Raising concerns about teacher

[qwert1]

Really not sure how best to raise this.

DS has had the same teacher last academic year and this academic year for a subject he will be taking at GCSE.

DS may not be perfect but he is honest.

He says the teaching in this subject is poor. A lot of the class have been failing tests (barring those who are cheating, per DS). According to DS, the teacher is not covering everything that comes up in the tests: different sets take the test at different times.

He does not want me to raise with the School unless I do on an anonymous basis. I've explained to him the limitations of complaining anonymously.

He is getting fed up that the so- called cheaters are passing and is concerned re quality of teaching impacting his learning. Explained that they are only cheating themselves and i told him that I was pleased he wasn't cheating. He goes to a "clinic" in this subject in an effort to try and keep up.

How would you deal with this?

Any comments or thoughts would really be appreciated.

Many thanks.

I would make an appointment with the head of department to discuss. They won't admit the teacher is poor, even if he is, but you could raise concerns and ask how particular issues could be addressed.

I wouldn't go in, as ds has asked you not to raise it unless anonymously.

He has shared his frustration with you, but would be less likely to do so in the future if you ignore his wishes.

If this is a GCSE subject I don't see how you can not raise it. Speak to the Head of Department - an email would do if that's easier, and explain your DS's concerns. And it may be your DS has got the wrong end of the stick, it may be that the HoD tells you everything is fine, but it may trigger a bit more of a watchful eye on that set and that teacher.

If your ds is correct and the teacher isn't very good then the hod already knows. Teachers are regularly observed by people who know a lot more about teaching than your ds.

As a HOD I personally wish parents complained more about this sort of thing. If the teaching is poor the HOD will know already but parental complaints give an opportunity for specific issues to be raised.

Id email in your concerns and say in the email that ds has asked you not to say anything so please dont mention it to him. Then see what they say- as pp has said sometimes hods want/need evidence like this to do something about them. When i was hod there was a particularly poor teacher who did FA but the kids didnt complain because they loved the fact he did nothing with them. Did my head in!!