My child was hit by a pen, thrown by a teacher

[Tiredallthetimelaura]

So my daughter who is in year 8 was in a lesson when her teacher 'cold called' her a question. My daughter responded she didn't know the answer and the teacher then threw a highlighter pen at her, hitting her on the arm. The teacher then did it again to another student, also hitting them on the arm. We have reached level 2 of a complaint, but it's always investigated by management within the academy. The school keep down playing what happened and not investigating what we ask. This teacher is still teaching, although my daughter isn't going in on the day of that lesson, which is greatly affecting her attendance. The school said they would move my daughter so she could do a different lesson (double Maths or double English), but we said no! This feels like a punishment to our daughter. She wants to do that lesson, just not with that teacher... and we agree.
Any advice on what/how the school legally should be handling this? Happy to answer any further questions Xx

What do the school say the game was?

I work in criminal justice, you need a mens rea not just the actus reus

Indeed.

As long as they are not gym balls like in the film Bad Teacher. 😂

You don’t know if the OP’s daughter’s version of events are accurate so how do you know if the teachers/schools version of events are? You weren’t there either to know what’s likely to have happened.

But do you not see the bigger picture? By massively over-reacting you're not actually supporting your child to develop the skills they need to navigate the world. Life isn't cuddly and nice all the time. There will be adversity and learning to cope with minor set backs gives us the grounding we need to cope with the tougher times.

It's her first day back and you're on the attack? If there was a pattern of this happening, then I would speak to the teacher. Demanding that management re-jig the timetable for your daughter is too much. I don't think you have a concept of reality.

I’m going to ask you again, what do you want to happen to the teacher?

I’m going to hazard a guess that you think she should be sacked.

The OP's daughters version contains information that suggests it was a gentle lob of a pen, and we are not being given any detail on the school's version, but we know they have considered it several times and given responses which the OP will not share with us.

You make your own call on what to think.

@Anon501178 "I think people are missing the point- yes a pen cannot physically hurt her (although I guess if it went near her eye it could!) But it's about the humiliation, shame and unkindness of the act mostly I assume."

Exactly!

What is the specific crime?
What outcome are you looking for?

She needs to go in to school, but she could go and sit in the library for that lesson.

😂😂😂

Yet. We seem to have found a trauma. For someone who wasn't at the scene.😂

Why aren’t you answering the questions about what you want the outcome to be? Surely it’s a fundamental piece of information?

OP I am a teacher and I think chucking a pen in any instance at a child is completely wrong. The fact that the teacher has said they did throw it is all I need to know. You don’t throw pens towards kids. Ever. If a kids needs a pen you walk over and place it on the table. The fact that they got the question wrong and then a pen was thrown is enough for me to know this shouldn’t have happened.
As pp said it’s not about the pen hurting- it’s about the humiliation and embarrassment the teacher would have wanted the child to feel, and this is completely wrong. You don’t humiliate kids or set out to demean them. No matter what they have done.
You treat children fairly, with kindness and consideration as you would want to be treated. That just basic minimum level of working with children.
I would want to know exactly what the game was me what the intention of the game was.
I think moving out of the class and into a different class for the same subject is reasonable

yes, canning legs leaving welts and throwing a bit of chalk in your direction, that's the same.

From what the OP has said the school seems to have accepted what the teacher has said and are now trying to brush the complaint off. Some schools like to cover their own backs and OP thinks that is what’s happening here.

Sorry but I cannot believe you're keeping her off school once a week to avoid this lesson. Madness.

"I am a teacher , I would never do that and I don’t know any other teacher who would either"

I agree. I wouldn't do it either. It shows a lack of teaching skills to resort to doing that.

I've done it myself before. Usually a football. I've also done the same with an object like a pen/gluestick/rubber. Its usually an accident. As in not intended but happens.

I do it often, so could never assure anyone it wouldn't happen again.

You need to be really sure before you accuse anyone of assault.

OH MY GOD……this will need years of counselling…..PTSD
really…tell her to get over it

it’s about the humiliation and embarrassment the teacher would have wanted the child to feel,

If you're a teacher, I despair. You've come to that conclusion on the available evidence, have you? Quit teaching and let people who can think do it.

Didn’t say it was the same?? Learn to read and comprehend. I was referencing the poster who was comparing 2025 to the 1980’s.

So my daughter who is in year 8 was in a lesson when her teacher 'cold called' her a question

Do you mean that the teacher asked her a question? To assess her learning?

The pen thing is obviously unacceptable but the way you have phrased this makes me think you are a massive pain in the arse.

If this is the case then you should be contacting the police.

However, I can't understand how THIS is your stand, when I would be fuming about her being cold called when she shouldnt be due to her selective mutism. THAT would be a battle I would engage in.