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Behaviour

The problem: I am in my seventh year as a teaching assistant with no complaints against me. Yesterday, a pupil on step 3 of 4 in our class behaviour procedure told pupils I was working with that I had always been a pervert. (I had told him a few minutes before that his behaviour hadn’t improved much since he was in Year 3.) He apologised 30 minutes later after being told he had to. But I refused to accept it. I was called to the assistant head’s office and told that I was expected to apologise to him because I had humiliated him in front of other pupils. His parents are being asked what action they want taken against me

22nd March 2013, 12:00am

Tom Bennett

What you said

The child’s comment was upsetting. I wonder why you told him his behaviour had not improved much since Year 3. The child may have been hitting back at what he saw as a negative character evaluation. Talk to your line manager about what happened and why. Stepping back and reviewing the situation may give a different perspective.

Cingirl

You were slandered at work and your employers have a duty of care to you under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Perhaps your union rep could remind the school of that. From now on, log and report via email to the assistant head everything of this nature.

Siegen81to82

The expert view

This is bizarre. From the details you have given, it is unclear why you are expected to apologise. It was an inappropriate and sexual slur to make about an adult. You are not obliged to accept an apology.

It is poignant how pupils are often happy to be rude in public but apologise only in private - and that this boy insulted you publicly but you appear to be facing pressure from management for also making your feelings clear publicly.

Without knowing more, it is impossible to comment properly, but: no one can make you apologise, and if it is not a genuine apology there is no point. You need representation before any meeting takes place on this issue, because you must not be strong-armed into a situation you are not happy with. Good luck.

Tom Bennett’s latest book, Teacher, is out now, published by Continuum. Post your questions at www.tesconnect.combehaviour.