Worried about my son at school. Plz help!

[Blank0307]

Hi everyone,
My son is 7 and started junior school last September. He’s always been a bit of a slow learner and the pandemic severely affected his education. As a result he’s quite behind, something I’m not too worried, about but since starting this school seems to have become an issue with his teacher.
He hates this school, he’s teacher is very strict and he’s finding the work too hard.
We’ve spoken to this teacher on a number of occasions about his concentration as this has been an issue at his previous school. We want to know what we could do to help but are met with just keep doing what you’re doing or make sure he’s practicing this, that and the other, which of course we do.
This week however things have escalated. His teacher told us he’s refusing to do his work and she’s sent him out her classroom because she doesn’t want him in her class. I explained he finds it too hard but she says he does know what he’s supposed to do he’s just refusing to. He even said in front of both of us that he finds the work too hard but she won’t hear it. In her opinion he’s being lazy.
I’m at my wits end about how to handle this, she keeps saying how disappointing she is with him and I believe the constant put downs over the last few months have finally led to him giving in.
Has anyone had a similar experience to this? I think my next step should be speaking with the head but his teacher is very connected with the school and I feel like anything negative about this teacher would be dismissed.
I’m also debating whether to take him to see a G.P incase there’s some reason he can’t concentrate like the other children.
I’m really worried. This isn’t the boy I knew before September.
What should I do?

Ask to meet the sendco. Is this a state school?

That's appalling. Try meeting with senco. And if no joy, the head.

If the problem persists you may have to look at moving schools before he's put off education for good! I thought attitudes like these in teachers were a thing of the past.

Eh? This isn’t right.
Have you met with the senco?

Thank you everyone. Yes it’s a state school. I’ll ring them on Monday and make an appointment to meet with Senco.
I think I just needed reassurance that this isn’t right.

Hi @Blank0307

I will say that many children do struggle with the step up from Year 2 to Year 3 and this could be part of it. I cannot speak for the exact changes your child has experienced but things like changes in uniform, expectations, level of more formal teaching etc. can play a big part.

I'm sorry to hear that he has a bad relationship with his teacher - that makes things much harder for him. The teacher should be finding strategies that help him learn and supporting him if he is struggling. Sending a child out of the classroom does not sound like something that usually happens in primary schools - I feel that that is how secondary teachers tend to cope with behaviour problems.

Is he allowed fidget toys? Or to draw whilst she is teaching? There are many different strategies you can employ to help children who struggle with concentration. The teacher could also check with him when the class move to independent work whether he understands what he needs to do.

If you go and speak to the head, you do not have to expressly complain about his teacher if that is a concern. More that you are concerned about your son and can you work together to develop strategies that help him etc.