Complaint about teacher

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 8:44pm #1

How do I make a complaint about a teacher in my sons school ?
Do I just complain to the school or can I go straight to the dept of education ?

JW91 · 10-09-2009 8:46pm

I think the obvious question here is what is it exactly that you want to complain about?

DancingQueen:) · 10-09-2009 8:47pm

Can't be much help on how to make a complaint but i know in my school parents made complaints about teachers, nothing happened and we still had the same teachers. Hopefully that doesn't happen in all schools though.

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 8:52pm

The teacher is bullying students.
The teacher is not teaching the subject.
The teacher keeps putting students out of the class for no reason.
The teacher was suspended and got her place back with the aid of a solicitor.
The school had to pay for grinds for the sixth years before their exams.

jumpguy · 10-09-2009 8:56pm

I'm only a student myself but common sense tells me to follow a chain of command. Talk to the principal first, if you're not satisfied, talk to the department.

JW91 · 10-09-2009 8:59pm

Well if what you have said is true then I'm sure the principal is trying everything he/she can to get rid of this teacher and I doubt there's much point in you complaining.

Also if the teacher has a permanent position then I think it's extremely difficult for the teacher to be sacked

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 9:04pm

JW91 wrote: »

Well if what you have said is true then I'm sure the principal is trying everything he/she can to get rid of this teacher and I doubt there's much point in you complaining.

Also if the teacher has a permanent position then I think it's extremely difficult for the teacher to be sacked

The principle wants the teacher gone but his hands are tied, the teacher refuses to talk to him or a parent. My son is entitled to his education but cant get it because of this teacher.

sean0 · 10-09-2009 9:06pm

Is it not possible for your son to go to another class i.e same subject different teacher?

Sounds like one of those teachers who can't discipline a class, it gets to the stage where the only way she can control a class is by removing disruptive pupils and at times those who do little end up getting in trouble just out of pure frustration from the teacher.

The teacher can't control the class and therefore the course will never get finished.Seriously I've been in this situation with teachers before.
If she can't control the class trust me your son will learn nothing and may aswell just not go to the class!

Witcher · 10-09-2009 9:06pm

2qk4u wrote: »

The principle wants the teacher gone but his hands are tied, the teacher refuses to talk to him or a parent. My son is entitled to his education but cant get it because of this teacher.

So how is telling the principal what he already knows going to help him?

sean0 · 10-09-2009 9:08pm

Get together with other parents and demand action to be taking, someone will have to take note!

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 9:09pm

Today my son was one of the last into the classroom and was looking for a seat, the teacher called him to the top of the class, when he was standing there the teacher just kept telling him to wait there for a minute, then when all the seats were filled the teacher turned to my son and told him to get out of the class because it was full. This is not the first time my son has been put out of the class and he is not the only one.

sean0 · 10-09-2009 9:12pm

I don't understand how the class was full, how is it possible for there not to be enough seats?
There has to be enough seats/desks for everyone, this is a complaint the principal should answer for.

Lawliet · 10-09-2009 9:13pm

The department sounds like your best bet. Could you get the parents association behind you? Add some validity to your complaint. And you could try and get some other angry parents to complain as well. I'd say the department would be more likely to do something if they're constantly being contacted about this teacher.

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 9:14pm

sean0 wrote: »

Get together with other parents and demand action to be taking, someone will have to take note!

I am trying to get other parents and considering going to the papers..

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 9:15pm

sean0 wrote: »

I don't understand how the class was full, how is it possible for there not to be enough seats?
There has to be enough seats/desks for everyone, this is a complaint the principal should answer for.

There is not enough tables and chair for everyone, they had to borrow 3 chairs from another room for the last class.

sean0 · 10-09-2009 9:17pm

Evening Herald is the paper to go to I reckon if you go that route.They covered similar stories like this before

Piste · 10-09-2009 9:19pm

rainbowtrout, Spurious or deemark might be best able to answer this question, as they;re teachers. I'll PM them about the thread.

