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Primary education

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Original poster

Furious with teacher for saying this

31 replies

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 12:33

My eldest DS has a teacher who clearly hates teaching the class (yr 6). The teacher says inappropriate things and the worst one he has said to my DS in front of all the other children is "All the teachers say that your DB (yr 3) is lazy and you are too so it must be a family trait."
I am absolutely furious. Both my DSs struggle at school because they are dyslexic and the youngest became very disengaged at one point because the school failed to understand, and properly address, his problems. I am just incredulous that a teacher would say something like this and in this way about a pupil's younger sibling.

Numerous parents have complained about this teacher and yet his behaviour remains unchanged. I'm also annoyed that my youngest DS has been discussed in the staff room in this way although I can live with that element of it.
What do I do?

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Casmama · 05/05/2014 12:37

Complain to the head teacher of course. This is totally inappropriate and the teacher needs to be spoken to. I would also make sure that you explain your concern about your kids being discussed in the staff room in this way.
How horrible for your kids to be humiliated in this way, I would be furious too.

spanieleyes · 05/05/2014 12:38

How do you know this is what the teacher said?

AlpacaYourThings · 05/05/2014 12:39

Complain to the HT but you may ant to raise this with the LEA if the HT isn't addressing the issues raised.

annebullin · 05/05/2014 12:53

It is unlawful for a teacher to bully or harrass a pupil because of their own disability and also because of their sibling's disability under the equality act.

Original poster

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 12:59

Spanieleyes because he said it in front of the class so there are many witnesses.
The reason I haven't complained to the head yet is because I am scared that the teacher will take it out on my DS. If anyone complains about him or to him he tells that child "You can tell your Mum..." or "now I don't want you bringing your mummy in again..." He has "accidentally" trodden on children's feet and elbowed them as he is walking past. As parents we feel completely bullied by this man.
I suppose that I need to speak to the head but I am just scared of the consequences. Part of me thinks that my elder DS only has a few more weeks in his class but I am concerned that my youngest might get him as a teacher. In fact, I feel like removing my youngest from the school.
annebullin It is bullying but he doesn't just pick on my children.

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HolidayCriminal · 05/05/2014 13:02

that's dreadful, OP.
How bad are other schools that you are keeping them here?

ajandjjmum · 05/05/2014 13:16

He is clearly a bully and shouldn't be teaching. You have to report strongly, and I would have thought copying in the Governors would be a good thing, as nothing has been done with all of the other complaints.

RedRoom · 05/05/2014 13:20

Let the Head know. You need to see if there are witnesses that will corroborate that. If the teacher did say that, they need to personally apologise because it is utterly unprofessional.

The witnesses part is key. I was accused of telling a child that her parents didn't care how she behaved. Her words to her parents were along the lines of 'Mrs Redroom said my parents don't care whether I misbehave or not and you let me swear.' Of course, they complained. What actually happened was that she swore in a cover lesson that I was taking and I said, ' I have no idea if you behave like that in other lessons or if your parents allow you to say that at home, but I will not accept that sort of language'. 25 children and the Head backed me up. Not saying your DC lies, of course, but words can be misquoted.

Original poster

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 13:51

I agree Redroom that words can be misquoted but I know, in this instance (and numerous others), that there are witnesses. I'm not the only parent who is furious about this teacher either. I find the whole business very unpleasant.

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mrz · 05/05/2014 15:04

If you know it is definitely true you must report it

purplelilac · 05/05/2014 15:10

Definitely report it. Do not be surprised however if it is all dismissed out of hand and you are told that there is no evidence of this being said. This happened when I complained following nasty comments made by staff about my disabled child to other children and to him directly. Caused massive distress to my child but no action was taken and I was told if I complained again I would be considered 'vexatious'. It is easy for school to refute if no-one comes forward to support your version of events.

Original poster

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 15:23

That is terrible Purplelilac!

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SpottieDottie · 05/05/2014 15:26

Complain to the head teacher and if you get nowhere then write to the chair of governors and if that doesn't get a result then go to the local education department.

OnlyLovers · 05/05/2014 15:26

Can you and the other parents get together and meet with the head en masse? I find it appalling that there have been so many complaints already and no change, but if you 'unionise' yourselves and show that it's not just one person's word against him it might have more impact.

And, I've no idea if this is feasible, but could you ask for the governors or a representative for them to be present?

Original poster

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 15:33

Onlylovers A few of us are thinking of doing that but we haven't actually made a decision yet. Maybe one of the Governors would be a good idea, like you suggest. I think the thing that is holding parents back is that in a few weeks time our children will have left the school but I am concerned for my younger DS and I never want him to end up in his class.

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MuttonCadet · 05/05/2014 15:35

Definitely the governors, they will take this very seriously.

OnlyLovers · 05/05/2014 15:40

Well, your concern for your younger child is a valid reason for pressing forward with this. Also, even if people's own children are going to 'escape' soon, this man will still presumably keep behaving in this way towards future pupils and I think it sounds like time someone blew the whistle on him.

If the group thing doesn't happen, for whatever reason, then maybe approach the governors on your own. I really wouldn't be able to let this lie.

purplelilac · 05/05/2014 15:41

It was the Governors that threatened me with legal action for complaining!
I would expect though that most governing bodies would take a parental complaint seriously and investigate accordingly.

mrz · 05/05/2014 15:44

since parents are part of the governing body you would imagine so

OnlyLovers · 05/05/2014 15:46

purple, it sounds as though you had extraordinarily bad luck in the governors of the school and their response. One would hope, anyway, that that kind of behaviour is the exception rather than the norm. I'm sorry for your experience.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 05/05/2014 15:49

I'd have thought the fact that your DC's class are escaping soon would be all the more reason for you all to be the ones to complain. He won't be able to take it out on them for long.

purplelilac · 05/05/2014 15:58

Thanks only. I'm not sure about bad luck, more like the school not liking to be challenged as they always thought that they were in the right.
I did not take kindly to being threatened for simply making a legitimate complaint and subsequently lodged a discrimination case against them where they were found to have committed multiple acts of discrimination. Hopefully they may have learnt from this and not treat other parents in the same manner again.

OnlyLovers · 05/05/2014 16:29

purple, good for you and I'm pleased your case was successful. I meant bad luck in that it was unlucky that your particular school was shite, and that hopefully the OP's school/governors will be more reasonable.

MuttonCadet · 05/05/2014 16:32

We'll done purple, the governors response was completely unacceptable.

Original poster

Migsy1 · 05/05/2014 17:32

Good for you purple but it must have been a long and very stressful process for you :(

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