Let down by school

[Zeynep01]

Hey mums

Just need some advise and second opinions,

My son is in year 1 and I’ve just find out that most of his Class has been getting a second book to read at ( The big cat books) home since September which basically helps them learn to read, when I asked the teacher she said that he should of been getting it and she was confused as to why not, then I asked the assistant teacher again she said she had no idea why he was not getting it! After chasing and running after the teachers for two week I finally managed to get it.

I also had a meeting with the head teacher yesterday as the teacher had no answers for me, she was shocked and said she is going look into it.

There is at least 10 kids in the same position

It has really upset me that he wasn’t given the opportunity and the fact that the teachers was not even aware of it.

I feel I have let my child down for not knowing(he is my first child) I feel let down by the teachers and the schools and we are nearly two term in to the year.

Do you think I should move my child to another school now or wait for few more weeks to see anything going to change then decided?

Any advise is welcomed, thank you for your time

Teacher here.... so was he getting one book per week? Just not the second one?

he should of been getting it

There is at least 10 kids in the same position

the teachers was not even aware of it.

Must be a wind up. Perhaps you should buy the books for yourself, op.
Children usually read at home with parents but don't necessarily have set books.

This is quite good, I recommend it:

The Red Book - Carl Jung

Is this a joke?? This is why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Get a grip OP

I think you’re getting negative replies here because you’ve seen this as an issue to take to the head teacher. As a teacher I have no problem with parents taking a good interest in reading and reading books. I wouldn’t expect a parent to complain about this to the head teacher through. Please can you explain a little more what your complaint was about? That your child wasn’t getting the same number of reading books as others? The children in my class do not all get the same number or level of books.......

You want to move schools over this?

OP its fine presumaly you read to him as well. This is not the hill to die on

There have been rather a number of v suspect education threads this week. God knows why there are education trolls...

OP- 3/10- the spelling was pushing it in afraid.

the spelling was pushing it in afraid.

So the op is a troll because she used ‘should of* ???
If that’s the case then at least 50% of posters are trolls ...

You could have always asked for more books if you thought your child was ready to do more reading at home. You could have also visited a library or a bookstore or bought sets of books online. It's not rocket science to find a way to expose your child to more books.

You're catching on Lola.

Perhaps he’s not on his second book because he’s struggling to read? Surely you’re reading with him at home?

In the nicest possible way, get a grip. He’s in year one. He’s got another twelve years to go.

Hi OP

It feels like you're son has missed out and you're upset.

But as a former teacher and mother to a child also in year 1 I would say manage your expectations of what the school can do for you. With larger classes they try their best and nobody has intentionally tried to single your son out to disadvantage him.

Children spend 6 hours at school and 18 hours at home. The duty to teach them falls on you just as much.

You can go to a library, download free apps and do so much more to support your child at home. Reading with them everyday is your duty. I would recommend you view the 2 books being sent home from school as a support but not the only support. Do you have a library near you? Make that a weekly habit and it will be the best thing to spark his love of reading and will reap long term benefits. I can assure you this oversight won't have long term impact on your DC.

It's 2 separate issues.

It's not good that a teacher and assistant failed to notice 1/3 of a class had the correct reading books. I'd also be concerned about organisation.

But I think you're reaction is disproportionate. It's been raised. It's been sorted. Even if this teacher isn't the most organised if you've otherwise been happy with school he may not have him/her again and so moving seems drastic. Plus there will be disorganised teachers elsewhere so it may not solve it!

Thank you all for your comments,

I am delighted to confirm that we read loads of books at home and my son is reading well (ish) for his age as he is the youngest in his class.

I accept mistake can happen however the teacher was truly believing that he was getting one and she was so confused. Clearly it's more of a system fault.

My concern are more for the future, I have attached an email to the school explaining my concerns in detail. This might give you a better idea ( this was requested by them) and note I have deleted name etc

(I was unable to attach the email so I copy n paste it)

"I would like to discuss some concerns I have had recently,

The main reason of my concern are finding out that the School performance is Well under average, As I thought ( school name) was an outstanding school as advise via web page. I would like to know what steps have been taken to prevent the recurrence of the schools performance?

