Posted by komodo
I was threatened by a fifth-year pupil yesterday. She was sent to the principal teacher and then the depute head. The school has contacted the parent but she hasn’t been excluded. All she has to do is apologise and she gets back into my class. I have worked in other schools and pupils would be excluded for less. I don’t want to fight with the management but I’m not happy with just an apology. Do I just need to toughen up?
Posted by 5string
The management is obliged to take its “duty of care” to employees seriously. There is no way you should be directly threatened by anyone, pupil, staff, parent or other. I suggest you speak to management and ask if they will change the decision not to act effectively on your behalf by removing a threat to your person. If they take issue with this, tell them you will put in a formal complaint against it. If they stand their ground, put a complaint in writing. I’m appalled that “an apology” is all that’s required. Shocking.
Posted by cobalt54
If you don’t want to fight with management, I am not surprised you have been threatened. Do you really think the students can’t tell a boss’s man or woman when they see one? And since the boss knows you don’t want a fight, he can fob you off with an insincere apology.
Posted by komodo
I’m not scared to take on management, just don’t want to look like I’m being difficult for the sake of it. I’m a 25-year-old supply teacher, therefore in a very weak position.
Posted by Dominie
Ask the depute who handled the matter why the pupil was not excluded. There may be good reasons, such as child protection at home, and so on. If you are unhappy with that, ask himher to put it in writing. Then contact your union. You should be fully consulted at all stages re the re-admission of the pupil to your class (Scottish Government guidelines). If you are unhappy at the conditions for re-admission, put it in writing, contact your union.
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