Mumsnet users share the times teachers have gone out of their way to help their children with Sanctuary Spa

[JustineBMumsnet]

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School is not always plain sailing, and as parents you rely on teachers to guide your child through both the good times and the hard times. There are lots of teachers that go that extra mile to help your child, with the effect often having long-lasting impact. With this in mind, we thought it would be great to hear all your experiences of teachers who have gone out of their way to help your children, and the impression this left on both you and your child.

Here’s what the team at Sanctuary have to say:
“What better way to say Thank You to a great teacher than giving them the gift of indulgence and some time to relax, breathe & #LetGo at the end of term.
Whether you are looking to thank them for all they've taught you, for encouraging you to achieve your best or for simply surviving the year, help your favourite teacher indulge in a pampering session with a luxurious Sanctuary gift.”

How has a teacher stepped in and helped your child at school? Which challenges did they help your child to overcome? What positive effect did this have on you and your child? How did you show the teacher how much you appreciated their help?

Whichever ways teachers have helped your child, share your experiences and post them on the thread below. Everyone who does so will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw

MNHQ

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I’ve been saying for years that something wasn’t quite right with my ds. But he was ‘fine’ at school so I got nowhere. Finally this year (he’s in year 4) his teachers (he has 2 as they job share) have said they suspect he may have dyspraxia and He’s been referred for an assessment. They’ve also noticed his concentration and processing aren’t that great. They’ve gone out of their way to make adjustments for him already even though he’s not diagnosed and I’m so so grateful that I’m no longer shouting in to the void and feeling like a bad parent because he’d meltdown all the time because he couldn’t do something.

Almost four years ago when my daughter was 7 years old my son was stillborn. It took us 4 years to get pregnant and the day we went in for my C-section we were told he had no heartbeat. My daughter was at the time quite blasé about it all. Wondering what to do with all the new baby things, his bedroom etc. We were shocked she took it so well. Well she wasn't she was hiding it all inside and she was angry and lashing out at friends, teachers. Basically having a breakdown 😢 we tried everything to find some way to help her, every step we took was met with some sort of block and no further help given. A teacher at the school actually went for training in seasons for growth and before during and after the training she gave everything she could to make sure my daughter would be ok and had outlets when she needed it. Seasons for growth was amazing for my child and it's all thanks to this teacher who went above and beyond. I can't be certain it was all just for my child as a lot of kids needed this too but I will never forget what she did for my daughter or me.

Mine's a simple one. DD struggles with reading and spelling, and hated anything to do with these at the start of this year. She was put in a spelling intervention group, which is pitched to make sure it has no stigma attached, and the teacher worked SO HARD with her. When I asked if I could help, they just said "carry on inviting her to read with you, but don't push it and don't change anything so it doesn't become a chore. Let us do the rest."

She has 'graduated' from the group and improved her spelling score from 79 to 102 thanks to their efforts. I'm told that below 85 is a concern, but above 100 is right for her age. She is delighted with herself, and now reads with me every night.

She properly enjoys school now that she can access it. This wouldn't have happened if they hadn't stepped in.

My DD was signed off for two weeks with suspected swine flu, we were overseas. She missed 2 tests, aged 6 at the time. One teacher was really nasty, told DD she would doing 3 tests in her lunch break and would not be able to eat lunch or play with her friends, and she had to get 100% in each test. DD was distraught.

The more senior teacher had stern words and rescheduled the tests then helped DD with the work that was missed while she was off.

DS had a wonderful teacher in year 1. DS is ASD and the teacher was so kind with him giving him cuddles when he needed it, giving him year 3 maths which he loved and baking cupcakes for the whole class every day, some days he had 3. He loved that year at school after hating reception. She later became the SENCO and an amazing one she is too.

Out current teacher has made DC absolutely believe in themselves by getting the essence of who they are. Its little touches but she remembers things they have said and things they like and you can tell each child is seen as unique by her. She really celebrates their differences and the reports were a joy a read. Must have taken hours!

My dd has just finished reception year today - she's had a great first year and loves school. That is testament to her teacher who welcomes her at school with such joy and supports her to express herself and has helped her make friendships across a large classroom.

My son's teacher is never afraid to offer a cuddle to the little ones at the start of the day if they are feeling a bit down.