The chain of command is usually principal < Board of Management < Department of Education. Write a letter to the principal stating clearly your concerns about the teacher and informing them that if a suitable outcome isn't obtained then you'll be taking it to the BOM. It might be a good idea to get the parents' association on your side and see if any other parents have found the teacher to be as bad as your son has. You complaint might have more weight if it's supported by the parents' association.

10-09-2009 9:20pm

sean0 wrote: »

I don't understand how the class was full, how is it possible for there not to be enough seats?
There has to be enough seats/desks for everyone, this is a complaint the principal should answer for.

The problem is that all of the cuts made to education this year meant that some teachers without permanent jobs were let go from schools. so all the kids that were in their classes had to be shared out between others. this means that classrooms are overcrowded and there literally isnt enough room for everyone in a class. In the school i work in i heard of a class having 37 students in it! madness! and in recent years classrooms have been built smaller based on the assumption that class sizes would be reducing rather than growing, as the government had promised. so now they've ended up crowding kids into small rooms and expecting them to learn in cramped conditions! not much a principal can do if all the rooms in a school are the same size and he isnt allowed to hire teachers!!

OP you could contact the Teaching Council, who are supposed to regulate the teaching profession.

ronrar · 10-09-2009 9:21pm

2qk4u wrote: »

How do I make a complaint about a teacher in my sons school ?
Do I just complain to the school or can I go straight to the dept of education ?

Don't waste your time complaining to the school. Most of them are buddies and won't do a thing about it.

stainluss · 10-09-2009 9:25pm

2qk4u wrote: »

The teacher is bullying students.
The teacher is not teaching the subject.
The teacher keeps putting students out of the class for no reason.
The teacher was suspended and got her place back with the aid of a solicitor.
The school had to pay for grinds for the sixth years before their exams.

By the sound of things the principal of the school is retarded:rolleyes:
Best send a letter to the boys in charge, and try to get a few others to do the same.

The more letters they get, the more likely they will follow up:)

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 9:25pm

Piste wrote: »

rainbowtrout, Spurious or deemark might be best able to answer this question, as they;re teachers. I'll PM them about the thread.

The chain of command is usually principal < Board of Management < Department of Education. Write a letter to the principal stating clearly your concerns about the teacher and informing them that if a suitable outcome isn't obtained then you'll be taking it to the BOM. It might be a good idea to get the parents' association on your side and see if any other parents have found the teacher to be as bad as your son has. You complaint might have more weight if it's supported by the parents' association.

We are trying contact other parents and the parents association and will be writing a letter. My concern is that this will drag out and these students will miss out and fail their leaving cert over this teacher, im just amazed that someone in this position can do this to these kids and nothing has been done about it.

Reillyman · 10-09-2009 9:28pm

2qk4u wrote: »

My concern is that this will drag out and these students will miss out and fail their leaving cert over this teacher, im just amazed that someone in this position can do this to these kids and nothing has been done about it.

Welcome to the Irish Public Service...

spurious · 10-09-2009 9:30pm

Sounds like the teacher is frustrated with the effect the cutbacks are having.
Was the class always that big? Are both levels in together? Is the class size now beyond the size the classroom was intended for (extra desks needed)?

If the teacher is bullying your child by repeatedly targetting him/her, keep a record of all incidents. Write to the Principal and Board of Management/VEC (whatever applies). On Health and Safety grounds your child is entitled to be protected.

Don't rely solely on your child's account of events.
Be prepared for a long drawn out battle.

You won't get far saying things like 'the teacher doesn't teach the subject' - the school will just have to show one or two children passing to refute that allegation.
Whether people go for grinds is neither here nor there.
Putting children outside the door is an issue for the school's insurers.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the teacher being suspended and getting her place back with the aid of a solicitor, how could you possibly know details of any in-school legal issues? If private business is common knowledge the teacher will have a very strong case herself against the school. For your own protection, I'd steer clear of mentioning anything like that in public, but absolutely if you can show a pattern of repeat behaviour targetting your child above all others in the class, then pursue it with the school management/owners.

