New recruit teacher is inadequate

[BoboChic]

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?

Are you a school inspector or other type of teacher assessor?
If not avoid the jargon. You will just come across as a dick - sorry
Just raise you concerns in plain English from your / your child's perspective.
I would say contact the HOD but if there isn't one enquire who is covering or send to the deputy or Head.
However if your child has just entered yr 7 then bear in mind the children may not have been taught these separate subjects before, and basic knowledge of the class coming from probably several /many primary schools will vary considerably.
It may be usual to set some basic tasks to introduce the subject and get a baseline for prior knowledge.
You don't say what subject it is or whether it's likely go feature in your dcs GCSE Choices which are 3 years away.
These 2 weeks are unlikely to affect your child's education irreparably.

Your only example is one piece of homework, so make your concerns factual and say, "I have concerns about the homework set on Tuesday".

Hopefully they will sack him and appoint one of the many experienced teachers just sat around at home waiting for the opportunity of teaching your child.

Your issue isn't with the teacher its with the school.

I'd write to the head, with a list of concerns, and let them decide the level of competence.

So, for e.g.

Dear Head,

While it is early in the year, I would like to raise some concerns about the level of teaching in Y7, form 1 by Mr X.
Homework set on date was full of errors, for example requesting a noun was added to each sentance, where an adjective was required. The marking of this sheet further confused the students, by putting in adverbs.
Other examples here, with descriptions and dates.

This has left DD very confused, having had a good grasp of the subject in primary.

Paragraph of what you want to happen - investigation into mistakes? Supervision? not dismissal

Bobo

Obviously correct my pretty crap grammar, and put in real live examples rather than my possibly impossible examples

The teacher is obviously not getting proper supervision. Not sure you name-calling him/her will help.

Express your concerns, fair enough, but try not to be such a cow about it.

I can well believe it. I once observed an English lesson where the teacher described stanzas in the poem as 'paragraphs' throughout and was appointed because we had no other candidates!

In this instance though, I'd leave it until October half term and then make an appointment to speak to the HOD backed up with actual instances so it is about discrepancies in the subject knowledge rather than the teacher as such.

They may well improve although as I say, I sympathise.

Just email your daughter's form tutor with your concerns; he or she will forward as appropriate.
On another note, you are not being reasonable - 2 weeks is not long enough to judge and he will be subject to checks and observations. Witch hunting with other parents is neither fair or appropriate 2 weeks in.

I do need jargon because want I feel like asking is why this moron got the job!

Oh aren't you delightful

Witch hunting with other parents is neither fair or appropriate 2 weeks in.

Well said

I would be inclined to wait too but if it is really bad and Boho insists on writing at this stage, then I like addicted to sugars letter. Gets the information across and doesn't look daft (unless the examples are actually poor).

RedMaple - the example I gave is not the only example - we have 10x as many!

It's possible, and perhaps even highly probable, that this teacher is using a scheme of work (a term plan of lessons, activities and homework tasks) that was prepared by the previous HoD and is spending his/her evenings and weekends rewriting it. He/she may be just as frustrated about the quality of the work.
Ultimately, it is the headteacher who appointed the teacher and who will be responsible for monitoring the quality of teaching, learning and assessment taking place. Teachers are assessed all of the time these days so I'd be surprised if there was a problem that hasn't been spotted.
Two weeks into the new year is far too early to know if this teacher is incompetent. Please also bear in mind that making complaints could, and probably will, mean the end of this teacher's career so be very, very sure about any course of action.

Hang the witch!

I don't understand why you need jargon. If it's as bad as you say it is, surely the examples will speak for themselves.

There are important reasons for not waiting (French employment law means that if we wait too long we'll be stuck with him for the whole year).

They've had 10x pieces of homework? Already? Was it simply one error replicated 10 times or a different error each time?

Sorry you lost me when you called him a "moron" if that's what you and this gang of other parents think then you will piss the school off!

How are we going to be able to help with French educational jargon?

The factual analysis is already written and printed. We have a meeting at school today to discuss the matter - that's why I need right words.

The meeting is in English though with someone who is neither English or French.

Kez - different every time

Blow no. We have the schemes of work from previous years (lots of parents with older DC).

What outcome do you want from the meeting?

Acknowledgment of the issues, in the first instance.

I feel really sorry for the teacher!