How much would you sympathise with dd in this situation?

[Takver]

She's complained to me a number of times that their science teacher frequently comments on several of the girls' personal appearance. Apparantly he tends to 'pick on' specific girls, particularly the - for want of a better word - pretty/popular ones (ie not the geeky ones!) if they aren't trying hard in class.

DD is very clear that he's never singled her out, (unsurprisingly since she's ms science geek) - but she says that she knows some of the girls he does pick out are already funny about their weight, and she feels it's unhelpful if a teacher calls them 'fat and stupid', even in jest.

So far I've suggested that she sits quiet and says nothing, since she has many more years of being in his class - but would you be more sympathetic - and if so, any helpful suggestions??? (I'm sure he's trying to be lighthearted and funny, and just jolly them along, but it does sound like not the best approach with teen girls.)

In my DS's school, if he made such a serious complaint about a teacher, it would be logged and dealt with. But then I know DS's school to be very professional with top pastoral care.

I'm sorry you think I was being harsh. But I stand by what I said. This is a serious issue. For all you know you are the only parent who has been told about this man. I think you have a responsibility to say something.

Sadly in my dd's outstanding school the head would have lied and said it hadn't happened. We left end of year 8. The head's leaving now dd is end of year 12. Everyone has heaved a sigh of relief.

OP - you don't have to go in all guns blazing. You can choose to word an email with whatever tone you like, but I think, having being told this by your DD, you ought to raise it. Even if someone else has raised the issue, it will give their concern more credence if you also raise it separately.

I'm a teacher and usually read threads with this kind of title and think the parent is overreacting - if anything however I think you are underreacring and should complain to the head ASAP. The language he uses is totally and utterly unacceptable - it's quite possible the other girls are too embarrassed to tell their parents. Like another poster said, I think you have a responsibility to flag this up. For what it's worth, if I heard a colleague say this I would go straight to the head or a member of SLT immediately.

I assume you are not in the UK - because this kind of language is totally unacceptable here. And it would lead to a teacher being disciplined.