Fuming- student complaint

[Anonymouseky]

I work in a college and have one class in particular who is very challenging. This is mainly due to the behaviour of 2 learners in particular. They have zero manners and question everything I say. If I say they need to include x, y, z in their answers, they will shout out that it’s not needed. They act like the experts in the room. They have complained to other (more senior) members of staff that they are not learning enough and this is leading to scrutiny. I have had books looked at and other various things requested. I am deliberately keeping this post vague to maintain anonymity. I feel continually undermined and bullied in my own classroom by these two students. The rest of the class seem utterly exasperated with them and their bad manners and questioning of everything. These students have low grades and yet seem to think they know everything. Their parents are now apparently requesting various information and this is really winding me up and causing excessive stress as it is completely unjustified. I get really good results, have over two decades of experience and have never been questioned in this way before. The fact that I have had books looked at by stealth and other things requested is not sitting well with me. Has anyone experienced this before and does anyone have any advice? These two learners absolutely have it in for me and I’ve heard them colluding in the classroom. It’s making me feel vulnerable.

I know it is very hard but try to think of it as SLT etc gathering evidence to support you. They can say to parents they have done a book check and everything is good.

You know you are teaching well, keep applying behaviour policy and keep going.

They have really got under your skin, haven't they? You know that you do a good job, you have years of experience, you can respond to anything they come up with. I also agree that your SLT is supporting you by clarifying how you work, this isn't a witch hunt OP. I obviously don't know why this is causing you this amount of distress but it might be worth taking it somewhere outside of work (counselling) if you wanted to discuss it further and in confidence.

Thanks both, there’s other information I would like to give to explain why this is really getting to me, but it would be too identifying. If I didn’t have to teach this group (or rather these two students in particular), a lot of my stress would be alleviated. It has really got under my skin due to the back story. I feel like some of the staff involved in the scrutiny may not have my back as I have seen it happen to other colleagues. All I know is that I can’t bear the thought of teaching these two learners for the rest of the academic year. It’s never been an easy job, but this (amongst other work related issues) are causing me to contemplate leaving the job.