Holidays abroad - or lack of them, impact on child

theoretica

I remember a somewhat similar issue my mum tells me from when I was at school - my parents were told off for apparently depriving me dreadfully of educational experiences by not having a TV. I soon left that school and went to a much more academic one where this was never an issue. As a child I didn't think it unreasonable of the teachers to set homework that others answered by reference to something on TV, actually I realised it gave me more freedom to choose what to do as an alternative.

What do people do abroad? Lie in the sun (OK that's often hard here); see new and different places (don't need to go abroad for that, I certainly haven't seen all of the UK or even within 20 miles of home), practice foreign languages (how much of that do most kids actually do?); ski (exercise is good, but a bike riding or walking holiday would have a similar effect wouldn't it?); eat strange food (don't need to go away for that either)...

*max*

I am absolutely shocked by what that teacher said to you! I would have given her a piece of my mind, let me tell you!

What a rude, snotty, unprofessional idiot! Please complain to the headteacher. This is NOT right - and apart from being completely untrue - it's discriminatory and offensive. I'm truly angry on your behalf! Unbelievable.

barbarawright

What ridiculous assumptions the teacher is making. Lots of kids from Asian backgrounds do go on foreign holidays but it tends to be 'back home' to see the extended family. It's extraordinarily narrow minded to suggest everyone is interested in travelling to mainland Europe - even if you have the money for foreign holidays you may want to travel to the U|S or North Africa or Disneyland or...anywhere in the world.

Ames

I agree about how awful the teacher's been.

For the assignment how about him imagining what someone from a different country would think if they visited his area? Or twist it some other way, like visiting Norway during Viking times.

gettingtheresometime

Yes tell him to write about Wales and if the snotty nosed teacher tells him off, take it further.

(The only trouble may be the Act of Union but then he can mention Devolution)

pollypenny

glauber_berti wrote: »

"Well, perhaps you need to think about starting to offer him these kind of opportunities as he is going to be left even further behind his peers if you continue to hold him back."


I work alongside lots of teachers and I can't think of a single one that would respond in that manner. They're all very much aware of, when setting homework, to not do it in a manner that excludes any of their pupils from participating and, if they did accidentally upset somebody, they would be incredibly apologetic and find a way around it so that the child could still participate.


If what you're saying is true, I would advise you to speak to the headteacher (and then the governors if you're not satisfied with the response). Schools have a duty to make sure all activities are inclusive for all children and I'm sure senior leaders would be mortified to hear that this hasn't been the case in this instance.

Ditto!

This is appalling! I taught in a school that was truly comprehensive, with pupils from all social classes, the children of judges' to those who were unemployable.

I was very careful about setting work which would cause hurt or embarrassment to those who had had few opportunities.

I'd complain to both head and governors .

belfastgirl23

Interesting that your son has a sense he will be victimised about this. To me that's nearly worse than what the teacher said to you! Your problem is not that your son hasn't been abroad, it's clearly his teacher.

I don't think I'd speak to the head (yet). I'd go back and speak to her. Head held high I'd tell her that your husband had a terrible car accident and was unable to travel for a long time and that you are currently not in a position to do so financially. And that you were very upset at the implication that you being less affluent is disadvantaging your son. Turn the tables, ask her what her advice is in terms of writing the essay. Be clear that your son is concerned about being belittled for the fact that you are less well off than other families. And be very clear that you would find this totally unacceptable and that you are holding her accountable for setting the tone for the rest of the class.

At least he doesn't have long to go in that class...

pollypenny

I can't agree with that, Belfast girl.

If the teacher is so lacking in empathy for the pupils in her class she deserves that to be known. Furthermore, the head needs to know what is going on in her school.

OP, I'm sure your son could do a more interesting project on Cardiff or Welsh castles than those on Disneyland or their Tuscan villa.

What about the links between Latin and the Welsh language or Romans in Wales, if you could fit in a trip to Caerleon.

*max*

But it is absolutely none of the teacher's business WHY the OP's son has never been abroad! It isn't compulsory! I definitely would not go into explanations, or trying to justify myself as to why. It's none of her concern. She's there to teach children and treat them equally, regardless of their family circumstances. I would tell her though, in no uncertain terms, that I find her comments unacceptable and discriminatory. And that if I get even a whiff of her treating my son differently because he has not been abroad, or because my family isn't as well off as the rest, I will put in a complaint of discrimination.

As for the assignment, I would tell her that since it cannot be changed at this late hour, my son will write about a holiday he has taken in the UK, and I expect her to judge the work solely on its merits as an essay, and not on the fact it is not be about another european country.

What a cow.

(sorry this was in reply to Belfastgirl! )

gettingtheresometime

Henry VII, dad of Henry VIII, was born in Wales