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Original poster

Horrible cover teacher

107 replies

HHN · 22/02/2024 16:30

So there’s a teacher in my children’s school she covers reception - year 4 one day a week. My son is in year 2 never had any issues with her he’s pretty laid back and nothing phases him. My daughter is in year 1 last year in reception she would have this teacher every Tuesday & every Tuesday she would get upset we spoke to her teacher a few times but nothing seemed to happen. She’s never got wrong off the teacher just the teacher shouts at people really loud when they’re naughty and even though she’s never shouted at my DD she scares her still. Beginning of year 1 her day with that teacher changed to a Wednesday & so every Wednesday she was getting upset we didn’t bother the teacher this time we went straight to the head teacher had a meeting and explained it all to her. She was lovely and ever since that nasty teacher has been nothing but overly nice to my DD she still shouts but I think she makes more of a friendly effort with my DD so she isn’t so scared anymore. Anyway after speaking to a few people in the school yard my DD isn’t the only one who this teacher scares her class on has 18 pupils and 6 of them I know have also had to complain about this teacher. Why is she allowed to get away with screaming, shouting and scaring 4 & 5 year olds.
What else could we do about this situation?

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Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 17:50

weefella · 22/02/2024 17:27

I'm not entirely sure what you want people to say.

You've said that your son has never had a problem with this particular teacher

The Head is already aware that your daughter felt scared. They have spoken to the teacher and now she is always very nice to your child.

And now you want to take further action because you overheard a conversation with another parent? I suppose you could go back to the Head and say that you've heard someone else talking in the playground. I'm not sure what the Head would be able to do with that information though.

Just wanted some advice on what’s the next step if there was to be any more problems with either of my children. My son has also confirmed without being asked that she shouts in all the girls faces and makes them cry. She’s a bully and it’s really quite scary that so many think that this is the way children should be treat at school. Wonder if it would be a different story if your children was witnessing this EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

OP posts:
Winnading · 22/02/2024 17:52

HHN · 22/02/2024 17:46

Or I might find she’s a bully

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Well yes, that's the bloody point of volunteering in her class. Then you get to see if shes a bully. If you do find that shes a bully you can then go to the head with your valid, seen concerns.

See how it works?

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 17:52

Nightblindness · 22/02/2024 17:47

Yes, but at least then you will be able to go to the head with your eye witness experience, rather than relying on a child's perception (which can be unreliable) or playground gossip.

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Is that something that is allowed? I would 100% like to do that if it is

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Octavia64 · 22/02/2024 17:52

5 year olds very very often report being shouted at when they have been told off in a not very loud voice.

They don't like being told off and tend to report it as "So and so" shouted at me.

They do it to other kids as well - I've seen a perfectly reasonable conversation between two kids and then one goes up to the teacher and says the other one shouted at me.

This sort of thing often happens to teachers who are stricter than others. In the school I used to work in, the year 3 teacher was often accused of being shouty.

She wasn't. But she was getting the kids used to being in KS2 not KS1 and, for example, would call kids back to tuck their chair under. Some kids were a bit scared if her. But the class as a whole needed to get used to ks2 expectations and they were picked up when they didn't meet them.

You can go in and talk to the school. Realistically there is a teacher shortage, and it is likely that the teacher isn't actually shouting.

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 17:53

Winnading · 22/02/2024 17:52

Well yes, that's the bloody point of volunteering in her class. Then you get to see if shes a bully. If you do find that shes a bully you can then go to the head with your valid, seen concerns.

See how it works?

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Didn’t realise that was a thing you were allowed to do to be honest

OP posts:
Winnading · 22/02/2024 17:54

HHN · 22/02/2024 17:53

Didn’t realise that was a thing you were allowed to do to be honest

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Well now you know are you going to do it?

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 17:56

Octavia64 · 22/02/2024 17:52

5 year olds very very often report being shouted at when they have been told off in a not very loud voice.

They don't like being told off and tend to report it as "So and so" shouted at me.

They do it to other kids as well - I've seen a perfectly reasonable conversation between two kids and then one goes up to the teacher and says the other one shouted at me.

This sort of thing often happens to teachers who are stricter than others. In the school I used to work in, the year 3 teacher was often accused of being shouty.

