To write letter to request DS has a particular teacher when he starts reception in September

[BingBong36]

I have another son that is in year 1 now and I really disliked his reception teacher for various reasons (so did he). She has a very stern approach, there is a job share and at parents evening they totally spoke over each other etc and I just didn't warm to her. My youngest son is very sensitive summer boy and I really love the other reception teacher and feel he is best in her class.

I am going to write to the school to request this but how do I word it?

Thanks

Thank you, I am going to ask the office tomorrow who I should speak to it the best way to approach.

I do not want to waste the head's time.

I bet the office staff won't even know who allocates classes.

I'd go straight to the HT, and she can pass on concerns to who ever does allocate the classes.

I've known the EYFS coordinator allocate classes...she was new to the job, and didn't know any of the families or staff. She wasn't aware certain children with particular needs had previously been cared for by one of the staff, who knew and understood their needs, and so didn't place them in that class. It would have been easier all round if parents had suggested a particular member of staff work with their child.

Let's hope its not the EYFS team (which includes the reception teachers) BingBong36 !

Thanks Lynett.

Asbrightasajewell, you clearly haven't read the whole thread

Lots of posters have given eloquent reasons and suggestions about this.

OP, you clearly believe you are justified in asking for consideration about your preference for your your child's teacher.

The majority have told you that you are not.

End result: You're going to make yourself look a proper tit, do your child no favours and really - if this is your general attitude - most people you come into contact with in relation to your children are going to give you a wide berth.

So be it!

Actually I have read the whole thread, BingBong36! I'm not sure how you assume I hadn't by me just pointing out the EYFS team are the teachers in reception. In many schools the staff (Mrs Stern and her job-share partner Mrs unknown) sit down with the EYFS leader (Mrs Compassionate) to allocate classes. So the people to talk to before the allocations are made include Mrs Stern.

You haven't read the whole thread as I have taken some good advice and said that I will be taking a totally different approach. I am going in to discuss concerns for my son that is clingy has seperatoin anxiety and fingers crossed they put him in mrs x's class.

Luissuerezteeth: No one is giving me a wide berth and if they did because I have concerns re my son then do I really care? No.

Night all

I can assure you I have read the whole thread and have been following it from the start. I have just re-read the whole thing and unless I somehow missed a page I can't find where you state you are not going to write/speak to the Headteacher (or whoever does the allocations) about having your class put in a specific class, but instead talk to them about how to address your DC's anxiety (with no mention of your request).

It is getting late and all I can find is:
13.25 - "I accept that he will not always have teachers I like in future I'm just focussing in his first year." - i.e. I read that as I will this time only

19.47 - "I'm going to speak to the head or whoever does the allocations."

• my reading of that statement was that you still want your child in Mrs Compassionate's class and are going to try and sell it to whoever by explaining how you "think a child's first year at school is quite important." and because of your child's needs they are better suited in that class.

Please save my sanity and point me to the post where you not going to ask, and just keep your fingers crossed.

No one is giving me a wide berth and if they did because I have concerns re my son then do I really care?

Rather disingenuous, there OP. It wouldn't be because you have concerns about your child, but because you're asking for special treatment for him.

Just wanted to say that job-share teachers do become continuity for the children,because they(the children) quickly get to know how the routine works and therefore it becomes normality for them. Good teachers will tell children what to expect in the morning,afternoon and next day so that it doesn't become a shock to those that find change difficult.

When DS1 was in infants there was a Year 1 teacher who had the reputation of being extremely strict, and parents generally didn't want their DC to go into her class. For DS1 she turned out to be ideal, because he is naturally quite quiet and shy. Since she kept the whole class firmly under control, it meant she could give everyone a fair share of attention and ensure that quiet children like DS were able to contribute fully. The following year he went into a class taught by a very extrovert, bouncy woman who no doubt produced stimulating lessons; however, the reality was that it was the extroverts in the class who were allowed to take over whilst the quiet ones sank into the background. The teacher eventually admitted at a parents' evening that she hadn't understood why DS had such good reports from previous years until she saw his written work.

The point being: just because a teacher appears tough, don't necessarily assume that that's a bad thing.

Go for it bing bong. It can work. I went in to see the HT and explained my concerns. Dd was about to start reception and was on the class list of miss useless. I asked which class she was going into and they told me. I knew what she was like because she had had my son. They changed DD to the other class as requested. Why not? Simple. DD has no special needs and is very bright

"Miss Useless'

Nice language longjumping!

Who'd be a teacher?!

Accurate language, notinminute! Are all teachers excellent? As in all professions some workers are "useless". My description is accurate.

So 100% of the parents of children taught by this teacher think she is "useless"? Presumably then, they (and you) have raised these concerns with the school leadership?

And no, teachers are not all excellent. Some are and others are merely competent.

I do find it odd that you would keep your children in a school that continues to employ "useless" teachers. In my experience senior school leaders seek to ensure that the teachers they employ are effective in their practise. Clearly not so at your school.

Oh and a teacher that may be "useless" to you and yours may be just what another child needs.

Whether this is possible or not, I'm astounded by the number of posters who believe that OP is unreasonable to want to raise the issue of getting what she feels is the right teacher for her child.

Good luck to you, OP.

I am astounded this thread is nearly a week old and still going.

I'd go and see the Headteacher and ask. You want the best for your child, there's nothing wrong with that.

It might bring the problem to the school's attention and result in steps being taken that benefit all the children.

It could well be that the school don't regard Ms Stern as a problem (or do see Ms Lovely as one) but a valuable member of staff ...then what?

Just to update you all on this rather lengthy post:

I found out that there is an early years coordinator and I got in touch with her as she sorts out the classes. I told her my concerns without bad mouthing mrs stern or saying anything negative towards her and she was absolutely lovely, she has noted it and will see what she can do but cannot guarantee anything, I got the impression it wouldn't be a problem but she didn't want to make any promises.

So that's it, I am really pleased I have contacted the school because I do have my concerns and like most parents, we try and do our best for our childen.

Someone up thread called me a tit if I did this, another mentioned that everyone would give me a wide berth and that I would be on of 'those' mums, comments that are totally unreasonable and way over the top.

Thank you to those who posted in support .

Sorted then hopefully. See what September brings.

Notin.....I did report the teacher to the HT and was told it would go the the governors.
I also removed my dcs shortly afterwards.

Fingers crossed x

I've only skimmed the thread (it's pretty long!) but at our school we are given a form around this time of year and can request not to have a teacher but can't say, "We want Mr/Ms X". I've only used it once when I knew the problems that my son had had with one teacher would be repeated with his brother. I didn't mind if DD had her because she is a very different kind of child.

A few years ago I didn't want my DD to get a specific teacher, DD did and she was the best teacher my DD had and she made massive progress that year and loved the teacher. Why not give the teacher the chance to prove you wrong?