My DDs (twins) started a new school last week, switching from another school into Year 3. It 's an independent school and promises it is very child focused, although more formal than their previous school.
In a meeting with the music teacher today to discuss piano lessons, she started mentioning that my children were 'difficult' and were 'having a hard time settling in'. This is the first time this has been mentioned to me and, upon probing, appears to be based upon one interaction on Day 2 of them being at the school. It was at pick-up time, my DH was there and hearing him recount the story there was nothing 'difficult' at all and just regular 7 yr old exuberance.
This meeting was followed-up 10 minutes later with a 'chat' from the class teacher also passing on this 'difficult' message and, having chatted, with my girls it appears they were both upbraided in front of the class for being challenging ( admittedly 1 of them had thrown their lunch box on the floor in anger). Both conversations carried the phrase 'they need to learn how to behave acceptably here.'
I'm fuming. These are little girls and instead of supporting them in the transition to a new school, they seem to be being judged unduly critically by the teachers who should be caring for them. I also find it maddening and unprofessional that they are lumping them together as 'twins'. I can't see that they have been terrible all.
I know I need to speak to the head teacher. My second instinct though is to remove them and look for somewhere less judgemental. I struggle to see how it can be professional for teachers to leap to these opinions.
I'm worried though about overeacting and also the possible negative impact of moving them again.
Aargh !!