GCSE work being undermined by DDs ex-friend

[Carteblanche]

Dd is 16, in her GCSE year. In all but one subject, she's A or A*. She wants to go to extra lessons in the subject she's struggling with. But the extra lessons are also attended by a girl who she has been reluctant friends with since Year 7.
This girl, let's say Sue, has always been a drama queen, but dd has included her in stuff to keep the peace, while having another group of friends she's much closer to. Sue feels pushed out recently because dd has a boyfriend and this other group of friends.
Sue has formed her own 'camp' at school and caused divisions among the wider group. It's all familiar stuff, but what worries me is DD cant face the extra lessons because it's a small group dominated by Sue. Dd cant find a seat away from Sue, and Sue sighs and bitches and mutters at DD the whole time. Dd can't concentrate and so gets nothing out of the extra lessons, and comes home upset and still has to do extra work at home.
The work is SO much more important than Sue, that i'm finding it really frustrating and want to step in and do something but WHAT?!
I've wondered if DD should talk to the subject teacher but it's not a teacher she feels able to talk to, and what would he do anyway?
Any advice welcome.

The lesson is there for the pupils to learn not to mutter and sigh - at the very Least this must be disrupting the learning and the teacher should have noticed. I can't imagine use is learning much if she is sighing and muttering all through the lesson.
One thing to consider is that is this really happening or is it just your dds perception? You don't say how longs it's been going on - if it's only a week or 2 then sue may get bored.

However if it's been longer then your dd should try to resolve it. Perhaps she should approach teacher and say she is finding it hard to concentrate in the lesson due to the low level interference ( not necessarily naming sue) so ends up having to do the work at home. This gives the teacher the chance to manage the class dynamics.

Of it doesn't help can you the go the the school - I would imagine they will want your dd to achieve her best results and if this is a barrier to her learning they they should be helping to overcome it.

Would your DD be comfortable asking for a seat that is not next to Sue? Unless there are only 4 or so people in the class surely she can put a small amount of distance between them? Is it possible that Sue would respond ok herself, if your DD was to address it with her directly?

Also, would your DD actually find the class useful if Sue wasn't in it? When I was at that level I found it much more useful to identify areas I was struggling with myself and work on them alone (text books, internet, study guides, past papers). Rather than a class where I might have to spend several lessons on an aspect that I already understood.

Obviously depends what the lesson is though - French conversation, chemistry practical, etc I can see you'd need the class for!

Thanks for the advice. it's been going on for a couple of weeks now. i might wait and see how this weeks' session goes and if it's the same, contact the teacher. unfortunately it's a small group, only 8-10 of them.
as it happens today i've heard from another parent that Sue did exactly the same thing last year with another child . which doesnt help but makes me feel a bit better.

I spoke to the teacher and the Sue issue has been resolved - by my dd not attending the revision sessions. She's being given extra work to do at home. So that's bit's working out ok.
But Sue's behaviour is erratic. At school she'll alternate between being ice cold and not speaking to DD, or being directly bitchy. Then in the evening, she sends texts to DD saying she loves her and wants to be her friend again. DD has coped with this by ignoring the texts. she doesnt want to go through more emotional ups and downs with Sue.
I found out today that Sue is calling at our house after school, after DD has returned home, ringing the bell but DD has not answered the door. DDs thinking is that if Sue comes in it will be either for a big row at DD, or to beg to be friends again. DD simply cannot handle either. DD is now wary of answering her phone or the door when she's home alone.
IS this still 'normal' teen friendship behaviour or has Sue crossed a line? I feel horrible about it all, and sorry for Sue who must be so messed up, I can only think she's going home upset every day and that's heartbreaking. On the other hand, I've seen my DD crying and upset about the way Sue's treated her.
Any wise words would be welcome. I feel s**t about the whole situation and it's hard to have to sit back and watch. and . But mostly .