I doubt the papers will cover a bullying story, for all the reasons mentioned above, but overcrowded classes are only the tip of the ice-berg of a story on the effects of the cutbacks - they might fly with that one.
Nonetheless, pursue the bullying allegation, but be careful.

sean0 · 10-09-2009 9:34pm

37 students in a class! not fair on the students or the teacher.Just shouldn't be allowed to happen.I know the sizes of these classrooms and at most you could have is 30 and they still feel crowded.Terrible conditions for both teachers and students can't believe the government gets away with this!

randylonghorn · 10-09-2009 9:39pm

stainluss wrote: »

By the sound of things the principal of the school is retarded :rolleyes:

Or his / her hands are tied by legal eagles and the unions.

As Piste and spurious have said, the first step would be to write to the Principal; if things aren't sorted, the BoM; if it really isn't possible to get it sorted at local level, then the Department.

A note of warning: if I see anything in this thread that allows the teacher or the school to be identified, it will disappear forthwith. Boards doesn't need solicitors camping out on the doorstep.

That is NOT a slap at anyone who has posted so far, you have all been careful and circumspect, especially the OP, and my thanks for that.

Hillel · 10-09-2009 9:43pm

2qk4u wrote: »

How do I make a complaint about a teacher in my sons school ?
Do I just complain to the school or can I go straight to the dept of education ?

The school should have a written policy, supplied to all parents/guardians, covering the complaints procedure. If it exists, you should follow it. If it doesn't....

Make an appointment to meet the teacher, this is generally arranged through the school secretary. I would recommend both parents/guardians attending, if possible, so there is a witness. Talk the concern through with the teacher and try and reach an agreement. If you do reach an agreement write a short, courteous, follow on note to the teacher. This should briefly summarise the outcome of the meeting. Send it by recorded delivery.

If you can't reach an agreement, explain to the teacher that you are not satisfied and that you will be following up with the School Principal. (If the teacher refuses to meet you, you should also go direct to the School Principal.) Take the same approach with the School Principal as outlined above.

If you are not satisfied with the approach being taken by the Principal you should write to the Chairman of the School Board of Management. (Write care of the school using recorded delivery or registered post. If appropriate, mark the letter "Private")

Once the above steps are exhausted you can then go to the "School Patron", generally the local Bishop for Catholic Schools, or direct to the Dept. of Ed.

The approach above means that you are making every effort to resolve the problem in the easiest way possible. It is also most likely to be the most successful. If it is a simple misunderstanding it can be cleared up quickly with the teacher. If it is the teacher that is at fault, going to the Principal will help him/her do their job.

Generally, neither the teacher nor the Principal will want an escalation to the school board. I have seen issues resolved immediately before they were to be discussed at a BOM meeting.

The one thing you shouldn't do is give up. Most issues are dealt with professionally by all involved. Even where the aren't, BOM's have a legal duty of are to their pupils and you can insist taht they take any action necessary.

Good Luck.

rainbowtrout · 10-09-2009 9:53pm

2qk4u wrote: »

The principle wants the teacher gone but his hands are tied, the teacher refuses to talk to him or a parent. My son is entitled to his education but cant get it because of this teacher.

There could possible ongoing issues going on in the background between teacher and school that you are not aware of.

2qk4u wrote: »

Today my son was one of the last into the classroom and was looking for a seat, the teacher called him to the top of the class, when he was standing there the teacher just kept telling him to wait there for a minute, then when all the seats were filled the teacher turned to my son and told him to get out of the class because it was full. This is not the first time my son has been put out of the class and he is not the only one.

Not agreeing with what happened, but this could be to do with class sizes, if the number of students exceeds the recommended class size (and it sounds like it has), the teacher could be following union guidelines and refusing to take anymore than the maximum into their class.. but obviously other issues have been outlined already as well.

