Problems with Primary school teacher - should I see the Head?

[SmileyMylee]

My DD in Year 2 has gone backwards this year. Her reading and maths are worse than at the end of last year. Her 'weekly' homework is either not given out or not collected in. We have had 4 'weekly' spelling lists since September. Contact books are not looked at and she has not brought home a new reading book in about 8 weeks.

Her school books since September have exactly 14 pages of writing in them since the beginning of term.

We raised our concerns at parents evening and we were assured she would stick to the published homework timetable. Nothing has changed. In addition she spent 6 minutes of our allotted 10 minutes talking about the wrong child!

A lot of other parents are complaining. Should we go to the Head or try the teacher again? She is very nice but totally disorganised. I don't want to seem to be pushy but I think my daughter deserves better.

I would try the teacher again and then the head. Maybe you could request a meeting with both of them?

TBH the lack of written work doesn't bother me too much - maybe they have been doing more 'hands on' activities (although 14 pages doesn't sound like much at all) and if you are doing things with your DD at home, I think lack of homework isn't a big concern - presumably she reads with you?

If you are at all concerned you should definitely do something about it - good luck.

Give the teacher one more chance in a meeting and voice your concerns.

The teacher won't want you going to the Head.

If the teacher doesn't buck up their ideas and you don't get any improvement, then go to the Head.

The teacher might be very young and need some help from the school and might be learning and new.

If you are concerned speak to the Head directly.

If you are not happy with the class teacher you need to approach her directly with a list of specific concerns about your child's progress. Have these written down and also make a note of what she says in response to your concerns
e.g. Last year my child was seemingly able to count to 100 in tens and now she doesn't seem able to get beyond 50.
We had worked very hard on learning the spelling with the sound 'ai' in them and now I can see in her writing that she is spelling these wrong
WHat is the school's policy on spelling tests - should they be having weekly spelling tests - am I (as a parent) missing the homework - should I be looking for something in the book bag.
This way you are sounding the teacher out but putting the onus entirely on you as if it is your mistake (regarding homework) but at the same time making clear that your expectation is weekly spellings and homework.
By highlighting your concerns over your child's progress you are also bringing them to her attention that you expect your child to be doing better and therefore what can she do to challenge your child and ensure that progress is maintained.
At the end of the meeting there should be clear points of action e.g.
SO I can expect to see weekly spelling tests
Homework days are on Monday and Friday and I need to look in the book bag on those days.
If this doesn't work then you need to take your concerns to the head or the deputy.
Hope this helps
Good luck

I think you should have a word with the teacher first.

If you then have no joy, then go to the head.

Re the lack of pages pf written work, do you get all the books home?

I know that I don't with my two.

Just want to thank everyone for their advice. I saw the teacher today and we have an 'action plan'.

We've agreed to a follow up session just before next half-term. I haven't gone to the Head yet, but she knows that if I can't see that my DD is making progress that I will see the Head to see about 'any extra support' that she needs. I get the impression she will do anything rather than risk me going to the Head.

my ds is in year 2 and doesnt get homework except a few spellings to learn once a week although only actually done this 3 times since the start of term.

He is supposed to read every night but he isnt keen so his teacher told us not to "push it"

With DS1 (YR2) they are encouraged to change their reading book on their own if they've finished it at home.