21st Century Socks

Parents Evening

It s been another busy week. Early in the week Daisy was in sombre mood. Eventually we got to the bottom of it and it turns out she is being bullied. A boy in her Science class constantly calls her names and hassles her through the lesson. I know boys find it hard to work out how to talk to girls and can be clumsy but he seems to have an unhealthy obsession.

Dashing up to the school after driving down from the North of England we ran into the “Deputy Head of House” in the corridor. The school is set up with a vertical and horizontal structure. In the vertical structure are classes from every year in “Houses”. Across each year there is a “Head of Year” and deputy.

In terms of the House teachers these are the enforcers whilst the “Year” teachers tend to be the supportive, pastoral, staff.

I am very unhappy that the bullying was going on during lessons. As the conversation was coming to an end I spotted the Art Teacher coming down the corridor. Busy corridor! I broke away to talk to him and raised the issue over his alleged comment. He denied it naturally. I was glad I’d raised it and he knows I’ve got my eye on him. The most diplomatic solution was to accept his version of ‘non events’. It keeps some hope of him and Daisy having a good relationship.

Daisy had to go in the next day and make a statement. I told her to name a lad who although not making the comments was closely associated with him and was encouraging him. This lad, Tim, is the son of someone the wife went to school with years ago.

There was also a parents evening for Rory this week. He’s only been at the school since September so it’s an opportunity for parents to meet the class teacher and raise any settling in concerns. After a talk by the class teacher and some questions and answers the “Head of House” came in.
He was not in a good mood and read the Riot Act because he was very unhappy with the class. He’d identified 7 or 8 children who were causing problems and spelt out the fact that he was going to move them down into lower classes or other houses if they continued to cause problems. He would not name the children out loud but would confirm names with parents after the meeting. As I left I said in passing “Rory’s not on the list is he?” “No” came the reply. I knew he wouldn’t be.
Next day, the Head of House made a repeat performance and read the class the Riot Act.

Events

The wife spotted her old school friend visiting his mother nearby. It was Tim’s father and she told him about the bullying. The father said that on the parents evening the week before he’d been told that when Tim sat by the bully his marks were much lower than when the bully wasn’t around. It's bit nasty of me but I want the bully to feel some pressure.

Several girls commented to Daisy that “it was about time someone did something” about the bully. It seems he has a girl in every lesson he targets.

Next week the kids are thankfully off for half term break.

posted by 21stCenturySocks @ 4:21 PM