2qk4u wrote: »

I am trying to get other parents and considering going to the papers..

Hold off on that until you have gone through the proper channels, papers tend to sensationalise stuff and pick on one point. There are stories every year of the type 'Student thrown out of school a week before the leaving, not allowed to sit exams' and when you dig a little deeper you find there's good reason for it but this is glossed over. It might give you publicity but if it's found there are no/weak grounds for your case, it won't help.

Piste wrote: »

rainbowtrout, Spurious or deemark might be best able to answer this question, as they;re teachers. I'll PM them about the thread.

The chain of command is usually principal < Board of Management < Department of Education. Write a letter to the principal stating clearly your concerns about the teacher and informing them that if a suitable outcome isn't obtained then you'll be taking it to the BOM. It might be a good idea to get the parents' association on your side and see if any other parents have found the teacher to be as bad as your son has. You complaint might have more weight if it's supported by the parents' association.

This is pretty much what I said to Piste by PM. What I also said was to start taking note of everything and keep a written record. Write to the BOM. Request a meeting with them if you want, but do remember there are two sides to every story and the teacher has a right to reply. Not saying you are wrong but the teacher will have their own version of what is going on.

eg. Teacher is bullying me - Student has to be reprimanded for not doing homework
eg. I was thrown out of class - Class size exceeds recommended numbers for Health and Safety

Also students are in the duty of care of the teacher during class time, they should not be put outside the door.

newbie85 wrote: »

OP you could contact the Teaching Council, who are supposed to regulate the teaching profession.

They are only a regulatory body, they essentially are compiling a register of qualified teachers, that's about it.

spurious wrote: »

Sounds like the teacher is frustrated with the effect the cutbacks are having.
Was the class always that big? Are both levels in together? Is the class size now beyond the size the classroom was intended for (extra desks needed)?

If the teacher is bullying your child by repeatedly targetting him/her, keep a record of all incidents. Write to the Principal and Board of Management/VEC (whatever applies). On Health and Safety grounds your child is entitled to be protected.

Don't rely solely on your child's account of events.
Be prepared for a long drawn out battle.

You won't get far saying things like 'the teacher doesn't teach the subject' - the school will just have to show one or two children passing to refute that allegation.
Whether people go for grinds is neither here nor there.
Putting children outside the door is an issue for the school's insurers.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the teacher being suspended and getting her place back with the aid of a solicitor, how could you possibly know details of any in-school legal issues? If private business is common knowledge the teacher will have a very strong case herself against the school. For your own protection, I'd steer clear of mentioning anything like that in public, but absolutely if you can show a pattern of repeat behaviour targetting your child above all others in the class, then pursue it with the school management/owners.

I doubt the papers will cover a bullying story, for all the reasons mentioned above, but overcrowded classes are only the tip of the ice-berg of a story on the effects of the cutbacks - they might fly with that one.
Nonetheless, pursue the bullying allegation, but be careful.

+1 on everything spurious said

2qk4u · 10-09-2009 10:05pm

Thanks for the replys, some good advice there.

Just to clarify - this teacher did the same to last years class and following a complaint the teacher was suspended but challenged it with a solicitor and got reinstated.

I am going to go ahead with a complaint to the board of managment after the teachers behavior today, my other son suffered last year over this teacher and im not letting this go.

I will follow the procedure for complaints and if this is not resolved I will bring it to the attention of the childrens ombudsman.

implausible · 10-09-2009 10:08pm

Hillel's advice is good-following the procedures and chain of command is your only option. Bear in mind that every school does not have a complaints procedure and that the DES will not be interested in one parent's complaint about one teacher in one school and will only redirect you to the school. Going to the media creates a risk of slander.

The other thing I'd like to add is: don't hold your breath. Under-performing permanent teachers are more or less impossible to get rid of. The word of a few disgruntled students and parents won't do it. However, if a large group of parents decide to take action, all incidents of inappropriate behaviour need to be documented, but the wheels move very slowly. Even if something happens, your son could be facing his exams before anything happens. Your most expedient course of action is to get your son moved to another class.

randylonghorn · 10-09-2009 10:16pm

deemark wrote: »

Going to the media creates a risk of slander.

