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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Just been hauled into HT office !!!!!! I'm so mad !

215 replies

alisonmc · 15/03/2007 09:29

Hi all,
I hate my DS school! At my DS school I am probably the only parent that actively tries to help DS with his work. We read every night, he likes doing sums and other spelling activities...........so what is the problem - here goes:
a) We as parents "we are working against the school" by showing DS different methods of addition and subtraction, etc (see previous posts);
b) HT is worried about DS socially "does he do any activities outside school, has he got any friends, etc, are we putting too much pressure on him" - felt like saying FO!
c) HT is "very cross that I have obtained past SATs papers and DS has done them - well I might add!"
d) HT had DS in office on Monday for an incident "but was sorted out at the time, so no need to tell you about it" - until today that is !!!!
e) HT wants a meeting with DH & myself "to put us back on the right track!"

How ludicrous can this be ? There are thousands of children that get no help or support with their work, have severe home lives, etc - but a child who has loving and caring parents, great social life and home life is getting all this........

I am absolutely livid !

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lulumama · 15/03/2007 14:24

but the school need the children to learn their way !! or you have a class of 30 all doing thing s differently... children need to listen to and learn from the teacher., rather than do things another way or be torn between listening to mum and dad or the teacher...

sounds like you resent being told you might be doing something that is not as helpful as you believe

i certainly don;t see you having no expectations compatible with giving him SATS papers.....

there are many ways to bolster children academically without making it so formal at home....

Aloha · 15/03/2007 14:25

I have to admit I would have absolutely no idea where to get a Sats paper from.

Aloha · 15/03/2007 14:26

At school I was constantly told that I was reading the wrong books (too advanced) that it was impossible for me to have done my own homework etc etc I was very bored and frustrated and miserable at school. That colours my attitude.

beckybrastraps · 15/03/2007 14:32

As I said on the other thread, worksheets (and I would include SATs papers in that) are dull. As a former maths teacher, there must be loads of ways you could do maths activities with your ds without formalising them in this way. When I taught Maths, I very rarely used worksheets. There are so many more interesting things to do. Encourage creativity. How about a bit of discovery learning? I'm not really a Piagetian, but there is evidence that this approach can be very helpful in Maths and Science learning I believe.

bozza · 15/03/2007 14:37

Just caught up with this. Custy the Hobbit was our class book at one point in junior school. Aloha re the football - DS definitely has the football table leg way too long - I wish he would transfer some of his enthusiasm to swimming. And LOL at zippy getting the answer wrong - you first line did for you. But yes you are right, you would have got points for showing your workings. I remember being encouraged to do this at maths a-level so possibly a good habit to get into?

cornsilk · 15/03/2007 14:38

A diet of worksheets and SATS papers turns out robots, not well rounded children who can think for themselves with life skills.

crispyduck · 15/03/2007 14:38

Just need to make a point- I am sure that the children get marks for the correct methods and working out on SATS papers...this must be confusing for a child who is shown a different method

cornsilk · 15/03/2007 14:40

Children can use any method on SATS papers and some questions do give marks for working out even if the answer is wrong.

crispyduck · 15/03/2007 14:44

Cornsilk-then why does my ds tell me that he can only use that method he is taught

beckybrastraps · 15/03/2007 14:49

Children often get hold of the wrong end of the stick...

cornsilk · 15/03/2007 14:50

crispy duck - he must have been told that by his teacher.

crispyduck · 15/03/2007 14:52

Yeh he has been-a valid point to bring up to his teacher

maisym · 15/03/2007 14:52

just read the op - can you change schools?

cornsilk · 15/03/2007 14:55

Crispy duck-last week my ds wrote a spelling down incorrectly and was v.upset when I tried to tell him the right way to spell the word. He insisted on learning the incorrect version! Sometimes children take things that their teacher's say literally and out of context.

Twiglett · 15/03/2007 14:58

I am left wondering what benefit you feel the HT is getting from arranging a meeting with you and pointing out that she believes things are going awry with your DS

Personally I'd attend the next meeting with your DH with an open mind and make your decision afterwards as to what is best for your child

I won't comment on you as a parent because I know nothing about it at all .. but from your posts here it sounds like your hackles have risen and you may end up cutting off your DS' nose to spite your own face ...

The HT is a professional with, I assume, many more years experience with 7 year olds than you have .. I think a problem / potential problem has been noticed .. if you shut the door on any subsequent discussion you are failing your child

and Dejags .. I am loving your table analogy

Original poster

alisonmc · 15/03/2007 14:59

I would change schools if DS didn't only have 4 months to go at Infant school. I don't want to upset him by transferring him before his SATs. If it were any earlier then I would have considered doing so.

OP posts:

crispyduck · 15/03/2007 15:00

some methods used nowadays are so different to when I was in school....I would like to think that my ds could be flexible with methods and use the one that suits him best iyswim..

beckybrastraps · 15/03/2007 15:01

But the SATs mean bugger all! Does he think they're important? And where would he get that idea?!

Clary · 15/03/2007 15:02

"transferring him before his SATs" that remark speaks volumes to me.

crispyduck · 15/03/2007 15:03

btw good luck to OP and I agree with twig..hear the HT out first then make your decision

Original poster

alisonmc · 15/03/2007 15:04

"SATS mean bugger all" - I'd like to agree only that the school has been telling the children that they "have an important time coming up in May" - I am only trying (and seems like failing miserably) to put his mind at ease by showing him previous papers.

OP posts:

Twiglett · 15/03/2007 15:05

oh god if you put any store by SATs for 7 year olds you really need to think again

they are a terrible, terrible waste of time and the only benefit is bureaucracy

I think you've got a 'pink kink in your think' .. I'd take some time to think about it personally if I were you

cornsilk · 15/03/2007 15:07

Is the school one that's always at or near the top of the league tables?

Original poster

alisonmc · 15/03/2007 15:08

Yes, the school is the best in our area and everyone raves about it , so in effect the pressure is on for those little 7 year olds.

OP posts:

Twiglett · 15/03/2007 15:11

if the school is the best in the area and everyone raves about it .. I would be a little more open to the concept that the headteacher KNOWS WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT

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