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The staffroom

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Was my advice correct?

10 replies

Upsidedownfrown · 22/12/2018 10:11

I'll be vague so this isn't too identifying but hopefully you'll get the idea.

I'm support staff in a primary school. I have a new (ish) member of staff who generally works with large groups of children but once a week is 1-1 for just an hour with one particular child. Yesterday she told me she'd bought this child a Christmas gift. She wasn't gifting any other children in the school. I advised her that really, she should be completely impartial and I didn't think it was a good idea to gift just one child as imo that's blatant favouritism although it was a lovely gesture. I did tell her to check with SLT though.

I don't know if she did check with SLT but I saw she took the gift home.

Was I wrong to say that? It made me a bit uneasy but now I'm second guessing myself. They haven't been doing this hour per week for very long and she seems a little fixated on this child.

OP posts:
Upsidedownfrown · 22/12/2018 10:13

Argh meant to post this in staffroom. Have asked for it to be moved

OP posts:
JoanneMumsnet · 22/12/2018 10:17

@Upsidedownfrown

Argh meant to post this in staffroom. Have asked for it to be moved

Moving it over for you now, OP. Smile

icklekid · 22/12/2018 10:23

Yes I think that is sensible advice.

Bobbiepin · 22/12/2018 10:25

Could easily be interpreted as grooming. Your advice was correct.

Upsidedownfrown · 22/12/2018 10:29

Thank you both. I don't normally second guess myself so not sure what's different this time! Think she might need a gentle chat next term! That's just what I needed to hear. I can switch off from work brain now. Happy holidays!

OP posts:
Pud2 · 22/12/2018 12:41

Grooming?!!

spaghettipeppers · 22/12/2018 13:02

You were right. I wouldn't be concerned about grooming but favouritism and over-attachment.

Bobbiepin · 22/12/2018 21:59

Giving gifts to individual young people is a known tactic to increase favour as a part of grooming. I'm not accusing your colleague of grooming but someone could easily misinterpret.

Cauliflowersqueeze · 26/12/2018 00:27

Very good advice. Yes re: grooming.

happystory · 26/12/2018 09:09

I'm sure your colleague just meant to do a nice thing, but she's a bit naive, and yes your advice was correct.

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