Would you go in to school about this?

[eleflump]

DS2 is in year 4 and they have been doing tests all week.

He has told me tonight that the headteacher came into their class today and said that on Friday he will be having a word with anybody who has not improved on their test results from last term, and that by law he can make people who are not doing well enough go to school on Saturdays.

DS is a quiet, shy boy and he is now petrified about Friday - I know he will have tried his best in the tests, but he may well have not improved on his results from last term. We have always told him that as long as he does his best, that is all we ask, and I will be livid if the head tells him he hasn't done well enough.

From past experience with DS1 I know the head's concern is all about future results in year 6 SATS rather than any deep-seated worry about my son's education.

Would you speak to the head before Friday, or am I being too soft?

Also - am I right in thinking there is no way that he could force my ds to attend extra lessons on Saturdays?

No, he can't force them to go to school on a Saturday.
Really not on for him to have said anything like this anyway; yes - encourage them all to do their very best, but not issue threats.

. I would be going in to check that that was what was actually said. If it is, it's outrageous.

I should imagine the Head was joking! Definitely get facts straight before worrying too much.

if it's true

Of course he can't make them go to school on a Saturday! My 8 year old would have taken it in the way I imagine it was meant and found it funny.

If it's upset your DS that much then maybe a quiet word with the class teacher just so she can reassure him is all that's needed

Our HT is very approachable and slightly comical though

Have no doubt that's what the Head will have said - I find some of the stuff he does really inappropriate.

For example, he has organised an outward bound trip for three nights for year 4 this year - they will also go in year 5 and year 6 so ds2 said he didn't want to go this year.

Head came into their class and asked everyone who wasn't going to stand up and explain the reasons why "as there is no point in him organising all these things if people aren't going to take advantage of the opportunities". I feel he should have spoken to the parents rather than embarrassing the children in this way in front of all their friends - some of the kids had to stand up and say that their parents couldn't afford to pay for the trip.

Yes. I would go nuts, actually.

I imagine the head said it as a joke - it's exactly the sort of thing my 8 year old's head would have said!! Most children will get humour by year 4?

They'll be the optional SATS. Any threat for Saturdays strikes me as a misguided joke.

It'll be the class teacher who'll be scrutinised if progress is not being made. I took over my class in January ... we're doing our SATS after 1/2 term. How much progress were they to have made in a 5 week half term? It's all down to me if they didn't!

This Headteacher is behaving in a completely inappropriate way. No child should have to justify why they are not going on a school trip involving overnight stays and also possibly costing quite a considerable sum of money. Most schools expect that some children will not be going and arrange similar type activities back at school or in the local area at a reduced cost while these school journeys are taking place. Well both the schools I have taught in did this. I would be very unhappy with the way he has handled this situation and would be having a word with him. If no satisfactory response I would contact the Chair of Governors. As for the threatening remarks about test results he needs to get a grip. That is not the way to get the best out of children. If it was a sneaky way of warning the teacher he would be displeased if results were not good then he should have spoken privately to him/her not to the children.