Change of teacher - WWYD

[AnnieLobeseder]

Some advice please.

My DD's reception teacher, Miss X wasn't great, IMO. She sauntered into her classroom, cup of coffee in hand, late every morning -which was incredibly frustrating for working parents; in the end I sent DD through the other Reception class in the morning to get to work on time. All through the year, she only got her reading book changed every few weeks even though she read the books in a couple of days. It wasn't until Year 1 that I found out that I was supposed to be signing her reading record so she could get a new book - the teacher never communicated this to me and never asked why it wasn't being signed or if DD was reading the books that were sent home.

The final straw was her end of year report. It was completely word-for-word copied and pasted from the guidline reports. I wouldn't have known this but my mum is an EYFS teacher and was shocked when she saw it. All I could tell was that it wasn't about my DD - it was talking about her "right-handed pincer grip" and how she had "learned more about her Christian faith and culture during the year". DD is left-handed and Jewish.

I was going to complain to the head teacher, but she was off sick for a few months at the start of the next school year so I just never got around to it. I figured DD was out of there, so leave well enough alone.

Now DD is in Year 2, and her teacher is leaving at Christmas. In order to 'minimise disruption' to the children, Miss X is taking over (never mind the disruption to the Reception class over this!!!).

I've made an appointment with the head teacher, since I feel that now I have to raise my previous concerns. But should I ask for DD to me moved to one of the other Year 2 classes (there are 3)? DD said she's happy to have Miss X again, and I know she wouldn't be happy if she had to move class. Would I be That Parent by making fuss and asking DD to be moved instead of just voicing my concens about Miss X?

WWYD?

You don't mention if Miss X was actually a good teacher. (the things you've mentioned seem to mainly to be impacts on parents).

I'd give her a chance tbh - she may have changed in 2 years, or she may be a better Y2 teacher than she was a Reception teacher. And I'm not sure the school will take your "I didn't really like her when DD had her before" complaints seriously - if you can argue (e.g) that DD is not progressing in her reading under Miss X they at least can do something about it.

Tbh if she really is a bad teacher, rather than just you (not your dd it sounds like) didn't get on, there will probably be lots asking to move, so they will say no because if they do it for one then they have them all asking.

You also have to consider what your dd wants. If she's not happy about moving, how is she going to cope with all the questions and comments she gets from friends and classmates and ex-classmates.

The only thing I'd have thought was really a complaint was the report one, and if you didn't raise it at the time then I doubt you have much standing as they will feel you're just pulling it out when it suits you.

Was she off sick because of stress?

I strongly suspect school knows she has issues, and she'll be given more support and more training this year.

For now I'd just concentrate on things that happen this year. (They'll never move your child.) So as things come up talk to her, and if they're not resolved, escalate......

Cut and paste Reception reports are frustrating and in your case op plain lazy of the teacher.
I don't think it is too late to say to the Head you are not happy with the cut and paste format of Reception report. I know some schools manage to cover all obligatory reporting of levels in Reception without being so lazy and prescriptive.
The mistakes should have been brought up at the time but you could point them out to the Head now.

Express your concerns but perhaps give teacher a chance before asking to move your dd. Just make Head aware you have concerns.

Was Miss X a good teacher? Hard to say, she was my first child's first teacher. I think she's a lazy teacher, though not necessarily a bad one. She's sweet and pleasant, so DD likes her. I just think she could try a lot harder.

I guess I'll just raise my concerns (with an apology for leaving it so long, but between being off sick and the school dropping an Ofsted rating I didn't want to bother them unnecessarily) and see how DD does with Miss X as a Yr 2 teacher.

Thanks for the advice.