A little but kind one. DH and I both work full time and frankly were flying by the seat of our pants. My workload is especially heavy at the moment. DS went on a school trip recently. I'd barely thought about spending money and it hadn't occured to DH at all.

During the morning DS's teacher messaged to ask if I'd intended to give him some spending money and without having to ask, lent him what I'd intended to give. I think that as a working parent herself, she gets it. It made me feel much better.

We are so lucky with our teachers. DD is adopted and often goes through some tough times. Her teachers have been understanding at what issues she faces and have accommodated her behaviour. Sometimes all this means is just a bit of leeway with her, at other times more in depth intervention. They make her feel safe and valued which as a parent is all I could ask.

My boys music teacher has gone “above and beyond” for both my older boys. He has phoned me at home when ds1 was struggling, brought in his old piano teacher to accompany both boys for exams and given his free time to tutor them. They both have SEN’s and would not have got their advanced higher music (and they both got A’s) without him.

When my now 8 year old was about 6 he had a massive accident at school of the poo variety and one of his TA's showered him and got him fresh clothes before I got there to collect him because he was mortified. That TA is now getti g my 4 year old in September and I couldn't be more happy about it x

Two teachers stick in my mind as noticing my son. He's well behaved and quiet, so gets overlooked a lot. One referred to him as being at risk of being invisible and she was right as he's generally in the background. These two ensured he got his turns at star of week or was noticed.

One teacher really stands out for getting to know my son and praising his good points when there were a lot of negative things happening. His encouragement and acceptance of my son really made a difference at the time. Without him, my sons mental health would have been in a far worse state. I'll never forget it.

Couldn't fault our teachers at the DCs daycare nursery/afterschool club. They have helped with toilet training, difficult phases the kids were going through. They have given consistency and support on so many occasions.

My son's nursery key worker was a gem. The first time he went out of nursery on a trip I admitted I was nervous about him being away from the nursery. She said I understand, and when they were back she phoned me to tell me he was fine. We still miss her now he's at school.

My son has statemented autism and attends special needs school. This year they suggested he sat his SATs he’s 11. This was a big deal for Thomas. But with his amazing teachers support he excelled get top grades.

My Daughter decided she didn't want to go to dance class anymore for no obvious reason. Her teacher told her about her own experience at dance school and encouraged her to continue and she is now loving every session.

My son had a very difficult time in Year 3. It felt as though I was constantly called in to talk about his poor behaviour.

Thankfully, his Year 4 teacher was a lovely, kind, patient NQT who managed to turn his behaviour around. He had a wonderful year, full of positive experiences and I cannot thank that teacher enough for her positive, sunny approach.

My son's pre-school teacher went out of her way to work with my son playing various games to help improve his coordination

My daughter’s teacher stopped at our house on the way home to give her a spare fairy costume that was left over from the school play. One had been given out at school after a ‘lottery’ from all the children who wished to own it but my daughter been unsuccessful and had cried for the whole of the rest of the day. I had felt that experience was a good learning opportunity showing that you don’t always get what you want in life but the teacher’s kindness was wonderful and the joy on my daughter’s face, and the pleasure she gained from wearing the costume was wonderful.

My DC broke his leg playing sport and had to return to school in a wheelchair.
His original class was upstairs so the school changed him to a new downstairs class.
The school let me drive right into the grounds and park up close which made things a bit easier as the wheelchair was adult size and very heavy.
He was then allocated a TA who helped him with managing at toilet times and lunch.
All the children in his class were very excited to be allowed to push him to lunch and out to play everyday and took it in turns.
I was very worried about how he would cope at first but when I went to collect him on day one and found him being pushed at full pelt up and down the playground by the other children so he could join in their football game, I knew I need not worry.

Walking all the way to our house from school to ensure child had got home safely and had someone there to meet him - this following their own mistake in letting him out of school when he had in fact had been booked into after-school club and should have remained at school.

All my daughter's teachers have been wonderful! She was really helped in the second year of school as she was a new student (we moved halfway through). The Teaching Assistant, Mrs Collins, put her up for the part of Nancy in the year's play of Oliver Twist. It really gave my daughter a boost of confidence and has secured her love of drama ever since.