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

She's not going to get sacked for it. My OH is a teacher and he reckons that she'll be spoken to about her conduct and made to issue an apology but it's not gross misconduct which can lead to being dismissed.

Apologies - you used the words "emotionally shook up". My sentiments remain the same however.

But… it didn’t cause damage. So jog on. No way will police investigate this. So many budget cuts, it just wont happen mate.

I wouldn't call it 'massively overreacting' I would call it holding someone to account for their poor behaviours.A good skill to instill in our kids.
Sadly we are a country of cowards who are too afraid of sticking up for what is right as its not the done thing and heaven forbid might offend someone or make us stand out from the crowd.
Skills of dealing with these things independently are developed by scaffolding and modelling from parents in a nurturing way, not just throwing kids to the wolves and expecting them to fend for themselves.
Also, as PP says if this was in an office with a boss throwing a pen at their employee would you think it was acceptable then? A husband throwing a pen at his wife's face? Children aren't worth less due to their age.
Teach that this sort of thing is unacceptable now OP and she will hopefully be set up to not tolerate it in future either.

That's not been just the advice, it's completely varied from your daughter is pathetic to get the police involved.
Is there something wrong in asking if commenter is a teacher considering the topic? What's the issue?

Get a grip of yourself. Kids in africa face famine and water shortage. Kids in Ukraine die from russian drones. Kids in Mexico live on the streets and are beaten regularly. Kids in India don’t have school and face sexual predators. Your a woke first world parent and should count yourself lucky. She is not going to die by being hit on the bloody arm with a highlighter. It’s just these nothing issues that concern me as the country has absolutely no backbone and when the Russians come over the hill your protestations will not be met with a kind word. Get a grip!

Ermm, still not correct or in its full context. 3rd time lucky?

Oh dear, @Tiredallthetimelaura, not the sharpest highlighter in the box, are we? What a very silly bunch of comments. I have said on numerous occasions that I was a teacher for 47 years. An extremely successful one, in fact...the number of "failures" (a word I hate to use, as it simply means passing through the draughting gates of public exams), at Common Entrance and Scholarship, GCSEs, A Levels, including the Cambridge International A and A2 exams, I can count on one hand. Mostly As and A*s. One student in the Cambridge International A2 exam was top in the WORLD in Classical Studies. Not only an outstanding pass rate, but happy and fulfilled students. At Prep School, we played games. Running games, dancing, marching, battle re-enactments. Roman legions v. Barbarians in the woods after dark...resulting in occasional sprained ankles, scratches...you know, actual injuries. No-one cared. It's part of being a kid.

When I first came to the UK, I was shocked at how "pulpy" British kids were. Flabby, pale, over-protected, precious. Now I know why. They are not allowed to take risks. I notice though that private school parents are a great deal more accepting, and never make a fuss...Broken finger? Oh dear, well, he won't do THAT again.

Of course teachers can make mistakes - I just don't think the gross exaggeration helps. My son's yr 7 PE teacher refused to believe that his asthma was too bad to do cross-country, and forced him to run. He almost died. Now that is an issue to make a fuss about, and I did. Lessons were learned.

You still don’t answer. Do you want her sacked yes or no?

I’ve given you sensible advice, should have been done a month ago but sit with said teacher and daughter. Talk it out, have your daughter explain why she is so upset, you explain why you are so upset. Teacher apologises, move on

whats wrong with that advice? Given you refuse to take it from numerous people tells me you want her fired but don’t want to admit it. I also question why you felt the need to highlight she was in her HOME country. Why was she was away for x amount of weeks not sufficient. Anyway let’s not give you another avenue to avoid answering the question. Do you want her to be sacked?

I remember pens being thrown in the 80ss, not at me, but at others. It was pretty upsetting just to witness it, let alone being the person who things were aimed at.
Personally, if the school aren’t listening or being completely honest, I’d contact ofsted.

For the avoidance of doubt this is a copy and paste... "It didn't leave a mark as she had a blazer on, but emotionally she was shook up and embarrassed!"

Of course they will investigate. This type of assault is much easier to get a reault from than catching burglars and drug dealers. Where were you sat in the classroom to observe the OPs child and know for certain no harm was done or would that be just your opinion?? Nothing based in fact then!!

We're in the UK! Get a grip! And I'm so far from woke its laughable! Just don't think teachers should be throwing ANYTHING at CHILDREN for no reason. But hey, if that's your style... that's your business!

So you do want her sacked then.

Advice for what? What to do next? You clearly don't like the answer you've already been given by the school so I think everyone's just wondering if that didn't satisfy you, what will?

What will you do next? You've been advised everything from 'move on' to 'call the police'. What feels right for you?

Have you asked your daughter what she wants?

Perfect aim as well. Most of us think fondly of those teachers oddly.

I had one who used to launch tables, not at anyone, just across the room. His class was perfectly behaved.

She will survive, really no big deal, I come from the era where you could be hit with a ruler for a minor transgression. How fragile is she perhaps she needs some support.

You haven't answered the numerous posters that have asked why you aren't contacting the police for this (in your words) crime?

Your just nasty! Oh and just for reference , my daughter also has chronic asthma and does cross country for her school and she's never complained once! That's called RESILIENCE!
As you can tell she's very sporty, she enjoys games, competitions and thrives at being competitive... on the field!
Not in a music lesson where her only crime was not knowing the answer to a question!

well, again and again, what do you WANT to happen?

You "don't know what SHOULD happen" then what about.. nothing?
If you have no opinion or wish on the conclusion, "nothing" is as good as any.

No, you appear to be ignoring this advice.

Why?

There we go! So now, what's wrong with my 13 Yr old daughter being embarrassed and shook up?

In the heat of the moment, it's perhaps understandable. Weeks on, to the point she's missing one day of school a week, it's a worry. Her reaction does not fit the crime. I suspect you pursuing this complaint to the bitter end is doing her more harm than good.

So if she is so resilient what's the problem? It wasn't a crime and the teacher did a possibly foolish thing, but really not a huge deal no one got hurt, what do you want a witch hunt?

Tiredallthetimelaura, as someone who had a teacher in the 80s who threw chalk as punishment, screamed on top of his lungs at students, shamed them for small mistakes, ridiculed and threatened them, and nothing ever happened to him, I do understand your daughter‘s reaction. Some children might just shrug it off, but a child who is struggling with selective mutism anyway might clam up even more. I do understand why you want this acknowledged and resolved. If the school has only one music teacher, couldn’t you ask for mediation between this teacher and your daughter? A mediator - another teacher she trusts, the school‘s psychologist if there is one - might be able to help build a bridge.