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Do you just put up with a crappy teaching year or do you do something?

6 replies

Otterspotter · 02/10/2017 17:14

Ds went into yr1 in Sept. He had the most wonderful reception year, the teacher and nursery nurse knew him so well, knew how to extend his learning as an individual, it was free flow with a mud kitchen, junk modelling, Early Years done really well.

At the end of last year I found out he had a job share which I already felt a little apprehensive about, but I told myself that it can work really well in certain circumstances. Half of the job share was a teacher who has been there for decades and was the nursery teacher last year, half was a 'cover teacher' last year. The Mon-Weds job share (nursery last year) then was apparently in for the INSET then off sick for the first two weeks of term. She came back for a week then has now gone off sick again for four weeks minimum. They have at least taken on a long term supply for these four weeks initially.

It feels very much like there has been no communication between any of the teachers. One will set homework on one day, then parents will ask for clarification from the other teacher on the next day and she will say something like 'I have no idea why she has asked you to do that'. They seem to have different support staff in the class on most days as well.

In addition to this it feels very much like they are doing endless worksheets. Obviously I don't know the full picture but with sensitive questioning of ds, this seems to be the case.

I currently have quite a good relationship with the headteacher. She knows I was a teacher in the past and asked me to speak st new parent events etc.

I thought about writing a class email but I don't know if this is overstepping the mark? Am I meant to just suck it up and accept that he might not progress to his full potential this year? Should I try and have a quiet word with the Head and risk our good relationship?

Has anyone been in a similar position?

OP posts:
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Wilberforce42 · 02/10/2017 17:23

We had this in year 2 and we all complained a lot. The 'crap' teacher has now gone as the new head had a bit of a cull last year. Not before time. They need to know when things aren't working. Keep 'communicating' is my advice.

Makinglists · 02/10/2017 17:24

I would Suggest talking to the head. Just explain you have some concerns and ask how they plan best to Support the children. Obviously she wont be able to discuss the sick staff member but she should be able to Communicate how they are dealing with it all. Take it from there. Good luck

user789653241 · 02/10/2017 17:24

It's only been a month and you are already decided crappy teaching from your ds's words....
My ds's yr2 teacher was ill beginning of the year, it happens since they are human, and school has done everything to make it less disruptive for kids. And teacher happened to be the one of most enthusiastic teacher I've ever met.
Give them some chance, maybe? It's still early days.

cansu · 02/10/2017 17:24

A class email would be very very inappropriate. If you have concerns about your ds and the education he is receiving then the only thing you can do is make an appointment with the head and discuss it with her privately. Getting other parents involved would be completely bonkers tbh.

WyfOfBathe · 02/10/2017 17:30

Talk to the head or head of key stage if there is one. If by a class email you mean emailing all of the parents in the class, I agree with Cansu that would be very very inappropriate.

MilkRunningOutAgain · 03/10/2017 08:16

From experience you may have to write the year off. Even with the best intentions and much effort it is hard to recruit good teachers. My DD's yr 2 was pretty bad, her extremely good teacher got ill in September and never returned. There were several cover teachers Autumn term , a teacher for the whole of spring term (teaching was of a low / non-existant standard and class behaviour became a real issue) and another long term cover for the summer term who was good, but it took the summer term for DD to get back to where she was at the end of yr 1....Her class always had several kids with learning difficulties, I doubt it was a straightforward task teaching them, if teaching can ever be straightforward. I was concerned at the time but DD made it up in KS2, she left primary meeting expectations across the board.

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