At the start of last year we had a meeting with The previous head teacher ( all classes ) who advised that the system the school had in place was wrong and he wanted to change it! Can you please advise what system we are currently using as he is not here anymore, are we using the new system? or are we back to the old system.

Secondly I have had some concerns over the big cat books, I have only recently received a book and find out what Oxford levels and book band My son is on, I was very upset as some of the kids had books every week and had moved up in levels. However my son has miss out ? would like to know the reason for this?

I would really appreciate if you could provide more information on how I can help my child at home, we read and do phonics worksheets daily. We also have my niece who is training to be maths teacher who is kindly doing extra maths with him weekly
•Maybe the teachers can let us know the work they are working on that week in order for us to continue practicing it at home.

And finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank (teachers name) and everyone's that is helping (son's name) with his learning journey, I am well aware how hard your jobs are and that you are doing a great job. My son has made a huge improvements within the last six month therefore if we worked more close together and keep the communicating going we can help and give him the best opportunity there is available"

I promise I will not send it off if you guys still think I’m overreacting

And once again I would like thank everyone for their comments as thinking I did overreact would/is making me feel better as I was really worried

I think PPs (not all) have been harsh on OP and I agree with @itsgettingweird

The main issue is that her son and others have been overlooked/missed out on potential learning opportunities several times and the teachers and TA were not aware and then there was a delay in rectifying it.
The fact that the OP can go to the library/read to him is not the point.

However, moving schools for this reason would be an excessive reaction; although, it does make me wonder if there are other things that has been missed.

Maybe the teachers can let us know the work they are working on that week in order for us to continue practicing it at home.

Get rid of that bit, uneccessary and extra work for the teacher. Your niece can work out what he's doing based on homework.

I have no idea what the paragraph about systems is on about so I'd get rid of that.

Re the "outstanding" grade, this is based on an Ofsted inspection which could have taken place years ago. If the schools performance has dipped, you can expect anothrr inspection soon. However if they have just got a new head, ofsted may wait for this Summers results before inspection. The HT is unlikely to list all the things that are working on. Your child is only in year 1 so plenty of time for the school to change.

@Hugepeppapigfan My DD gets 2 books each day, not each week? Is that unusual?

Jesus wept. You once went to school so now feel qualified to judge? Your child didn’t get the magic book that would have discharged its magic reading fairy dust? You sound like a ridiculous pain in the arse. I’d move schools and start again. Don’t send the email. It’s drivel.

@Zeynep01 Definitely Sounds like slow progress to me, as my DD gets two books each night. She's now on yellow band in Reception. What band is your son? Personally I'd be asking the parents of the kids who have been getting two books what band they're on and see if they're by any chance substantially ahead.
I know all kids read at different paces. However if most of the kids who had 2 books are a band abpve, well there's your answer

You’re over reacting. Do not send that email.
Also in your copy and paste of your email you have left your sons name in so I suggest you get your post deleted.

Jesus wept

Please relax and try to have a positive attitude towards the school and the teachers.

Unless your dc has learning difficulties they will learn to read. Mine did and I read very inconsistently with them at home, I was very poor at this part of parenting.

Schools are very clever at helping students learn to crack the reading code so I would just let them get on with it. Obviously if they are falling behind then seek help and make meetings etc.

Your son's name is in that email. Please report your post.

Your child is in Year 1. You don't need to Good readers are not necessarily children who read early. Good readers are those who enjoy stories, are exposed to lots of reading materials, regularly read to and talked to. Your child will not have been disadvantaged by getting or not getting a second book.

Take a step back and just keep open communication with school.

@HavenDilemma
Is there the expectation that your child will re-read the books? Are they matched to your child’s phonics knowledge? It really depends on the school but we value re-Reading to improve fluency and allow the child to focus on comprehension instead of just decoding.

Some children could happily cope with multiple books in a week with reading and comprehension but two-three books per week would be more balanced for most Y1 children. But it depends on the school’s approach. I go for quality not quantity with my class.

Do not send the email. You are confusing issues here and to better understand the system the school use you are better meeting the class teacher about how you can work with them.