Complaint re teacher Unprofessional Language

[thypnochick]

Hello folks
My son has recently started in YEAR 3.His teacher calls the class Plinkey Plonkers, Nutters, Lazy Toe Rags, and the boys typical blokes.. Also beautiful children do beautiful work and sloppy sitters do sloppy work!
Son is left handed and not the neatest writer at the moment and was veru upset last term as he didn''t think she likes him ie because doesnt do beautiful work and was refering to himself as a sloppy child.
I had a wrod with his teacher but the language has not stopped and the list of unprofessional language has got worse.
I have asked to speak to deputy head about this. What are your thought please?

Your ds is 7. He may be completely reliable in retelling exactly what has occurred in the classroom, or he may not. Only you can know if your ds is accurately reporting what she says. If it concerns you then speak to her. If you aren't happy with her response speak to the HOY or HT.

My own view is that children shouldn't do homework on any day of the week. I've told my ds's teacher that so we both know where we stand.

She sounds like an interesting teacher and one who your child could learn from if he wasn't so sensitive - maybe that's something you could work on at home.

It's no wonder teachers are dropping out like water out of a sieve - they can't do anything right these days.

anyone?

Until some parents are allowed to personally interview every adult their pfb learns from, you'll have to expect to take people as you find them. Loads and loads of teachers have this kind of jokey manner with the class, and none if these phrases ring alarm bells for me - I'm sure I use far worse!

It's a shame your DS is upset by it and perhaps it's worth having a word with the teacher, but fgs don't take it to the head, they'll probably offer you a crispy yet friendly snack.

My ds came across this type of language at an afterschool club - he was called an idiot in a jokey kind of way - but he didn't see it as funny. Maybe if he didn't struggle academically he might have found it hilarious but it hit a raw nerve and he kept trying to tell me why he wasn't an idiot and that he did know things.

Vunerable children can take a lot to heart and exposing them to jokey negative language may not necessarily toughen them up - it might just crush a little more of that very fragile self-esteem - still I guess at least it might give some in the class a good laugh.

I guess it depends on the head and the school ethos, my friend is deputy head of a primary school and she would not tolerate this in her school.. I have several friends who are teachers and they would not use this language and suggested that the teacher would not in an ofsted inspection..

But we're not talking about words like 'idiot' - OP said

"His teacher calls the class Plinkey Plonkers, Nutters, Lazy Toe Rags, and the boys typical blokes.. Also beautiful children do beautiful work and sloppy sitters do sloppy work!"

I struggle to comprehend this as anything other than affection, just not a sort of it your son is used to. It is harmless and I'm sure the teacher would be horrified at being accused of unprofessionalism for the word 'plinkey plonker'

"plonker" means idiot/stupid person doesn't it?

Plonker is slang for penis or stupid person.

Toe rag is slang for criminal or thief.

Nutter is slang for eccentric or mad person.

Just what is typical for a boy ?(other than maybe possessing a penis)

I don't see why anyone is justifying name calling in the classroom.

I think I would ask the Heady Head's opinion on this Loony Loon.

Or the Governor- Wuvners.

I call my students 'silly sausages' sometimes. I shall repent immediately.

Hardly the same though iTigress but I think you know that already

Hi iTigress
are these phrases that I have mentioned ones that you would use if an ofsted inspector was in the classroom?
None of my teacher friends say they would...
Thanks for your input

iTigress - I think you should repent - it is disgraceful that you should have a sense of fun.

No, but we don't let children chat off topic either when OFSTED are there, or get off topic for any reason for a second. behaviour codes enforced to the letter.
It's all WALTS, pace and vigour and success criteria and the de'il tak the hindmost.
So if you want the teachers to behave as if OFSTED are watching all the time, do you want us to be as relentless with the children?
And the parents?
No informality?

Tricky one as the teacher may be fun, but if your DS is upset by the comments that for me would be the key issue. You say you have already challenged the teacher. Who is next abovc in line of authority (pref not HT yet)

Have other parents had similar issues with this teacher?

