Is this inappropriate behaviour for a deputy head?

[OrmIrian]

A lad has started in the reception class with my DS#2. He arrived just before half term, his family having moved here to late for him to start at beginning of the autumn term. His mum has been a bit sniffy about the school generally (it is in special measure so I suppose I can't blame her for being a little edgy) but recently she has turned her complaints on the deputy head. Generally a pretty good sort afaik. He organises skipping in the playground in the mornings - one of those long ropes, he holds one end and a yr 6 holds the other. Anyone can join in. I think it's quite cool actually and the children love it. However she thinks it's innappropriate for some reason - I don't understand entirely but I got the impression she thinks it's a bit creepy for him to want to spend time with the children in that way. Is it?

I don't dare tell her about the conker matches he has with the kids im September

One of closest friends bf is a male teacher and although I don't like him much, I reckon the kids he teaches are really lucky as he puts 110 per cent into his job.

Hmm... DH is a primary school teacher (or at least he trained to be one) and he did find it hard to be told not to cuddle the kids when they were upset and all the rest of it. I don't think it hugely influenced his decision not to teach but it didn't help.

Hmm... DH is a primary school teacher (or at least he trained to be one) and he did find it hard to be told not to cuddle the kids when they were upset and all the rest of it. I don't think it hugely influenced his decision not to teach but it didn't help.

Does he wear a schoolgirl tunic, white knee socks and a wig with pigtails while he does it?

If he does, that could possibly explain her attitude?

No blu, but he does wear some rather nasty tracky bottoms .... he's the PE teacher too.

I think it is great that he helps out with the skipping. He is able to encourage the children, and keep a close eye on their safety too.

I'm pretty sure the junior teachers at my school get involved in skipping.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it seems that teaching staff can never do right.

Creepy to 'want to spend time with the children'. Presumably we kind of want teachers to like spending time with children. She's a madwoman.

Who would be a teacher?

When I worked in a school the amount of complaints used to be so demoralising. The school would try its best to do nice things for the kids, all to be spoilt by endless complaints and grousing.

Such as the introduction of skipping ropes and other stuff in the playground. There was some guff about the fact the skipping took up too much space in the playground (there were 3 playgrounds altogether). Complaint raised by a gaggle of (odd) parents. Hence skipping ropes withdrawn.

Madness.

Meanwhile, kids can do know wrong and never get the wrong end of the stick.

Perhaps I should show my support by trying to join in then? Also cause general amusement by going are over tt at the first attempt....

I know what you mean about whingeing, kitty. There have always been serial complainers but of course since Ofsted they have more fire in their bellies and I truly pity the teachers, most of whom I have found to be approachable and capable.

i'm all for male teachers, particularly for little boys, some maybe who lack a male mentor in their life. a lad worked at my DS's nursery who looked a bit rough 'n ready but was fab with the kids. i nearly cried when he left to become a teaching assistant with kids with special needs, but knew he's be great for whatever school it was he was going to.

your deputy head sounds fab, the woman sounds like a nutter.

Yes she does sooper. DS#2 and I were late getting to school today so I didn't talk to her but she was already in a disgruntled lokking huddle with another mum. Have a feeling that her DS may be moving schools soon....

Agree with general consensus. Can see nothing but positive in this. Surely if he was a pervert, holding a skipping rope in a playground full of other staff and assorted parents would not be his modus operandi?

Not sure about all these primary schools where you never see the deputy head. The deputy head is DS's Y2 class teacher at our school.

If the school is in special measures then I would suggest that this man is making a real effort to get the children involved with the tachers and school (which is best done in lots of small ways IMO). Having the children feeling relaxed about their teachers is a great thing (in any/every school).

Do you think this woman wants the school closed so that her child has to be switched to a higher achieving school in the area????

To be fair he has always done this. The report had nothing but praise for the social/community aspect of the school.

Maybe she is. There is an outstanding primary school the other side of the town but I think she's going to have try very very hard indeed to get in there!

to OP: she is obviously as mad as a box of frogs.

deputy sounds fab.

She's a nutter

He sounds like a lovely teacher and my heart would melt if I saw a man doing something like this.