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Secondary education

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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:
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 15/09/2015 22:09

How do you know that he has not taught the subject previously? If, indeed, that is he case, you might usefully enquire of the school why they don't have a specialist teacher in the subject.

You don't need jargon to express a concern- but I would consider your language carefully. Preferring to him as 'a moron' will not further your case.

How many other parents have expressed concern? You can bet that if he really is not coping, it will be apparent to the leadership team in the school and they will be considering support.

ilovesooty · 15/09/2015 22:10

Absolutely, Jeanne

Shutthatdoor · 15/09/2015 22:55

fastdaytears Grin

CloakAndJagger · 15/09/2015 22:57

So, hang on. The HT realised that there was a fundamental flaw in the French National Curriculum based on a conversation with you?

Play your cards right, and there's a TV movie in this if you manage to change the system based on two weeks, a bit of Y7 homework and a hot drink with the head.

BitOfFun · 15/09/2015 23:00

Ken Robinson's TED talk was ace, but I think Bobochic's would just blow me away.

Lauren15 · 15/09/2015 23:05

fastday can you also scrap science as no one really uses it anyway ( just taking the perspective of my teenage son).

fastdaytears · 15/09/2015 23:14

Yeah good plan. To be fair what has science actually done for us? I'll put double minecraft on in its place.

Miller2408 · 15/09/2015 23:43

OMG...fastdaytears you made me laugh so much I'm willing to leave my marriage for you! Please can you scrap having teachers all together as well, and why not the head. Get rid of them all...no need for them, right? After all we have fabulous parents out there who know it all.

This thread is epic! OP's head is sooooooo stuck up her backside, I can't get over how F**ked up and deluded someone can be. I mean let's give an applause to the head though, I mean genius. How better to deal with a pyscho parent....don't deal with them! Why bother, agree with them as pass the shit to someone else. Genius

SilverBirchWithout · 15/09/2015 23:43

It makes recent Education Ministers in the UK shaping policy, practise and curriculum in our schools led by the mob who write in the Telegraph and Mail look positively benign.

MumTryingHerBest · 15/09/2015 23:54

SilverBirchWithout It makes recent Education Ministers in the UK shaping policy, practise and curriculum in our schools led by the mob who write in the Telegraph and Mail look positively benign.

I'm quite encouraged to see there's another country with a more messed up education system than ours.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2015 01:36

I'm a bit Hmm at some of the responses on this thread - how many of you understand the school system in France? Private school, at that? Do you know for a fact that the OP is wrong? I don't, I don't profess to know whether she's right or wrong, because I don't know the system.

And, tbh, if a mature teacher started teaching my children incorrectly, I'd be having a word with someone at the school as well (not UK or France).

Miller2408 · 16/09/2015 02:23

I take it you haven't read all the posts ThumbWitchesAbroad! Op went from accusing teacher of being inadequate, to name-calling, a Moran to be precise. Grouped a load of parents to join in and than establishied a flaw in the French curriculum and ready to discuss her revelations to some chain of five-school committee, by-passing the Head...all in 2 weeks of year 7 teaching!! Yet ask for advice on jargon wording to make his/her insults regarding the teacher smell like a bunch of roses, Bravo.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2015 02:30

I've read all the OP's posts, yes.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2015 02:40

I don't think you are reading the OP's posts accurately, Miller - the Op has not said that she established a flaw in the French National curriculum, only in her DD's school's vision of it. She also said that what she and other parents wanted was a more "official" version of the French National Curriculum.

And I agree with InimitableJeeves that it makes sense to canvass other parents' opinions as to whether or not they are happy with the new teacher before taking the steps the OP has done. That's what we do at our school as well - if there's something one of us finds a bit strange, we ask others - I especially need to do this because I am not native to this country I live in - to see whether it's just one of us or more.

And you have possibly missed the point that, under French employment law, this has to be dealt with quickly, so no point waiting to see if it improves on its own.

daiseehope · 16/09/2015 02:44
Hmm
daiseehope · 16/09/2015 02:48

If I were there, I'd give that Head the "Look! A Badger!" award for best diversionary tactic. I do that with kids "go and do this very important but ultimately pointless task" . This is all lunacy.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 16/09/2015 03:46

Is it fine to publically call a professional a moron then thumbwhitch and effectively setting her child/children an example that it's ok to bully and name call?!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2015 03:54

Have I said that? No.
Has she said that to her DD? I doubt it.
HAs she said it out loud at the school? Again, I doubt it.
Do you know who the teacher is? I doubt it - so why would his professional reputation be affected by a poster who should be anonymous on a UK forum, saying that she thinks he is a moron (WHICH, btw, I don't agree with)

Some of you are really extrapolating wildly.

BitOutOfPractice · 16/09/2015 04:06

What's your ideal outcome from this process op? The teacher getting the sack?

I think a pp asked earlier, have you even met him?

mathanxiety · 16/09/2015 04:36

While I agree with Jeeves and Thumbwitch, I think it would be easier to understand whether the approach is warranted if actual examples of the offending incompetence were posted.

My DCs have gone and still go to schools (not in the UK) where parents can effect significant change in many areas of school life. In both schools, one private and one public, the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

Shutthatdoor · 16/09/2015 05:51

In both schools, one private and one public, the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

The what if every parent wants different things, so you have upto 30 'tunes'. By all means say stuff, but to dictate is ridiculous.

It is all very well saying we don't know the OP is wrong. Well we don't know that they are right either.

The OP isn't coming accross very well in this thread and seems to have a big air of self importance and an ego the size of a house.

I agree, with this pp, this thread is mad.

BoneyBackJefferson · 16/09/2015 06:54

the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected.

I can see how this works in private schools, but in state schools it doesn't mainly because those that use it are ranting and swearing at you when they use it

SheGotAllDaMoves · 16/09/2015 07:02

My understanding wax that the flaw was which curriculum had been chosen by the school.

And that this choice was negatively affecting recruitment. A bit like a UK school deciding to only teach IGCSE. That night put some teachers off if they had never had any experience of it.

OP seemed to be saying that the HT accepted this was the case but that the MD had control over this issue.

A bit like a HT here would refer a parent to the bursar or the governing body.

Now whether this is something that the MD would be moveable on or even if he was whether it would be a solution to the recruitment problem remains to be seen.

TheFallenMadonna · 16/09/2015 07:12

In matters of curriculum, a Head would not refer a parent to the bursar or governing body. Parents are acting as a go between in matters of fairly fundamental importance because the Head and MD have some issues with communication. Thinking that there are flaws with that is not failing to understand the system in French private schools. It's not a system. It's a failure of one.

rollonthesummer · 16/09/2015 07:32

Maybe the OP could organise this to be taken on in France as well. One more hot drink with the deputy should do it...

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