Over the past month I have played more of an active role in Eleanor's academic environment. I've always took the standpoint that as a parent it was my responsibility to make sure that she is a respectable human being and a happy one at that, and I left the schooling, as in learning 2+2 to the teachers. However all through reception I have watched her just slip further and further down to the point of being a completely different child in school to the one I see everyday, so I thought it was time for me to intervene.
I started in October to do extra academic work outside of school hours. This has included working through a system called Toe by Toe. Her achievements over the past four weeks has been pretty astounding and what is most satisfying to see is Eleanor actually enjoying her work and proud of her achievements.
However, today I had the year 1 surgery, which is basically a chance for all the parents to sit down with the headteacher and voice any concerns they may have. The main topic was that Eleanor's teacher had indicated that Year 1 was an unruly and misbehaving class, with many concerned about her techniques to handle this. Completely valid point and one that I would also liked nipped in the bud, but this topic then moved onto the realm of 'it is the lower able kids that cause the disruptions' and actual shock and despair (I mean clasping hands to mouth sort of shock and despair) when told that the class as a whole were low achievers.
Clasping of the hands?
So even when children are really trying hard, they are still written off? I felt like I had to defend both Eleanor and all the children who were average or hell forbid, below average in the class. Academic ability does not determine how well behaved you are. Obviously I'm going to defend my daughter, however I'm not one of those parents that consider their child as an angel, as they are few and far between. Every kid has their moments, bloody hell, every adult has their moments and for parents to think that their child never says or does anything bad just because they are bright, are pretty naive.
Eleanor has her negative points, just like the rest of us, but to write her off and to point her out as the reason why your child is suffering, because she is a behind at the moment, just doesn't seem right to me.
