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

‘It’s a cover up’ - or a total none issue ?

It sounds like a poor attempt at a joke gone wrong. Hopefully the teacher has been spoken to about that sort of thing and that should be the end of it.
What do you want to happen? For her to lose her job?

Would you like the teacher to lose her job?

you can be shocked and offended till you are blue in the face but you can’t force the school to change her teacher, they have come up with a solution they find acceptable. You need to move on, not sending your daughter in only damages her education. I personally think you are massively overreacting and come across as someone out for blood. I mean, why did you feel the need to collect your own evidence?! The school have dealt with it. If you really don’t trust them then move schools, but stop expecting the world to revolve around your child, they are one of hundreds and you aren’t helping them become resilient or preparing them for the real world by reacting so badly. Yes they shouldn’t have thrown the pen, I’m sure they never will again now. Move on. Send your child to school.

She was emotionally shook up??
It was a pen, not a grenade.

This. When you think about what some children in this world are going through.

Ok, I came here for a bit of support, this is not what I expected from a group of mums. Tapping out! Thanks

Grow up

Sorry you haven't had blind agreement from everyone.

I use an IKEA soft ball to target students for speaking & they then either throw back or to another student. I’m sure over the years someone has probably been accidentally hit. I tend to use lolly sticks now. Are you sure it wasn’t just a way of doing random selection & a way to keep them on their toes? It sounds like it landed on her arm - I think you’re completely over reacting. It’s not as if it was flung at her face or head. I think you need to calm down.

Meh.

Try harder next time.

Can you imagine being the governor dealing with this level 2 complaint. My eyes would roll into the back of my head and on to the floor.

"it's a cover up".... I can see the newspaper headlines now 'GREAT THROWN HIGHLIGHTER CASE REACHES THE SUPREME COURT'.

Also you say your child was embarrassed because the whole school were talking about it, but then you embarrass her further by contacting loads of parents to talk about it further?! I would be mortified if I were your child

So. You have a state 2 complaint. The school must investigate this. If you are not satisfied with this you can escalate to stage 3.

You need to be clear about what you want in terms of resolution. There’s no financial compensation but there may be something around policies that can be implemented.

if you aren’t happy with the result of stage 3 you may submit a complaint to Ofsted which the school will have to respond to.

seems a bit extreme for a wayward highlighter pen through.

Also one day off a week since the incident is ridiculous. What a way to ruin your child's education, you made a stupid decision there.

I think wanting an apology from the teacher would be fine. Wanting the teacher removed from the class and replaced with cover lessons for the rest of the term is a bit shit. Schools don't tend to have many music teachers.

The teacher is an arse. Adults who throw a pen at one of their team members for not knowing the answer to question usually find themselves in front of HR.

Just guessing here your child was called on to answer a question. They couldn’t answer and a pen was thrown at them. It’s not the physical hurt (if any) it’s the feeling of humiliation. It’s like saying ‘you numpty’ . And the teacher is claiming it was just laugh.

Ask the teacher to explain the humour.

Like a previous poster I grew up in the era when it was acceptable for teachers to terrify children with flying chalk and board rubbers. Doesn’t make it right or excusable. I would hope we have moved on from the 1970’s , how old is the teacher in question?

A highlighter tapped her on the arm causing no pain or injury. It’s not great but it doesn’t warrant such a reaction.

School policy on throwing highlighters

1. Don't hit OPs child
2. Carry on as you were aside from 1.

Sounds like this music teacher has good aim, hitting both girls on the arm, so no physical harm but it could have hit their faces, which would have been distressing.

I'm all for building resilience but teachers really shouldn't be throwing items AT children.

Well maybe they should. There is a behavior crisis in schools and I blame the parents.

I wouldn't complain if it was for a game. If the teacher is generally caring and trying to engage kids then I would just leave it.

I don't think they purposefully aimed at your child to hurt them.

You ‘collected statements’???
Are you in the police?

I have some sympathy for your dd. However, it's totally inappropriate for you to conduct your own investigation. Follow the schools complaints procedure and move on - sometimes it not worth the hassle.

No wonder no one wants to be a teacher anymore.

It was stupid of the teacher, but you are making a fuss about nothing.