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Original poster

Quick question for teachers....

26 replies

lydialemon · 10/11/2004 17:57

What is the status of a childs school report? Is it classed as confidential?

I'm asking as my BFs DS1 (yr7) was 'punished' (for something that wasn't actually his fault, but thats irrelevant) by his form teacher making him stand at the front of the class and the teacher than read the bad bits of his report out to his classmates.......He is mildly dyslexic, but this hasn't been addressed by the school yet, so he is struggling academicly.

Apart from the fact that personally I find it very unprofessional and childish, is that teacher actually 'allowed' to do this IYSWIM?
BF is going to parents evening tonight, and wants to discuss this and a few other matters regarding this teachers attitude to DS1 and it would be very helpful to know where she stands legally on this.

HELP PLEASE!!!

TIA

OP posts:
Gobbledigook · 10/11/2004 18:08

Bumping this for you.

No idea Lydialemon but, bloody hell, I'd be fuming whether it's allowed or not. I'd hit the roof and give them what for!!!

God, that's made me really angry.

PuffTheMagicDragon · 10/11/2004 18:12

That's appalling, I'm sure other teacher's will say the same, am shocked .

PuffTheMagicDragon · 10/11/2004 18:13

Your BF should speak directly to the Head about it.

Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 18:15

So am I!!

Imagine how BF feels, she rang me to babysit her DS2 and DD as she needs to take her DH along to the school to keep her in check! She is well known for throwing the most spectacular wobblies (she's very good at complaining and getting results I often get her to do it on my behalf)

Its not a good start to the year and her DS1 is meant to have this form teacher for his entire school career.........I don't think so!!

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fisil · 10/11/2004 18:21

Shocking. Totally shocking. I can't think of a reason why this is illegal, but I don't think you need to, it is just completely unacceptable on any level. We do not give results to classes like they used to when I was at school - it's a confidentiality issue, and would not make sound educational sense. Definitely see the headteacher.

fisil · 10/11/2004 18:22

sorry, meant to say I can't think of a reason why its illegal not because there isn't one, but because my brain is mush! I'm sure it is.

Yorkiegirl · 10/11/2004 18:38

Message withdrawn

Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 18:46

thanks for the replies, she was worrying that she was being a bit overprotective, but I didn't and glad to see no one else does either.

I'm leaving now to babysit, I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

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acer · 10/11/2004 18:52

I am not a teacher but have to say that is DISCUSTING, the teacher was very cruel to do that and I would make a complaint, hope your ds is okay

Tommy · 10/11/2004 18:59

Not illegal (I don't think reports are legal documents but someone will correct me if I'm wrong) but extremely unprofessional on the teacher's part.

pepsi · 10/11/2004 19:01

I am not a teacher but have a child who is 4.7 and is SN at the moment. If I heard something like this happened to him I would be furious and would probably take the said report and stick it where the sun dont shine! Seriously though I would want a meeting with the said teacher and the Head of school and would want some answers. I feel for your friend and her son. Hope it all works out.

lockets · 10/11/2004 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Gobbledigook · 10/11/2004 19:08

Let us know what happens Lydialemon - all the gory details!

popsycal · 10/11/2004 19:12

that is so wrong wrong wrong wrong

Christie · 10/11/2004 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pixiefish · 10/11/2004 21:46

ed and and very very disgusted that a professional person would stoop this low

Rowlers · 10/11/2004 21:52

This is really poor behaviour on the part of the teacher.
I can only imagine she was annoyed / stressed / inexperienced etc etc. But even so, it's just a very cruel thing to do.
Hope your friend's DS is strong enough to shrug it off and not let it dwell.
Let us know how it goes?

Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 22:19

Ho hum, that meeting went really well

BF and her DP had decided not to go in to see the teacher with all guns blazing, but see how he came across to them before bringing up their concerns. However, the teacher apparently launched into a tirade, saying that her DS must have problems as he hasn't managed to settle in after 8 weeks of school, he can't follow simple instuctions etc. It all gets a bit complicated but it seems that all this ill feeling from the teacher is to do with filling in a report book?!
Its a bit much to go into, but 1 got lost, but hadn't really as the teacher had it but didn't tell BFsDS, so when BFsDS searched the school he obviously never found it and then BF bought a new one and a month later teacher produces the original, so there's important stuff written in two books blah blah blah Not exactly a hanging offence, more like bad benny hill non communication!

