Help how to deal with a difficult teacher

BlueAngelCV

I'm quite shocked by some of the comments. I think that it's entirely appropriate for the children to have a quick shower after swimming and if the argument against is that it's too rushed and there isn't enough time, well tough! Don't book as many lessons in or split the swimming/changing time differently. It is a H&S issue and they shouldn't be left with chlorine on them all day (or rubbing off on their clothes).

As for the fact that the OP cannot comment on other children, of course she can! It's not for her to force the other children to shower but it's entirely appropriate to say that they should be given the option.

The teacher does have a duty for the H&S of the children and at that age I consider that this should include things like personal hygiene.

I've never heard about problems with goggles before. What are the H&S risks meant to be? You didn't have these problems back in my day! (I'm 28).

I do think that this is an issue even without the teacher's attitude. I would request a meeting with the head and whilst explaining this issue also say that you think it's a shame that it's had to come to this but point out the problems you've had with the teacher in the past. You never know, the head might not be aware that the teacher has an attitude problem if people don't ever think individual issues are important enough to tell her about.

claire16c

Cant your daughter just go to loo, wash her face and then this whole issue, wouldnt be an issue anymore??

JC9297

None of the teachers I know would ever take any negative feelings towards a parent out on a child, in fact a lot of the time teachers feel sorry for children when they have met the parents.

poet123

BlueAngelCV wrote: »

I'm quite shocked by some of the comments. I think that it's entirely appropriate for the children to have a quick shower after swimming and if the argument against is that it's too rushed and there isn't enough time, well tough! Don't book as many lessons in or split the swimming/changing time differently. It is a H&S issue and they shouldn't be left with chlorine on them all day (or rubbing off on their clothes).

As for the fact that the OP cannot comment on other children, of course she can! It's not for her to force the other children to shower but it's entirely appropriate to say that they should be given the option.

The teacher does have a duty for the H&S of the children and at that age I consider that this should include things like personal hygiene.

I've never heard about problems with goggles before. What are the H&S risks meant to be? You didn't have these problems back in my day! (I'm 28).

I do think that this is an issue even without the teacher's attitude. I would request a meeting with the head and whilst explaining this issue also say that you think it's a shame that it's had to come to this but point out the problems you've had with the teacher in the past. You never know, the head might not be aware that the teacher has an attitude problem if people don't ever think individual issues are important enough to tell her about.

Hardly a hygiene issue when they have just come from the swimming pool.

msb5262

JC9297 wrote: »

None of the teachers I know would ever take any negative feelings towards a parent out on a child, in fact a lot of the time teachers feel sorry for children when they have met the parents.

Yup. I'm a teacher and the most difficult/rude/unpleasant parent I have to deal with is the parent of one of the most sweet natured, polite, calm children in my class! The mother was so rude and behaved so inappropriately on the playground last week that I am seriously considering asking the headteacher to give her a formal warning about her behaviour...

MsB

the_pink_panther_2

I'm with the teacher on this one too, though can't comment on politeness of the teacher's response, nor on the politeness of your communications to the teacher either. You have a concern for your child and her welfare but similarly other parents have the right to decide what is best for their own children too, they may or may not agree with you, every child and parent is different but other parents should have a right to speak on behalf of their own child should they wish to do so. I am a teacher; so often parents contact the school and say the children are getting too much homework, other parents are saying too little homework, some say rules are too strict and restricting, others say the rules are too relaxed, as a teacher you can't satisfy all parents.... In terms of your comment, the teachers are trying to put on these extra trips, there's so much paperwork and bureaucracy involved as it is, it's so much work to organise these extra activities you wouldn't believe, the teachers are doing it (they don't have to) for the benefit of your child and others in the group and nothing more. Many teachers would not put on these nice activities. It does seem like fault-finding on your part and un-appreciation of the lengths to which the teachers are going to to help your child and make things more enjoyable on the whole, though it may not appear that way to an outsider. It's kind of like being given a massive ice cream and then complaining you didn't get a flake in it (I'm not saying don't discuss the needs of your daughter, but I do think you're going OTT given the teacher's efforts on this) . It may become unrealistic to abide to all parents demands and these fun activities may not be viable any longer. I'm not trying to be difficult but I do understand why the teacher became frustrated with you.

Person_one

JC9297 wrote: »

None of the teachers I know would ever take any negative feelings towards a parent out on a child, in fact a lot of the time teachers feel sorry for children when they have met the parents.

The teacher's comment that she hopes her relationship with the child won't be affected is very concerning though. Of course it shouldn't be affected, what was her reasoning for that vaguely threatening remark?

the_pink_panther_2

Person_one wrote: »

The teacher's comment that she hopes her relationship with the child won't be affected is very concerning though. Of course it shouldn't be affected, what was her reasoning for that vaguely threatening remark?

I'd be amazed if it were a threat. It happens that if parents don't like a teacher they can be vocal about this at home and then in turn the child's attitude towards the teacher changes and affects their relationship. I think that this is what the teacher meant.

thegirlintheattic

Our children (well teenagers) are allowed to shower after swimming trips but are not forced to and are generally hurried through everything otherwise we'd never get out of the place!

Your DD is allowed to shower - so the problem is sorted. I think what the teacher was trying to say is you cannot speak for all parents on this issue. If them or their children don't want to shower, that's ok, as long as it follows the pool policy. Our local policy is shower before swim.

picnmix

Am I just being dim, but I can't for the life of me fathom why goggles are a H&S risk ! Can anyone shed any light on this, I am intrigued.