DD furious with gym teacher

GobbledyGook

meritaten wrote: »

GobbledyGook wrote: »

The school were told before GD1 started there in September that she couldnt do Gym for the foreseeable future. DD was told that wasn't a problem - she could go to the library. DD sent notes anyway (just in case).
I didn't really want to say this - but GD1 has Aspergers - and she does exactly what she is told to do. which the school is well aware of.
Since Tuesday, GD1 has complained her foot is cold and her toes are numb - this could well be because she was forced to walk without her crutches. She is also in a lot more pain and has an emergency appointment with her physio - who advised my DD by phone NOT to let her have 'hydrotherapy' in the school pool.

If they got into the way of notes they'd have been expecting one. I'm not saying the teacher was right btw, not at all. I'm just saying what they are likely to come up with at any meeting. The teacher will have been expecting a note or for GD1 to take part. So your DD1 needs to ensure this is noted differently, from now on no notes until she's fit and they've got specific permission from DD1 that this is the case.

If I was your DD I'd want a face-to-face meeting with the school. One of the first things I'd ask was why the school's facility to offer 'hydrotherapy' has never been mentioned before.... Letters don't give tone properly, but make sure everything is followed up in writing for a paper trail.

meritaten

Yes, they did take her to A&E - and were told because this is an 'old' injury its down to her consultant. A&E refused to order a scan. Consultant has been off 'sick' for nearly 3 months now. Physios want the MRI but cant order one. they suspect its 'nerve damage' but until they get the diagnosis cant treat it as such.

Malkin157

Have you considered home education?

meritaten

GobbledyGook wrote: »

meritaten wrote: »

If they got into the way of notes they'd have been expecting one. I'm not saying the teacher was right btw, not at all. I'm just saying what they are likely to come up with at any meeting. The teacher will have been expecting a note or for GD1 to take part. So your DD1 needs to ensure this is noted differently, from now on no notes until she's fit and they've got specific permission from DD1 that this is the case.

If I was your DD I'd want a face-to-face meeting with the school. One of the first things I'd ask was why the school's facility to offer 'hydrotherapy' has never been mentioned before.... Letters don't give tone properly, but make sure everything is followed up in writing for a paper trail.

my DD told the school at the beginning of term that GD1 would NOT be able to do gym. she gave DD notes 'just in case'.

and if a child came into gym on crutches.....and said child hadn't done gym since September .............and just because THIS week the child hasn't got a note and explains she has an ankle problem, would you make that child walk without crutches or compare their ankles? or ask if they have a permanent 'excuse me' note? or ring the parent for an explanation?
and the school has a 'swimming pool' not a 'hydrotherapy pool' they are Two different things.

and your 'QUOTE' WASNT BY ME! take it out please.

Annisele

Take her back to her GP and ask for a referral to a different consultant maybe? Leaving anybody (child or not) in pain for that length of time is unacceptable.

I don't know if it's different for children, or in different areas of the country, but my GP recently ordered an MRI for me without any consultant being involved (at least, none that I knew about).

I know that's not your original question, but I do wonder if the gym teacher is dubious about the time take for the diagnosis, and so assumed GD1 was making things up. If that is what happened, then the gym teacher's actions were absolutely wrong - but the thinking wouldn't have been completely daft.

GobbledyGook

Jings almighty.... No wonder I rarely bother now.

I was only telling you, from experience of working in schools with several PE teachers who think they can cure all ailments, what your DD is likely to encounter at the school... (The point about hydrotherapy is EXACTLY what I meant - they can't offer it, but they did.... So your DD asking about it flags up instantly how ridiculous the PE teacher has been!). I already said, clearly, that the teacher was completely in the wrong.

Good luck to your GD.

Person_one

meritaten wrote: »

Yes, they did take her to A&E - and were told because this is an 'old' injury its down to her consultant. A&E refused to order a scan. Consultant has been off 'sick' for nearly 3 months now. Physios want the MRI but cant order one. they suspect its 'nerve damage' but until they get the diagnosis cant treat it as such.

That doesn't sound right. Did they tell them that the numbness and the cold sensation were new symptoms that day?

maman

I think you've been given the right advice: your DD shouldn't go straight to the LEA but work through headteacher and school governors.


What I suspect might have happened is that because your DD has always sent a note PE teacher smelt a rat when no note appeared. Teacher may also have seen DGD walking about normally or whatever else caused suspicion. That being said, PE teacher was way out of order attempting 'diagnosis'.


Meanwhile, do all you can to chase up a proper diagnosis/treatment.

FBaby

When you say notes, you mean notes from mum or notes from the doctor? If it is notes from mum, I can see how they would start questioning the truthfulness of the situation because indeed, waiting all that time to do something about the problem is quite concerning.

Yes, your daughter is right to complain to the school, however, I think beyond writing a letter to the Head, she should concentrate her efforts on getting medical help for your GD. Take her back to her GP and asked to be referred elsewhere. She has that choice. In many places in the UK now, your GP can refer you directly for an MRI. Leaving an injury for so long when it is not getting better on its own is quite concerning and I'm surprised your daughter is not taking focussing her anger more on the NHS rather than the school.

krlyr

I had an ongoing shoulder issue as a teen and couldn't do PE for a about half of the time I was at secondary school. My mum ended up getting a doctor's note to say I was unable to do it, though I did have to attend for register and watch the class - up until GCSE time when I was the excused to go to the library.

I would be making a complaint about the teacher's behaviour and then making firm arrangements with the headteacher, backed up with a doctor's note, to make it clear she is not to do PE lessons until further notice.