moving primary school?

melbite

Hello,

My eldest is going to a small national school. They'll have the same teacher for the next three years and they are known to have bullying tendencies. I have noticed she's constantly giving out and shouting. Would you move them? If it was one year I'd probably not worry so much but three years is a long time for daily humiliation.

Cheers

lukesmom

That's a tough one. Has the teacher upset your own child? Would you consider speaking to the principal? Surely if they are known for bullying tendencies the principal would be well aware of it. I wouldn't do anything rash yet.

melbite

Hi yes unfortunately the teacher is also the principal, and its already a problem - I understand they've been asked to go to anger management classes. But right now she is happy and loves his classmates. She's mentioned how they can hear him shouting, but she's a sensitive soul - I know nowhere's perfect, but do worry about three years of it.

byhookorbycrook

Is this hearsay or do you have direct experience? Bullying at any level is not acceptable and if you have proper evidence, I would take it to the BOM.

melbite

apparently BOM are aware but tightlipped so hard to get feedback on how it is being addressed as she's not currently in her class...its a real shame otherwise I'd say its a great school

byhookorbycrook

It's all a bit vague, I don't understand why anyone would allow bullying to continue. If someone has a proper complaint, they need to get something done, bullying is very, very, serious at any level.

I would be cautious on what other people say, I'd prefer to see what transpires with your own child, as some people may have a different axe to grind. I would not let any child of mine be subjected to "daily humiliation." Likewise, if the principal is engaged in such behaviour in a small school, where they take a class for three years I can't see how "otherwise I'd say its a great school " holds up.

melbite

thanks hookorbycrook - just meant by to date its been a great school, but we're not in his class yet. I think we'll see - I would be afraid the move would be worse than the actual teacher.

jopax

I can definitely understand your concern, but I think your jumping the gun a bit too soon.

As long as your child is happy then I would take my cue from her/him.

If she does end up with this teacher I would just wait & see what happens.

I would believe that there probably is some truth in it.

The only thing is he might not bother your child at all.

If the worst scenario happened and she was getting bullied & was unhappy and there was no way to solve it, well then a big definite yes to move her.

The thing is now you are looking into the future & you cannot predict what will happen.

I hope it works out OK there, but if it doesn't another school is always an option.

Things always work out in the end, try not to worry.

melbite

thanks jopax,

byhookorbycrook

I think that's some good advice. though I would still be concerned that a principal in particular would be humiliating children every day, whether they were mine or not.