Just one additional comment on this: it also escalates the situation, a bit like going to nuclear war over a border skirmish. You risk facing closed doors where you might otherwise have got some help, or at the least having everyone wary of even speaking to you for fear they will find themselves quoted in the newspaper.

bernardo mac · 10-09-2009 10:17pm

It is likely your son has a Class Teacher,that is the person who monitors his progress and should be aware of any day to day difficulties that one of his/her students is experiencing and will communicate concerns to the Year Head who in turn reports to the Principal,if need be.And in your case this is,obviously,necessary.Arrange a meeting with all three and have the situation clarified.A healthy home/school relationship is vital to a student's educational welfare and I'm sure your active interest will be most welcome.

rainbowtrout · 10-09-2009 10:17pm

deemark wrote: »

Hillel's advice is good-following the procedures and chain of command is your only option. Bear in mind that every school does not have a complaints procedure and that the DES will not be interested in one parent's complaint about one teacher in one school and will only redirect you to the school. Going to the media creates a risk of slander.

The other thing I'd like to add is: don't hold your breath. Under-performing permanent teachers are more or less impossible to get rid of. The word of a few disgruntled students and parents won't do it. However, if a large group of parents decide to take action, all incidents of inappropriate behaviour need to be documented, but the wheels move very slowly. Even if something happens, your son could be facing his exams before anything happens. Your most expedient course of action is to get your son moved to another class.

Probably the best course of action in the short term. As deemark said, these things tend to get drawn out and it could be the end of the school year before anything actually happens.

If you can't get your son moved to a different class, then your only option is perhaps grinds, obviously this will be of benefit to your son, but of course works detrimentally if reports from this class are accurate, as good results will indicate that the class is being taught adequately, regardless of where the student received their knowledge.

Also the word of one parent might just be seen as a clash of personalities between the teacher and student. It doesn't help if the student has a track record of being a troublemaker (not suggesting that your son is, but reports do need to be consistent and perhaps not just from one person).

Larianne · 10-09-2009 10:26pm

2qk4u wrote: »

The principle wants the teacher gone but his hands are tied, the teacher refuses to talk to him or a parent. My son is entitled to his education but cant get it because of this teacher.

I went through school thinking I was shockin at Maths. I did an access course last year and came out with 92% in the Maths exam. Horrible to know there's teachers out there that just can't teach and end up giving kids low confidence in their ability.

I wouldn't go to the papers. Go over the principal's head is the way to go like others have said.

pjtb · 10-09-2009 11:26pm

There was a teacher in my school that parents had been trying to get rid of for years, decades even. This teacher used to
-read the paper during class
-come in 5 minutes late, say there was too much time gone to start, so let the class do their homework for the other 35 minutes
-bring students out golfing during english class
-show the class videos of himself on holidays, and loosely connect it to the theme of geography
When he actually did teach, he taught outdated material/methods, very poorly. He never taught a Leaving Cert class, while I was there anyway, the principal obviously knew that there would be war if he taught anything other than Junior Cert subjects (which obviously weren't as important, but should still not have been neglected).
This teacher never got 'the sack', he retired recently, and it seems that that was the only way to get rid of him. It wasn't early retirement mind, he was the right age.

Another teacher used to lock himself and his students in to the room, so that the student who came a little bit late couldn't get in. Those who were late waited outside for a while before he let them in and gave out to them. This was in the last few years. This HAS to have been against insurance policy, especially seen as the class was locked into a SCIENCE lab, where anything could have happened.

How teachers get away with these things, I don't know, but unfortunately it seems that the only way a teacher can be fired is if some sort of abuse occurs. It's a terrible state of affairs.