I had a chat with the SENCO Re extra help for handwriting and mentioned that some of negative language was affecting his confidence.. Son has gone fron a 2c to a 1b in the SATS gradings, so I think her negativity is affecting him on this issue..
Senco didnt like the language and had a quiet word.. but to no avail.

Goblin Im not suggesting no informality and my son thinks plinkey plonkey is funny, however I dont!! But my main concern is typical bloke being used in a derogatory way and the negative langiage as my son 'feels' it..

Thanks for all your contributions..

I recently found out where the phrase 'toe-rag' comes from and it's not very pleasant, but as we're all Mum's in this discussion I shall continue.
In the 'olden days' women would wrap rags around their toes to use as tampons! I told you it wasn't pleasant.
So, I think the the answer to your problem, thypnochick, is to ask the teacher if she is aware of the origins of the names she calls her pupils.
Maybe she'll think twice!

'are these phrases that I have mentioned ones that you would use if an ofsted inspector was in the classroom?'

Life would be dreadfully stressful and not very good for the DCs if it was like that all the time! I agree with Goblinchild, if the lesson has to run like clockwork there is no time for the individual and the things that go wrong in the classroom, e.g. a sudden nosebleed,someone in tears because their cat got run over the night before, those that can't find a pencil, some DC who goes way off topic etc.
Teachers are not machines; luckily they are very human and they respond. I think that we need far more 'quirky' teachers. DCs like a bit of lightheartedness and a joke. If you are not in the classroom and just get it second hand you can't tell what it sounds like and you certainly can't written down. I would imagine that it is the 'in' joke for that class and they love it and also that the teacher would be utterly horrified if anyone took it seriously-they probably assume a sense of humour!

So. What you are all saying then, is that how a child feels about what is being said to them does not matter? You are saying that a child's feelings - including them feeling stupid - is something that does not deserve any form of intervention or discussion with the teacher. All that matters is that the teacher is probably fun, and probably nice and probably doesn't mean anything? The interpretation of the child and their upset about it is meaningless and not worth doing anything about?

Is that what you are saying?

Because I have to say, I don't think I've ever disagreed with you more! Regardless the intention of the teacher, the feelings of the child are valid. and some action is needed. A chat. A "this is how X interprets this, what can we do about it." certainly not "she's a fun teacher son, shut up and enjoy it."

Mmhhhh, I was about to say "surely they are endearing nicknames" until I read Scurry,s post. I am foreign and also I think my English is reasonbly good, I had no idea of the real meaning of the words this teachers uses. I now think they are inapropriate too.

I doubt if the teacher knows the real meanings. English is a strange language and I am always finding out why we use phrases-lots are from outdated things that stretch back centuries.
I would suggest that OP goes in and finds out what the position really is Hecate-all I am saying is that written down without tone, facial expression etc we can't possibly know.
The main contention seems to be handwriting and since some DCs sit so badly I can easily see how 'sloppy sitters'=sloppy work. You can ask some DCs, until you are blue in the face, to sit properly and they still won't. If I had £1 for every time I have said '4 chair legs on the floor please' I would be rich! I have had many a DC fall backwards with the chair and they still don't do it!
If she is upsetting DC she needs to change, if a DC has no sense of humour it is sad to stifle a quirky teacher-it would be better to explain to the DC.
The OP doesn't tell us enough to make a judgement.

If I taught in Ofsted language all year round, my students would learn precisely nothing, and be bored to tears.

Teachers aren't perfect - newsflash - they're humans. You now say your son says 'plinkey plonker' is funny but you don't, whereas before you said he was upset and you didn't mind the language I'm starting to think you just want a scapegoat for his poor progress.

I manage to be a well-liked, relaxed teacher who uses loads of humour and fun activities in the classroom, without ever needing to employ name-calling as a means to be a "good laugh". I know lots of other teachers who think like me.
Making a joke out of other people is a lazy way to court popularity.

I manage to be a well-liked, relaxed teacher who uses loads of humour and fun activities in the classroom, without ever needing to employ name-calling as a means to be a "good laugh". I know lots of other teachers who think like me.
Making a joke out of other people is a lazy way to court popularity.