Help how to deal with a difficult teacher

Spendless

What about putting a pack of wet wipes into her swimming bag and then if for whatever reason she doesn't get chance to have a shower, she could at least wipe round her face.

summerday

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're having these problems. I teach at a primary school, and have to say, it seems that swimming causes more problems and confusion regarding health and safety policies than anything else at all on the curriculum!

When I taught year 5 (4 years ago) I took the class to the local council run pool as they were too big for the small pool on school site. I remember that the written contract we had from the council pool, then at least, stated that children must shower before using the pool but not afterwards unless for a particular health concern. A couple of parents asked that their kids could shower quickly afterwards and of course this was fine, from memory they had eczema. The swimming instructor (was a bit of a dragon who even scared me lol) said that the reason why not all the kids were encouraged to shower was because it was such a tight squeeze time wise to get classes from all different schools in and out of the pool and spending time in the shower afterwards would make it impossible for everyone to have their sessions.

At our little pool that years 4 and below use, we don't actually have a shower, so the kids just walk through the footwash before and can't shower afterwards.

We had huge problems regarding the use of goggles- the council run pool said that a doctors letter had to be provided for a specific medical reason why they were needed, otherwise couldn't be worn as were a health and safety risk.

Personally if I go swimming I would hate to go underwater without goggles and always like to shower, wash hair etc after, so it's interesting that it's different for the kids I guess...

Anyway, as your daughter does need a shower for medical reasons, I would probably write a short note to the teacher along the lines of 'as previously discussed, due to medical reasons my daughter will need to have a short shower at the end of swimming lessons. I trust that you understand this needs to be done discreetly so that my daughter doesn't feel singled out due to her health conditions. Many thanks for your understanding and cooperation in this matter'.

On reading your last post- why not go to your Doctor and ask them to write a short note to state that your daughter needs goggles to swim for medical reasons. Make sure you keep a copy to be able to pass it up to subsequent classes, as these things often don't seem to get passed from teacher to teacher!

daska

I think I'd write one letter to all involved: the Head, the Pool Manager, the LEA, copying to the teacher in question and the Governors for good measure, thanking them all for confirming that it is their policy that all children must shower after swimming. Short and sweet and making it a matter of record. You quite probably won't get a reply, but it might be enough to set things on the correct course.

Bumpmakesfour

I have,unfortunately,had issues with one of my DS teachers,to the point of him slamming the door in my face,offers to move classes etc etc.I agree that she shouldn't be allowed to get away with the attitude and you should take it straight up with the head formally.There's just one bit I read that concerned me... ..below

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

Both DD1 and I are now very concerned that she will takeout her anger on DD1 and she will be singled out in class and at swimming.


Ali x

Can you try not to involve your DD in this any further maybe?Sad that she is worrying over the issue between you and her teacher.We ensured our DS remained as unaware as possible the entire year of him being in mr Ts class.We never discussed the teacher around him,all [STRIKE]slanging matches[/STRIKE] meetings were held in private in the heads office etc.Just a thought xx

Dunroamin

Why does she need to shower just to rinse her eyes?

scooby088

From what I have read this teacher does sound a bit vindictive and may take offence at being questioned about anything, why would anything you said to the teacher in any way effect how she deals with your child, for one that is highly unprofessional of the teacher to even use a subtle threat.

I think OP you need to speak to the headteacher on this matter or as you have said deputy head too.

jellyhead

Spendless wrote: »

What about putting a pack of wet wipes into her swimming bag and then if for whatever reason she doesn't get chance to have a shower, she could at least wipe round her face.

Or she could rinse her face in the sink during the next playtime at school perhaps?

The schools here don't allow a shower either, and I don't think they allow goggles.

daisiegg

jellyhead wrote: »

Or she could rinse her face in the sink during the next playtime at school perhaps?

The schools here don't allow a shower either, and I don't think they allow goggles.

Or even in the sink in the changing room toilets? They must surely let them go to the loo if they need it after swimming!

Person_one

Dunroamin wrote: »

Why does she need to shower just to rinse her eyes?

If she has eczema she will definitely need to. I had terrible childhood eczema and had to have cold showers after swimming, if I didn't the results an hour or so later were not pretty.

Lara44

I don't want to come across as rude here - but I am not seeing what your problem with this teacher is. She said up front in the conversation that your DD could have a shower if she needs one. I am just curious why that is not an acceptable solution? Why do you need all the children to have a shower together? I don't think that it's a sensitive issue that your DD needs to worry about being 'singled out' over.

You are calling the teacher difficult but it's good to see both sides - she might feel the same way about the demands you have made for changes to the routine of the whole class.