Hillel · 11-09-2009 12:05pm

deemark wrote: »

Hillel's advice is good-following the procedures and chain of command is your only option. Bear in mind that every school does not have a complaints procedure and that the DES will not be interested in one parent's complaint about one teacher in one school and will only redirect you to the school. Going to the media creates a risk of slander.

The other thing I'd like to add is: don't hold your breath. Under-performing permanent teachers are more or less impossible to get rid of. The word of a few disgruntled students and parents won't do it. However, if a large group of parents decide to take action, all incidents of inappropriate behaviour need to be documented, but the wheels move very slowly. Even if something happens, your son could be facing his exams before anything happens. Your most expedient course of action is to get your son moved to another class.

randylonghorn wrote: »

Just one additional comment on this: it also escalates the situation, a bit like going to nuclear war over a border skirmish. You risk facing closed doors where you might otherwise have got some help, or at the least having everyone wary of even speaking to you for fear they will find themselves quoted in the newspaper.

All schools are supposed to have procedures in place. If your son's school doesn't, follow the procedure I outlined. You are putting down a marker at each stage that you are serious and will not be fobbed of. In my experience it will get things sorted.

I agree with deemark and randylonghorn that you don't want to escalate the situation, unnecessarily. What you want is to sort out the situation for your child, in what is an already stressful year. Simply work towards a resolution that benefits him the most. (I would also be cautious, at least as a first resort, about involving any third party - including the parents association. The more people are involved the more difficult it will be to reach an amicable solution in a timely fashion.)

Under no circumstances try to "sort out" the teacher. If there really is a problem, you are helping both the Principal and the BOM by going through all the steps. Any committed Principal, and experienced BOM will want to address problems with staff. However, as other posters have said, this takes a very considerable amount of time. Leave them to it.

K4t · 11-09-2009 2:58pm

I wish parents went to this much effort to get disruptive students thrown out of a school. There are far more of them than bad teachers.

Niamhf · 11-09-2009 3:46pm

I advise that you get your son grinds in the subject concerned before it's too late. I was in a similar position during my junior cert for Irish (HL), my mum complained about the teacher to the principal but nothing was done! The teacher retired when I got to TY! The institute of education in leeson street offer Saturday classes which are great, many students study subjects outside of school there, everything is covered and the notes are amazing!

Hillel · 11-09-2009 4:47pm

Niamhf wrote: »

I advise that you get your son grinds in the subject concerned before it's too late.

Unfortunately, Niamhf is right, if you can afford to, arranging grinds might be a useful fall-back position

Niamhf wrote: »

I was in a similar position during my junior cert for Irish (HL), my mum complained about the teacher to the principal but nothing was done!

That is why it is essential to go through the procedure I outlined, 1st the teacher, then the Principal, then the BOM, - all formal and recorded. "Doing nothing" is then not an option for the Principal." In fairness, unless you go through such a procedure there is very little that a Principal, or indeed a BOM, can do. The teacher is entitled to fair play too!

bernardo mac wrote: »

It is likely your son has a Class Teacher,that is the person who monitors his progress and should be aware of any day to day difficulties that one of his/her students is experiencing and will communicate concerns to the Year Head who in turn reports to the Principal,if need be.

This would be good advice if the concern of the OP was in relation to general day-to-day problems that any student can experience at school.
It is not appropriate where a student is having substantial problems with a particular teacher, regardless of who is the party at fault. In the vast majority of cases the teacher in question will be a colleague of the "Class Teacher" and "Year Head". This means that both would be in an impossible position trying to deal with a potential breach of discipline by a teacher. In such cases the line of school authority should always be followed - i.e. teacher, Principal (or Vice Principal is the Principal is not available), BOM.

Lawliet · 11-09-2009 5:14pm

pjtb wrote: »

There was a teacher in my school that parents had been trying to get rid of for years, decades even. This teacher used to
-read the paper during class
-come in 5 minutes late, say there was too much time gone to start, so let the class do their homework for the other 35 minutes
-bring students out golfing during english class

I had a similar teacher for science at JC. He hated my class in particular and refused to teach us anything in third year, he'd just sit at the back of the room reading the paper. Almost everyone was getting grinds.

