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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

New recruit teacher is inadequate

459 replies

BoboChic · 15/09/2015 06:41

This, basically. DD in Y7 started secondary school 2 weeks ago. One - and only one - of her teachers is totally inadequate. He is a new recruit. Parents and pupils have noticed pretty quickly that he doesn't have the first inkling of the subject he is supposed to be teaching. One approach has already been made to the school to alert them. What are the best words to use to describe this situation? Inadequate? Lacking subject knowledge?

OP posts:
anothernumberone · 15/09/2015 21:24

Super thread OP. If I were a troll hunter but I am definitely not this would be just the type of thread that would have me wondering

As it stands though I am enjoying learning more about the French education system and the power of great parenting.

I think the French angle is a fantastic touch

TheFallenMadonna · 15/09/2015 21:24

To be fair to the OP, it would be entirely standard to address an issue like subject knowledge with the line manager, and not the teacher directly.

ThenLaterWhenItGotDark · 15/09/2015 21:28

.??.which might take a leedle bit longer than this 'we need to act tout de suite because of the contract thingy' thingy. Grin

guineapigpie · 15/09/2015 21:28

I wonder whether this HT has political ambitions? Grin The political gameplaying, searching for euphemisms, avoiding getting to the point and general buck passing in this thread are like watching an episode of "Yes Minister."

ThenLaterWhenItGotDark · 15/09/2015 21:29

Xposted with a million others.

fastdaytears · 15/09/2015 21:34

HT has definitely gone on a fobbing off course! To be fair he seems to have benefitted from it.

Can't quite see how we went from "I don't know how to say this teacher is shit" to "I've fixed the curriculum for my kid's school again"...

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 21:39

TheFallenMadonna - sure, purchasing power of parents gives them the right to both have opinions on what they are buying and to make them known to the school. Schools aren't perfectly knowledgeable and - sometimes - parents can see things from the children's perspective better than teachers or heads can. Parents do generally have their children's interest at heart.

OP posts:
Lauren15 · 15/09/2015 21:44

Parents can see things from the children's perspectives better than the teachers. Have you ever been a teacher? I have been a teacher and a parent and a can assure you this is twaddle.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 21:47

Parents have 18 years of responsibility or more to see their DC through education. All the teachers I have known in RL are quite modest about their role and input and don't think that parents' opinions about their DC are systematically twaddle.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 15/09/2015 21:48

As I made clear, I'm not questioning your motives. And I know nothing of the school's current curriculum nor your proposed change. I'm questioning the idea that the leader of an education organisation won't listen to the Head of one of his schools regarding curriculum, but will listen to a parent. But then I keep saying it, and you think I am questioning you addressing the issue in the first place or going to the main man to do so. I'm not.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 21:51

TheFallenMadonna - I'm not sure that communication between these two men is very easy, for a host of reasons (long-standing older head, much newer and younger MD are part of it)

The Parents' Association often acts as a buffer/go-between. It's not an unknown situation for parents to get involved.

OP posts:
MumTryingHerBest · 15/09/2015 21:53

AllThatGlistensIs I'd say something eminently sensible and encouraging.. But I'm too busy being agog. This is my current fave WTF thread

+1

TheFallenMadonna · 15/09/2015 21:54

I think that is a somewhat unfortunate arrangement. As a parent, I would not like it.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 21:58

The downside is that parents do a lot of work for free for the school. The upside is that you get to make improvements. Waiting around hoping doesn't work but being quite fixated on your desired outcome generally does. Swings and roundabouts.

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 15/09/2015 22:00

I wonder if it might be an idea you looking for an actual job, Bobochic? Think of all you could achieve!

Lauren15 · 15/09/2015 22:03

I didn't say your opinion about your dcs is twaddle. I was referring to your assertion that you are more able to see things from your children's perspectives. The opinion of parent and teacher are equally valuable and each must listen to the other. Teachers see your children in a different context to you and you must respect their opinion just as you wish yours to be respected. Tbh you come across as having little respect for the teaching profession and seem to think yourself qualified to tell them how to do their jobs. I would seriously love to see you teach a class for a year and see how long you lasted.

TheFallenMadonna · 15/09/2015 22:04

Some parents... You'd hope they were both informed and acting in the best interests of all in the school of course, but that isn't always the case in my experience of parental involvement. And my DH was very involved in my DC's primary.

longtimelurker101 · 15/09/2015 22:06

Not being funny, but " fundamental flaws in the system" but the head has had his road to Damascus moment and changed his mind following a meeting with you.

Wow, can you come consult over here OP? I'm sure your expertise in education will greatly benefit the DOE. Genuinely, if you have such great analysis please share further so we can all bask in your munificence

Actually the MD will placate you some more, say all the soothing things that infalte your ego that you want to hear and move you on, your child may get a different teacher so no one at the school goes through this again.

You are most definately one of THOSE parents.

MumTryingHerBest · 15/09/2015 22:06

BoboChic don't think that parents' opinions about their DC are systematically twaddle. Plenty of teachers I know are of that opinion. Particularly when the parents are banging on the classroom door demanding to know why their child has been put on the red book band when they know perfectly well their their DC should be a free reader because they read encyclopedias at home.

Original poster
BoboChic · 15/09/2015 22:07

There are fantastic teachers and terrible ones and everything in between. Generally the better teachers are much more modest about their input than the crap ones.

OP posts:
PlaysWellWithOthers · 15/09/2015 22:08

This thread is a scream!

OP sounds like an utter loony, the kind of bustling person that any HT worth their salt would inevitably throw up the food chain, having had a long and amusing telephone call with the unfortunate they punted them up to.

I wait with baited breath the "md" telling the OP that they will take their comments under advisement and trying not to explode with laughter as OP leaves their office.

TheFallenMadonna · 15/09/2015 22:08

Same goes for parents I reckon...

JeanneDeMontbaston · 15/09/2015 22:08

Just out of curiosity, and I do apologise if this comes across as rude, but do you think you have a hope in hell of recognising modesty if it slaps you in the face?

ilovesooty · 15/09/2015 22:08

And I thought the English system was bad.
I've come across some officious meddling parents in my time but this beats just about everything. The head teacher sounds spineless too.

fastdaytears · 15/09/2015 22:08

Just to let you know guys, I've had a think about the UK curriculum and talked to some people and I've decided that spelling isn't a thing any more. I'm not a teacher or owt but I've sorted it.
You're welcome. I'm thinking about getting geography taken off next but I've also got an eye on rewriting the Spanish curriculum.