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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Help - massive row with Head Teacher

10 replies

RuninwithHead · 06/03/2015 12:10

I work in a very small school (Secondary) and have done for about 20 years The Head and I teach the same subject, although I do the bulk of the teaching and he does a tiny bit. He does, therefore, understand my subject.

Yesterday, I was teaching a class. One of the pupils put their hand up and told me, "Mr X is tearing down our posters, Miss". I hushed him and carried on with the lesson. When I looked, the Head had torn down their posters which they had displayed in the corridor and along the stairs - all part of a project which they are in the middle of completing - part of which is about creating a display, part about delivering a talk.

I spoke to the Deputy who said he would have a word but, in the middle of our talk, in came the Head. It was awkward, so I confronted him about it. His only response was, "It's done now" and to storm out of the room. I pointed out that these pupils are only 12, that he knew about the project (I have done it many times before) and that this was their work.

He has since spoken to me only to deal with other business, even though there have been plenty of opportunities to apologise.

Should I demand an apology? It seems a bit like he is cracking up to me as he has done a few really unreasonable things recently, such as bawling at a new member of staff for something she could not possibly have know not to do. We are under a lot of pressure with a new curriculum, and with staffing reductions so I can see why he is stressed.

But, should he apologise to me? To the pupils? They have lost a major part of their work and I will probably have to cancel, or really curtail the project.

OP posts:
Nightingalemumoftwo · 06/03/2015 12:16

What a shame to see the pupils' work being thrown away! A very disrespectful gesture.
The twat should apologise to you and the pupils, but he won't.

VivaLeBeaver · 06/03/2015 12:22

I hope one of your colleagues isn't a MUmsnetter and reads this!

I don't think you can demand an apology, he obviously doesn't want to apologise so no point. Just concentrate on doing what you can to rectify the project.

RuninwithHead · 06/03/2015 13:11

No way I will be found out. I have changed a number of details and there are many hundreds of schools. Also, few colleagues are Mums!

He has form for never apologising so I probably shouldn't expect one.

Difficult to justify his actions on Monday when the pupils ask, "Miss, did you get our posters back from Mr X?" Not sure how to handle the general unreasonable action of the Head when I don't want to defend him as I feel he has done something really terrible.

Not just one or two posters either - the pupils had them all over the place.

OP posts:
guilianna · 06/03/2015 18:59

something similar happened to me today - in KS1!

maskingtherealme · 06/03/2015 20:44

I had a run in with my head back in September after 4 years of a good working relationship.

Took time off, union involvement (not just me), went back, head ignores me, doesn't acknowledge me blah, blah, blah.

Don't stress. It's THEM that are stressing. Jobs are on the line if schools don't perform to the governments wacky targets and expectations.

Be thankful you're not a head!

morethanpotatoprints · 06/03/2015 20:52

Those poor kids, lets hope one or more of their parents call to find out why this was done.
I remember why I don't send my dd to a state school now.
I can't believe that HTs or other teachers could get away with such a disregard for their students.
I don't mean you OP when I say teachers, just that its not only heads who act like arses.
it's such a shame there are good teachers out there who are treated terribly.
Thanks to you OP for giving a damn.

Singleandproud · 06/03/2015 21:02

Would it be worthwhile having a chat with the chair of governors if this isn't the first incident?

Torwood · 06/03/2015 21:10

It sounds a very strange thing to do? I have never know any display that contained children's work to be ripped down in 20yrs of teaching. Always taken down carefully and work handed back to the pupil who did it. He sounds slightly unhinged tbh

Callooh · 06/03/2015 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Finola1step · 06/03/2015 22:09

I would take a step back from this one. Watch and wait.

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