23border · 11-09-2009 7:11pm

Have you actually complained to the Principal about the bullying situation? If so and the teacher does the same thing again, make sure your son doesn't go back to the class. On health and safety grounds no one can make him. Also once there has been a complaint the principal must act. Tell the principal that your child is being deprived of an education and if it is not sorted quickly ie a new teacher for him, then you will be phoning the department. If you ring the department make sure you have facts as in "my child was told ......on this day at this time".
Tell your son the next time the teacher shouts at him to say "There is no need to shout at me I can hear you perfectly". If the teacher shouts again walk out of the class immediately and go to the principal and refuse to go back to the class until the parentals are called. It's no different to a work situation, you ask someone to stop shouting at you and they continue then it is bullying in the work place.
My advice for dealing with the principal is to deal only with what has happened to your son and dont bring into the situation what has happened previous years. Also, take a stance against the principal and tell him you want this sorted out asap. He may want the same thing but he may be willing to use softer methods than needed to end what is happening. Do not act like he is your friend and do not side with him.
No harm for your son to start keeping a little note book of the teachers work in class. For example, Monday 9-9.40 read one paragraph. Tuesday, did not turn up and so on. Easier to battle when evidence and fact is on your side and not relying solely on emotion.
Good Luck

Hillel · 11-09-2009 8:02pm

23border wrote: »

Tell the principal that your child is being deprived of an education and if it is not sorted quickly ie a new teacher for him, then you will be phoning the department. If you ring the department make sure you have facts as in "my child was told ......on this day at this time".

The Education Act 1998 gives a statutory basis for school Boards of Management. The board, not the Dept. of Ed. & Science, is responsible for what goes on in a school. If you approach the D Ed., without first going through the BOM ,they will, rightly, refer you back to the school. The process is: 1) Teacher, 2) Principal, 3) BOM.

The advice to keep a written record is sound. In fact, in any substantive issue with a school it is always good practice to keep a written record. (e.g. You agree a course of action with a teacher at a parent teacher meeting. Drop the teacher a friendly note, afterwards, stating your understanding of what you agreed.)

23border · 11-09-2009 8:13pm

Yeah but once bullying is reported it doesnt have to go to the board of management. There is obvious bias as often the principal and teacher representatives sit on it. Also, the board does not meet all that often. I say run to the department first and have a letter written to the board of management. Explain to the department this is a matter of utmost urgency and your child's education can't be held back while they meet, hold meetings, investigate, report back and then take action.

2qk4u · 11-09-2009 8:42pm

Thanks again for the replies,
I have sent a note to the school principle stating that my son is under no circumstances to attend the class or any class with that teacher in it.
On monday I will be sending a letter to the guy over the principle, got his details today and he is on the BOM.
I will be giving them a time frame to respond to me before I inform the dept of education and the childrens ombudsman and the schools insurer.

Some points to clarify, my son is not the only child being bullied by this teacher.
There is no other class available for my son.
We have kept a record of every event this school year.

rainbowtrout · 11-09-2009 8:50pm

23border wrote: »

Yeah but once bullying is reported it doesnt have to go to the board of management. There is obvious bias as often the principal and teacher representatives sit on it. Also, the board does not meet all that often. I say run to the department first and have a letter written to the board of management. Explain to the department this is a matter of utmost urgency and your child's education can't be held back while they meet, hold meetings, investigate, report back and then take action.

The BOM in my school meets once a month, and has had emergency meetings on a more frequent basis for urgent or serious issues. A typical BOM is made up of teachers' representatives (we are allowed have representation, after all we can have issues within the school as well), parents' representatives, perhaps religious representatives/vec reps depending on what kind of school it is. Again there is no point going to the Dept, they will refer the parent back to the board, and won't entertain it if they find that that has been the parents first port of call.

