 2 meters away from everyone else.

A teacher approached me and unbelievably announced within earshot of the many of other mums that she has diagnosed my daughter with ADHD because apparently she acts like the “other ADHD” kids that this teacher knows

I was really shocked and upset as we have never had any SEND contact and this teacher is just a class teacher. Other mums definitely heard what the teacher said and also saw me being upset. The teacher then walked off after I got upset and refused to elaborate.

I subsequently made a complaint to the Headmistress about the teachers conduct and the fact she had discussed sensitive medical information in a public place, thereby breaching data protection /GDPR.

The response came back from the head that the teacher was not acting on behalf of the school when she said those things to but was speaking in her own capacity and on her own behalf.

Therefore, whilst it was regrettable, she hasn’t done anything wrong and neither has she breached any data protection laws because the information she gave me about her opinion of my daughter’s mental health was not the “official view of the school” so it doesn’t matter that it was overheard by various people.

The Head then reiterated how confident they are in this teacher’s professionalism.

That is apparently the end of the matter as far as the Head is concerned.

it has really upset me and I feel like the school are covering up for this teacher.

AIBU?

what should I do next?

OP posts:
godmum56 · 13/04/2026 20:01

Voneska · 13/04/2026 16:21

Not being funny but due to similar experience ,to you, you will not get anywhere. But if I was YOU I woukd henceforth have a fantastic time , from now on' playing a part' ...... disguise the fact that YOU are hight P *sed OFF. Then start enquiring with the school , the well being of your child. Tell them you want to call a meeting and become intensely interested in the so called diagnoses of your child, in that YOU want to be involved and sit in all assessments etc. Nothing must take place without your presence. Start being a right Pain in the ASS . With your attention to detail. Disagree eith them, challenge them at every stage. Part of the reason I think this is in order is because I believe that schools are on the lookout for LABELS. For children. If they can put a label on someone then they can apply for extra funding for that child. You will win but not in the way you think.

If the school genuinely were looking to get a child diagnosed as a funding source, they would be being massively careful to go about it in the absolutely correct way, not support some renegade unprofessional person.

IdentityCris · 14/04/2026 09:52

ExtraOnions · 11/04/2026 14:48

It’s unlikely anything will happen, I don’t think a casual conversation is covered by GDPR. I believe it’s only covered if the intention was to record it (such as a conversation as part of a formal meeting)

Not sure if you are LA or Academy .. but either way, this is the kind of thing that would be seen as the Headteachers responsibility to deal with.

You could try Governors , but I doubt they wouid do anything (and I say this as a Governor)

This is an issue of the school's confidentiality duty, not GDPR.

IdentityCris · 14/04/2026 09:55

I think you need to follow the school's complaints policy and take this to the governors. They may not uphold the complaint, because governors tend instinctively not to want to undermine the head, but at least she would have to justify herself and in effect her card and that of the teacher will be marked - they will know that if there is any repetition they are less likely to get away with it.

It could also be worth checking whether you can take this to the teachers' professional body.

horrifiedandunsure · 14/04/2026 10:36

Voneska · 13/04/2026 16:21

Not being funny but due to similar experience ,to you, you will not get anywhere. But if I was YOU I woukd henceforth have a fantastic time , from now on' playing a part' ...... disguise the fact that YOU are hight P *sed OFF. Then start enquiring with the school , the well being of your child. Tell them you want to call a meeting and become intensely interested in the so called diagnoses of your child, in that YOU want to be involved and sit in all assessments etc. Nothing must take place without your presence. Start being a right Pain in the ASS . With your attention to detail. Disagree eith them, challenge them at every stage. Part of the reason I think this is in order is because I believe that schools are on the lookout for LABELS. For children. If they can put a label on someone then they can apply for extra funding for that child. You will win but not in the way you think.

I love your pettiness and I applaud you

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