DD furious with gym teacher

Imnoexpert_2

I think you are all right to be furious about the PE teacher's behaviour.

Provided what you say is correct and can be proved you have the PE teacher and the school at your mercy. The decision is how much pain you want to put them through, and how you go about achieving that.

My usual approach is to follow the procedures laid down for a complaint and decide based on the response I get. If this is a young foolish teacher struggling to cope, and they apologise, and the school management apologise and take steps to ensure this never happens again to any other pupil my response would be more restrained than if they tried to justify or defend their position or tried to fob me off or delay things. If so Iwould escalate the matter as high as possible, to law if necessary.

Keep evidence, document everythingincluding meetings and don't give up. If they know you mean business you will get whatever you want.

Do remember though to stay rational and proportionate. Your daughter will also need to face the staff of this school in future, and it sounds as if she will need their support. The real win is to ensure she gets that.

Deal with the NHS in a similar way. Camp out in the the gp's surgery, pester the consultants secretary, the hospital, your mp if necessary. Sometimes those who shout the most do best. This needs sorting!

Good luck.

barbiedoll

Absolutely agree with the above post on dealing with the NHS. It's not right that a young girl has to use crutches for an undiagnosed injury, for months at a time.

If the consultant is on long-term sick leave, there should be arrangements for someone else to cover his cases. DD should go to GP, and refuse to move until a MRI scan has been ordered. She should then contact the paediatric department and insist that GD1 is referred to someone as soon as possible, at a different hospital if necessary.

I can't comment on the PE teacher but complaints should be made to the school first, before going on to LEA. And keep copies of any documentation, including notes taken at any meetings.

lostinrates

How is the little girl doing now meritaten?

meritaten

She is still in some pain and still had numbness yesterday - I haven't spoken to her mum today but will be seeing her tomorrow.

I totally agree with you all! my DD was so furious that its a wonder she didn't explode! she has calmed down now and will follow the 'proper' procedure as you have all outlined. She too prefers to work WITH teachers and the school - she has two kids with Aspergers and knows exactly how important good relations with the school is. I have to say that apart from this twit of a gym teacher - she thinks this school is wonderful with GD1. I honestly don't know if its a new teacher who isn't aware of the limitations of the job or someone who has done it for years and think they know it all. Whichever - they need their neck pulling in!

Thanks everyone!

oh and Gobbledegook - I misread your post the first time! I understand what you were really saying now! sorry.

System

supermassive wrote: »

My immediate response would be to ask a solicitor because these actions are illegal.

If the girl's symptoms have got worse as a result of being made to walk on her injured leg then yes the school could have opened itself to possible litigation.

Yorkie1

supermassive wrote: »

My immediate response would be to ask a solicitor because these actions are illegal.

avogadro wrote: »

If the girl's symptoms have got worse as a result of being made to walk on her injured leg then yes the school could have opened itself to possible litigation.

I agree with Avogadro about potential civil liability but the school's actions were not illegal: no criminal offence has been committed.

Armorica

definitely the headteacher before the LEA

and get your GP to do another referral to a consultant who isn't on sick leave!

Yorkie1 - that's debatable - it's arguably negligent or gross misconduct; schools have a duty of care over their students

Delree

All people ever want to do is complain and get people into trouble. Don't bother with the LEA surely there must be higher body to make yourself a nuisance to.

lulu_92

Delree wrote: »

All people ever want to do is complain and get people into trouble. Don't bother with the LEA surely there must be higher body to make yourself a nuisance to.

pfft, take your negativity elsewhere. It's not like OP is complaining that DGD can't wear her trainers to school, this is an actual medical issue that the teacher was wrong in undermining by making her take part.

OP I wish her a speedy recovery.

duchy

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I agree with Avogadro about potential civil liability but the school's actions were not illegal: no criminal offence has been committed.

Whilst I disagree in running straight to a solicitor - as there is a far bigger picture to consider here than a single incident -you are wrong about the law.

The school has a duty of care to their pupils. If it can be proved that anyone in loco parentis forced or ordered or in any other way coerced a child to do something dangerous or harmful (or potentially so) then there are legal implications - just as there would be if a parent or other carer did in an outside of school scenario. Yes it could be a criminal offence -endangerment is criminal not civil law.