She wasn't. But she was getting the kids used to being in KS2 not KS1 and, for example, would call kids back to tuck their chair under. Some kids were a bit scared if her. But the class as a whole needed to get used to ks2 expectations and they were picked up when they didn't meet them.

You can go in and talk to the school. Realistically there is a teacher shortage, and it is likely that the teacher isn't actually shouting.

What I’ve been told from both my children and other parents she sounds like a bully. She can’t even look up when bringing the children out at the end of the day her head is down and she absolutely can’t look you in the eye she’s very awkward but is absolutely fine to be horrible to the children when there’s no other adult present

OP posts:
QualityDog · 22/02/2024 17:56

Didn’t realise that was a thing you were allowed to do to be honest

Well it definitely is. Schools are desperate for volunteers. I'm fifty and my mam helped out in my school so it's not a new concept.

HoorayForRain · 22/02/2024 17:57

Octavia64 · 22/02/2024 17:52

5 year olds very very often report being shouted at when they have been told off in a not very loud voice.

They don't like being told off and tend to report it as "So and so" shouted at me.

They do it to other kids as well - I've seen a perfectly reasonable conversation between two kids and then one goes up to the teacher and says the other one shouted at me.

This sort of thing often happens to teachers who are stricter than others. In the school I used to work in, the year 3 teacher was often accused of being shouty.

She wasn't. But she was getting the kids used to being in KS2 not KS1 and, for example, would call kids back to tuck their chair under. Some kids were a bit scared if her. But the class as a whole needed to get used to ks2 expectations and they were picked up when they didn't meet them.

You can go in and talk to the school. Realistically there is a teacher shortage, and it is likely that the teacher isn't actually shouting.

This teacher was me (not actually me - but you get what I mean) in the early days of my career. I got a rep for being 'shouty' and a bit mean because I had high standards - firmly asking children to line up properly, to keep their hands to themselves etc. I was accused of shouting - I never did.

OP, different teachers have different personas and ways of managing a class. If she were a true threat to the children's wellbeing and safety, she would have been ousted ages ago. Respectfully, if you ask to 'observe' her in class, the head will likely laugh you out of their office (I've only ever known this to happen when parents have been invited in to observe their own children's behaviour in class, not the teacher's). Have some trust in the adults and be happy that your DD has a sound relationship with her.

QualityDog · 22/02/2024 17:57

Also, training as a teacher is something you are allowed to do as well. Now is a good time to start looking at universities as the open days start now.

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 17:58

Countrygirlxo · 22/02/2024 17:03

The normal teacher and TA will have authority over the kids they will know how to behave with the familiar faces, the kids tend to play up for cover teachers and try push buttons and test boundaries.

Yeah this is exactly what I told myself the whole time she was in reception but for it then to carry on in year one surely she should have some sort of control over this class. There’s 18 of them that’s a very small class in our area

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Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:00

HoorayForRain · 22/02/2024 17:57

This teacher was me (not actually me - but you get what I mean) in the early days of my career. I got a rep for being 'shouty' and a bit mean because I had high standards - firmly asking children to line up properly, to keep their hands to themselves etc. I was accused of shouting - I never did.

OP, different teachers have different personas and ways of managing a class. If she were a true threat to the children's wellbeing and safety, she would have been ousted ages ago. Respectfully, if you ask to 'observe' her in class, the head will likely laugh you out of their office (I've only ever known this to happen when parents have been invited in to observe their own children's behaviour in class, not the teacher's). Have some trust in the adults and be happy that your DD has a sound relationship with her.

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Year I’ve never heard of being able to go in and observe

OP posts:
Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:01

QualityDog · 22/02/2024 17:57

Also, training as a teacher is something you are allowed to do as well. Now is a good time to start looking at universities as the open days start now.

No Thankyou if that’s what I wanted to do I would have a long time ago. All I want is my children to have a happy school life. Thanks for your comment though

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Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:03

Winnading · 22/02/2024 17:54

Well now you know are you going to do it?

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Just because a few people on mumsnet have said that you can go in and observe teachers believe it or not I’m not going to go running straight to the head and volunteer to keep a eye on one of his incapable teachers no. It is something to bare in mind if any more issues arise though

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Birdsworth · 22/02/2024 18:03

Year I’ve never heard of being able to go in and observe

No, you go in to help...not observe. The observations that you make will happen as a consequence of you being there. To help.

fedupandstuck · 22/02/2024 18:03

You can't go in and just observe. You can go in to be a classroom helper - most schools will have parent helpers doing additional reading with children. Or other activities that the school needs help with.