Anyway everytime BFs trying to talk to the teacher to put DSs side, he's interrupting and talking over the top of her. She raises her voice to make herself heard, he accuses her of shouting and raises HIS voice so BF gives up and asks the headteacher to intervene. Whilst she talking to the HM, DSs teacher is STILL trying to talk over the top of both of them! HM advised her to ring tomorrow and they'd arrange a meeting.

With the report, apart from the bad comment read out, every mark was 'satisfactory' and every teacher gave him 'above average' for effort and behaviour!

BF tried to point out that if the teacher had a problem with this book, then he should have just told DS what he hadn't done right so he could correct it rather than brood on it for half a term especially as DS would still been in primary school if his birthday had been 4 days later!

Anyway, sorry this has gone on so long (and this is a short version of the rant I heard ) but the upshot is that BF can't see anyway out of it other than DS changes form OR she will remove him from the school.

We'll just have to see what happens when they get to see the HM.

I'm so glad mine are still in primary school

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unicorn · 10/11/2004 22:29

It sounds totally outrageous for the child and totally unprofessional on behalf of the teacher.

My only (very minor experience.. see
my dd's story

is to make sure things are communicated to the head teacher... get everything in writing (keep copies too) and in this particular case I would say get witnesses.

Unbelievable... what an abusive teacher..needs seriously removing I would say.

unicorn · 10/11/2004 22:30

link doesn't seem to work.. but it's in education...
"Are we a bit naive?"

Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 22:32

That took so long to type it crossed posts a bit'

He's not an inexperienced teacher, he's been at the school a long time. The impression BF is getting from older childrens comments and something a teaching assistant let half slip is that this may be his teaching style? He was picking on a few of them at the beginning, but seems to have settled on BFsDS. We think he picks on one, to keep everyone in line IYSWIM.

So he's settled on the youngest, and slowest working child, but BFsDS is quite happy to stand up for himself and isn't worried about telling his Mum he's having problems so I think he's made a bad choice this year (and I think after tonight he's realised it)

Incidently BF and her DPs impression of him as adults was that he was a seriously intimidating w*er How scary must he be to his class!

OP posts:
Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 22:34

my stars disappeared!

that should be w*er of course

Unicorn - will go and read your thread now, and then find something calming to do!

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Original poster
lydialemon · 10/11/2004 22:35

they disappeared again!!!!!!

he is a WANKER!!!!!

hope that worked.....

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unicorn · 10/11/2004 22:39

don't know if my thread is relevant in any way... all I would say is for them to keep the head teacher informed.
Sometimes teachers are very stressed, and it is taken out on the kids (in our case a bad parents evening - when it wasn't really justified)

Original poster
lydialemon · 15/11/2004 21:21

Just to update this....

BF had her meeting with the deputy head this morning. She has come away from it very happy, and feels the school has dealt with it in a very professional manner. They have apologised profusely for the teachers treatment of her, her DP and DS1 on wednesday night and although they stopped short of critising the teacher in front of her, they have said that the events of the last term are well below the standards they expect from their staff. They were very surprised that such a minor thing as a report book has escalated to the point that BF now has to be meeting the Deputy to sort it out, and feel that the school has let both BF and her DS1 down........

Anyway they are now bending over backwards to sort it out. BFsDS will be starting in a new form next week, and they will make sure that he is fully supported with regards to his difficulties with reading and writing. The teacher has been spoken to already about his attitudes and will be spoken to again apparently.

When I spoke to BF this evening she was really happy it had all been sorted out, and she says that DS is just so relieved that he doesn't have to carry this on his own any more - that it's all over. Thank you again for all your messages, it was comforting for BF to know that she was supported in this, and that she wasn't just being an over protective, paranoid mother.

Bullying sucks, but it can be dealt with

OP posts: