I am fuming with the school

[lougle]

After all our 'attendance issues' and my discussion with the Head Teacher, who told me that DD2 couldn't possibly have had a temperature at school, because they would have sent her home....

This morning DD2 didn't want to go to school - she told me she was poorly.

I told the teacher this morning that DD2 had said this (her temperature was 37.5, so just on the cusp of 'do not send to school', but of course if I don't send to school I have to get a doctor's note now).

DH went to collect DD2 this afternoon and teacher said 'DD2 has a headache and didn't go out to afternoon play.'

It turns out that DD2 told the teacher that she felt poorly before lunch and after lunch and the teacher didn't take action (other than letting her miss break time).

I took her temperature because she looked thoroughly miserable - 38.5 and rising.

Why can't they just do what they're meant to do?

Btw, she says when she swallows, her cheek hurts. I remember that from Mumps, but are there other things that can cause that?

Well done for such a measured response! You are the one coming out as reasonable and balanced in your approach. Not them!
I am not sure I would have been able to be so restrained...

Oh Lougle :)
My sons crap school sent me a letter when I de registered him.
The last sentance was
"We wish xxx a bright and happy future"
It felt like a kick in the chest and completely ignored my repeated concerns wrt sen policy and bullying policy.
Honk honk x

Oh!... and they also told me that I had a legal duty to inform the LA -incorrect and the wring contact details for the LA anyway!!
Idiots!

Wot just said. Pop it in the just-in-case file, and then forget it. They're nothing to do with you any more, youve sacked them from your dsughters education team... for gross misconduct. And you tried verbal and written warnings, and offered them training opportunities . This is a nasty letter from your disgruntled ex-employee, oh well, any faint hope they had of a reference is gone now .

Great letter you did. Thought about international diplomacy as a kids-grown-up-now career?

Thank you all - I feel honked up

zzzzz sorry you are going through it too.

DD2 is actually singing again and so excited. The wonderful thing is that her new school are learning about exactly the same topics as her old school. Her beloved Florence Nightingale, bodies and health, and the Senses.

So my plan of action:

-This week's homework for her old school was to make a 'healthy living' poster. Tomorrow, that can be her 'educational activity' and she can take it in to her new school when she visits, so that she has something to offer towards the topic.

-So that she doesn't feel like she sticks out, I'm going to try and get her a uniform tomorrow, from the office, so that she can go on Thursday in uniform. I figure that a) it will make her feel more 'part of' the new school b) she'll be able to blend in a bit so it's not overwhelming c) I'll be demonstrating that I support the policies of the new school.

-Still divided on whether I tell the Head Teacher what happened with old school (my friend whose child attends new school thinks I should, as does DH) or whether to just try and 'be the bigger person' and, despite knowing the HT will have told him everything from her point of view, just buckle down and try to demonstrate the truth.

I'll wait and see what the HT says in reply to my email. If she agrees that DD2 can say goodbye to her class teacher on Friday, then DH and I will take DD2 with us to collect her belongings. If she refuses or doesn't reply, I'll just send DH

So after worrying that they won't let her say goodbye, that she'll be upset, etc., I said to DD2 "DD2, when we go to get your things on Friday, I've asked if you can say goodbye to your teacher. We might not be able to, because she might be busy. Would you like to say goodbye or just send your card?"

She said 'just send the card'. I said 'are you sure you don't want to say goodbye'.

She said 'will I only have to go for one minute?'

She's so over it!

Lougle.
Well, proof positive you are doing the right thing!
My ds would have hated to go back into his old school.
I would have a word with the HT.
Don't bad mouth the old HT - although she deserves it - and use very neutral language.
Just say that the relationship with you and the old HT broke down and it became untenable for your dd to stay in an environment where she was so deeply unhappy.
Make it clear you are not upset/angry at the rules and proceedures in place, but how the rules and proceedures are enforced.
Emphasise that you want to work together with the HT and teachers to ensure your dd is happy and can access the curriculum successfully.
Good luck x

Well I think you have already said everything there is to say to the HT tbh. He knows why you were looking for another school and I would think it's plenty already.

What I would do is to be careful to keep them in the loop re dd2 illness, let them know if you have any insight from GP etc... as to what is going on.

When I changed school with the dcs, ds2 was starting Y1 after a disastrous Yr. The child who apparently was just lazy and didn't want to work/chose not to talk etc... suddenly became a child with language difficulties. I didn't have to say that to his teacher. She just knew within 2 days that there was something going on there. And then she put stuff in place and we worked together to support ds2.
All that to say that dd2 new teacher might surprise you. Perhaps let them get to know dd2 and then go and see her to check she has settle down etc?

Yes, that's my dilemma, LabelsGalore. I have two sets of people's opinions as to what I should do:

Group A (the vast majority): Be upfront with the new school, tell the Head how the old Head has treated you, make it clear that you care for DD2 and want to make her happy. Tell him all your concerns about her development and ask for SENCO appointment - all guns blazing.

Group B (me ): Accept that old school will tell new school everything from their perspective. Accept that new Head will be keeping a close eye on DD2 and watching me. Demonstrate that I am committed to DD2's education (ie. I've already taken the form signing up to parent mail in and bought her uniform; she's doing her old school's healthy living poster today and will take it with her tomorrow to her new school) that I will take her on time and communicate with them. Listen to any concerns the HT may have due to contact with old school. Hope that once I have the Paed's letter they will be more enlightened and it will somewhat cast doubt on old school. Also remembering that just because two schools are in the same cluster, doesn't mean that they agree about approaches to parents.

Gosh lougle, how did I miss this thread

What a week you have had, I hope you are ok.

When I moved Dd3 I only sent a brief note saying she would not be returning, it took them a month to send her records 1 mile down the road.

Dd3 was relieved about the move and for us it was very positive. I hope it will be for you too.

Good luck with the visit tomorrow

It's developed, Ineed, sadly www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/1672420-So-the-school-have-threatened-me-with-the-legal-team That's me.