You are making a serious allegation against this teacher - that she is bullying her whole class. Your evidence for this is what your two children have told you, and that you don't like her manner at the end of the day when she's dismissing the children. Report this to the Head and be clear that you think she is bullying all 18 children in the class. I'd mention that you've overheard other parents talking about this too. Put it all in writing.

neonjumper · 22/02/2024 18:05

I think you need to stop listening to gossip on the playground and weaving your own narrative from it .

If you have a concern , stick to facts related to your child only . Facts are things you are sure of not things you think may have happened or heard on the playground.

These type of threads are tedious !

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:06

Birdsworth · 22/02/2024 18:03

Year I’ve never heard of being able to go in and observe

No, you go in to help...not observe. The observations that you make will happen as a consequence of you being there. To help.

Never heard of being able to go in and help other than on school trips

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Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:07

neonjumper · 22/02/2024 18:05

I think you need to stop listening to gossip on the playground and weaving your own narrative from it .

If you have a concern , stick to facts related to your child only . Facts are things you are sure of not things you think may have happened or heard on the playground.

These type of threads are tedious !

I don’t listen to gossip in the playground I only drop off once a week so aren’t close enough to any of the parents to gossip

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DancingLikeARobotFrom1984 · 22/02/2024 18:09

As @fedupandstuck says - put all of this including your evidence in detailed writing to the HT. I think that's a good idea

There are usually opportunities to help in class if you want to too as others have suggested.

Shinyandnew1 · 22/02/2024 18:09

We welcome parents coming in to volunteer in our classrooms. We tend to place them in a different class to their own child though.

Shetlands · 22/02/2024 18:19

The only thing you can do is to follow the school's complaints procedure as it relates to your own child. If other parents are unhappy then that's what they have to do too. You can't complain on behalf of others. The headteacher will also be constrained by the complaints procedure so you could thank her for resolving the issue with your own DD but that the teacher shouting at others is also upsetting your own child so it's resolved fully. Ask the headteacher to explain to you how many parents out of 18 children would have to complain before the teacher is forced to change her behaviour? Ask the headteacher if she recommends that you have a meeting with the chair of governors about this issue (this might even be helpful to the HT). Don't discuss it further with other parents as they might expect you to be their mouthpiece!

Going into the class as a volunteer is probably not worth it as the teacher is unlikely to 'misbehave' in front of you and if she doesn't want volunteers in her classroom, I'm not sure anyone could force her. Good luck!

Riapia · 22/02/2024 18:27

OP, it’s time to stop pussyfooting about.
You have every right to find out where the teacher lives and go round and piss on her geraniums.

Shinyandnew1 · 22/02/2024 18:29

if she doesn't want volunteers in her classroom, I'm not sure anyone could force her.

My SLT also wouldn’t put parent volunteers in with a teacher who they had complained about.

Original poster
HHN · 22/02/2024 18:30

Shetlands · 22/02/2024 18:19

The only thing you can do is to follow the school's complaints procedure as it relates to your own child. If other parents are unhappy then that's what they have to do too. You can't complain on behalf of others. The headteacher will also be constrained by the complaints procedure so you could thank her for resolving the issue with your own DD but that the teacher shouting at others is also upsetting your own child so it's resolved fully. Ask the headteacher to explain to you how many parents out of 18 children would have to complain before the teacher is forced to change her behaviour? Ask the headteacher if she recommends that you have a meeting with the chair of governors about this issue (this might even be helpful to the HT). Don't discuss it further with other parents as they might expect you to be their mouthpiece!

Going into the class as a volunteer is probably not worth it as the teacher is unlikely to 'misbehave' in front of you and if she doesn't want volunteers in her classroom, I'm not sure anyone could force her. Good luck!

No i definitely would not be complaining on others behalf. It just came as a bit of a shock that it’s not only my daughter that she treats this way this is obviously her 2nd year in school and I’ve never discussed this with any other parent it just so happened I overheard a conversation which the led to another conversation and it was this mam who told me about the other 5 complaints

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