Imagine the following conversation:
Parent: I want to make a complaint about a teacher in X school
Dept: Have you spoke to principal/BOM?
Parent: No
Dept: Speak to principal and then take up your grievance with BOM if you can't reach a solution.

And demanding the Dept take action because of the urgent nature of one childs education is just not going to work.

rainbowtrout · 11-09-2009 8:54pm

2qk4u wrote: »

Thanks again for the replies,
I have sent a note to the school principle stating that my son is under no circumstances to attend the class or any class with that teacher in it.
On monday I will be sending a letter to the guy over the principle, got his details today and he is on the BOM.
I will be giving them a time frame to respond to me before I inform the dept of education and the childrens ombudsman and the schools insurer.

Some points to clarify, my son is not the only child being bullied by this teacher.
There is no other class available for my son.
We have kept a record of every event this school year.

This might take time OP. What will probably happen is that you may have a meeting with the principal to see if a solution can be reached. Obviously the main problem is that your son does not have another class to go to. If it goes to BOM, it might not be dealt with until their next meeting, you could be lucky and it could be in a few days time, or in a month's time. If they choose to have an emergency meeting to deal with this situation, each member of the board will have to be given notice of the meeting, the meeting will take place and you may then be informed of the outcome. So it probably won't happen overnight.

implausible · 11-09-2009 9:21pm

23border wrote: »

...the board of management. There is obvious bias as often the principal and teacher representatives sit on it.

As is right, there would be a bias if no teachers were on it. Teachers are represented on the board, they don't run it. BOMs deal with an awful lot more than parental complaints.

2qk4u wrote: »

On monday I will be sending a letter to the guy over the principle, got his details today and he is on the BOM.

Again, most BOMs is made up of several representatives of parents, teachers, the community or a church (depends on the type of school). I doubt that there is only one guy over the principal. You have the name of one of the members of the BOM. You need to get some more names and lobby/contact them. Even so, the chances of a meeting being called especially are slim, unless there is a large amount of parents/Parents' Association voicing concern.

randylonghorn · 11-09-2009 9:45pm

deemark wrote: »

I doubt that there is only one guy over the principal.

The only person that might fit that description is the CEO of the VEC if it is a VEC school, and it would be likely that s/he (or possibly an EO in a big VEC) would sit on the BOM as well.

Whether that is the case or not, writing officially to the Chair of the BOM would be wise.

As has been repeated several times, the Department or outside bodies will normally refuse to interfere until at the very least all normal local channels have been exhausted.

implausible · 11-09-2009 9:52pm

randylonghorn wrote: »

The only person that might fit that description is the CEO of the VEC if it is a VEC school, and it would be likely that s/he (or possibly an EO in a big VEC) would sit on the BOM as well.

Whether that is the case or not, writing officially to the Chair of the BOM would be wise.

Neither the EO or CEO sits on our BOM and it was the same in my last school, it's reps from the VEC who do. The OP needs to find out who is the chair this time as well.

randylonghorn · 11-09-2009 10:06pm

deemark wrote: »

Neither the EO or CEO sits on our BOM and it was the same in my last school, it's reps from the VEC who do.

Dublin?

I'm more used to dealing with smaller, rural VECs, where it has normally been both. I really couldn't speak for norms in Dublin.

implausible · 11-09-2009 10:12pm

randylonghorn wrote: »

Dublin?

I'm more used to dealing with smaller, rural VECs, where it has normally been both. I really couldn't speak for norms in Dublin.

Jaysus no! Large rural VEC. Thought the rules on the composition of BOMs were the same across the board, but that sounds far too much like common sense.....:rolleyes:

randylonghorn · 11-09-2009 10:21pm

deemark wrote: »

Jaysus no! Large rural VEC. Thought the rules on the composition of BOMs were the same across the board, but that sounds far too much like common sense.....:rolleyes:

In fairness, it's a couple of years since I dealt with them much, things may have changed / been standardised.

Anyway ... probably not a discussion of much use to the OP!

Complaint about teacher

Comments