Whether to move DD - Other teacher parents, WWYD?

[windowkey]

Hello, one-time regular here but NC to prevent outing myself.

DD (Yr4), DS1 (Yr3) and DS2 (Yr2) all attend the same CofE primary, which will feed into over-subscribed CofE secondary with good reputation.

I teach p/t in the same school, but I don't teach my own children.

I've been aware for some time that DD's experience of school has been lacking in many ways. They've had a succession of weak teachers, culminating in this year where it really has been a bit of a disaster. The teacher was new in September and she's really rubbed everyone up the wrong way, staff, parents and pupils. She has problems keeping order and DD's class really have been left to run riot. Even previously well behaved children are being disruptive now.

I was aware of what was going on in there from what DD said at home, plus 'whisperings' at work, but hadn't witnessed it first hand. However, their class teacher has recently gone off with stress, and I have done a couple of days of supply in there. It was really appalling - books not marked for weeks, the classroom in complete disarray, children walking in / out of the classroom at will, massive amounts of backchat or children point-blank refusing to do the work they were set, regular fighting and name-calling amongst both girls and boys at playtime. I was really shocked.

Fortunately, I don't have to continue taking them as my other supply commitments don't allow it. However, I really don't know what to do about DD. As her mother, every fibre of me says that I don't want her to be educated in that environment. However, as a teacher in the school it will make matters horribly awkward if I withdraw her. It's a single form entry school so no option to switch classes. Furthermore, the DSes are settled and happy and making good progress, so it seems very unfair to withdraw them too. The teacher DD is due to have next year is very good, but he's not a miracle-worker.

Sorry for the essay - I'd appreciate any take on this from other teacher parents - how to balance the needs of one DC vs. the needs of other DC, vs my own work situation.

I would wait and see what the new teacher does- there are only a few weeks of term left now.

If you still feel the same way in the autumn term, then move her.

But surely you've only got a few weeks of this hell and then your DD will leave crap teacher behind anyway? To remove her for the sake of a few weeks when next year's teacher is fine seems like an over-reaction, although I do understand how distressing it must be for you to witness it so closely. And how is your DD re going to school - is she happy enough to get there in the mornings?

I do think you need to meet with you HT and say what you've said here - you may be staff, but you're still a parent, and your parental concerns should still be listened to.

Hassled, you're probably right, I am hitting that 4-weeks-to-go stressy point of the year, so I'm probably over-reacting. I just hate to think of the time that's been wasted by the disruption in this class, and my heart sinks at the prospect of her having another 2 years with them.

We've been in to see the Head earlier this year, but nothing really seems to have changed.

BTW - I am only considering a transfer from Sept anyway, certainly not this side of the summer break.

Are you sure DD will have that teacher next year? What support do you think the teacher will need to get the class back on track?

You would be well within your rights/professional responsibilities to have a factual conversation with the HT about the problems in the room - lack of marking is a fact, as are poor displays, inadequate planning. You can talk about the facts dispassionately, ignoring the needs of your daughter. It is your duty to ensure the HT is aware of the facts. If things are as bad as you say then I'd be shocked and worried if the HT of a school that size isn't aware. But they will need hard evidence to start competency proceedings and you can provide part of that jigsaw.

Depending on how well you know the coming teacher, you could also have a quiet conversation with them, letting them know the problems you encountered so you're giving them the heads up. That will give them a chance to prepare themselves for next year.

Your other option is to make an appointment to see the HT as a parent, preferably on one of your days off (or get your DH to go in if that's an option - I've had teachers & TAs husbands write/visit me rather than the colleague doing it). You can then speak as the parent of a DD who is worried/upset/going backwards academically/crying herself to sleep at night/whatever and ask what the HT is going to do about it.

Don't forget, the grass isn't always greener. Yes - you know about the problems at the current school but somewhere else is likely to have issues as well (not as severe, but you never know).

Do you rate the HT/DHT? Do you trust them to sort things out or do you think they'll try and brush things under the carpet?

Finally, a new (and determined) teacher can sort out a class surprisingly quickly as long as they have management support. I can see exactly why you're so torn and concerned, but there's a lot you can do before withdrawing your DD.

Thank you, that's very helpful advice.

I have relayed to the DHT my experiences of working in there, although it wasn't really news to her, the teacher was already on her radar (I'm not sure whether they had started formal competency proceedings).

DP went in to see the HT earlier in the year, in exactly the way that you described. He was very sympathetic (HT, not DP!) but it doesn't seem to have changed anything.

DD isn't upset exactly, but she's gone from loving school to complaining about going, plus she is bored and disillusioned. It's become a battle to get her to do any homework as she knows that it won't be marked or returned. She's in the HA group, but they are repeatedly used to support LA children rather than their own learning being extended. She's also moving away from her previous close friends as several of them have started being disruptive and getting into trouble.

They are definitely definitely having the stronger teacher next year.

I've considered tutoring (I know I could do it myself, but I try to avoid blurring mummy / teacher lines) to ensure she isn't affected from an academic perspective, but it seems harsh that a child who behaves well at school should then have extra hours of school work as a result of other children's timewasting.

As an HT (I'm assuming you are one, toomuchicecream, apologies if I'm jumping to conclusions!!), what do you think my next move should be?

Ha ha ha - humble class teacher me.... But thank you for the compliment!!

I would expect the HT to have a clear plan in place for how they are going to overcome the behaviour and academic issues. Year 5 is where most of the learning for year 6 takes place as year 6 is often a lot of revision so if the school wants to keep its SATS results up and not trigger a visit from Ofsted then they really need to get those children sorted next year.

So as a teacher I would expect the HT to be being upfront with me about the problems I've got coming. I would also expect to be told what support I'll receive. For example, very clear sanctions for misbehaviour such as the HT ready to have the miscreants sitting on the floor of their office to do their work and parents contacted each time the child is out of class. I would also expect to have a clear idea of what level each chid is REALLY at - if the teacher is off sick then the school can take advantage of their absence of get a piece of extended writing & a maths test from each child for the leadership team to level. That then needs to be compared to the children's targets/predictions from their year 2 SATS. How far adrift are they? If a big problem is indicated, then how will the teacher be supported to get the children where they need to be. For example, will the HT take an extension group 3 times a week to push their writing? Will an extra TA be drafted in for Maths? What interventions will be running? Who will be doing them?

I wouldn't expect the HT to share all that with you as a parent, but as a colleague they should be able to give you enough detail to reassure you they've got the matter in hand.

So I would say your next move needs to be a)making sure the HT has the facts about the situation you discovered in the room and b) getting your DH to visit again and look for some firm commitments from the HT - not sympathetic noises, but an indication of strategies like those I've listed above.