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Disgusted New Head Mistress views Diabetes

S

stuholds

Member
Messages
5
Hi All,

I'm furious about how our local primary school deals with my 8 year-old Stepsons type 1 Diabetes.

Firstly the new head mistress has recently joined the school over the last 2 years. Since she has joined we have had nothing but discrimination for the poor boy. The teacher doesn't seem to realize that his condition is life changing and what impacts it has on him.The Head teacher favors children with ADHD over our son. They will continue to give the rest of the kids in class sweeties and leave him and another out. Refuse to help out on school trips (over night stays) They will not administer insulin per directions but call the nurse instead of my partner's input in his daily diary. Thinks that ADHD children are not to be disciplined from bullying him over is diabetes. Harry is no angel but doesn't deserve to be picked out by this head mistress. When we have meetings all she ever seems to worry about is their insurance coverage :shock:

He's been refused to sing in the school quire if his hair isn't cut short.
Harry does have days when he's very poorly and cant go to school or if he's slightly late we need to get him to eat to get his Bloods up they complain? He's gone through the Honey moon period now where his pancreas has died. His emotions can get all over the place at times usually when he's having a Hypo. They think there's problems at home! The teacher see's this as there's a problem at home. He's a happy little boy...just very upset about school. What are we to do? :( She even reports my partner to the Education welfare. All she seems to care about is her ofted reports. :thumbdown:
 
The chain of complaint is:
1) headteacher
2) school governors
3) local education authority
4) Department for Education

You must put the complaint in writing so when you write to the headteacher be sure to ask for details of the school governors which puts the head teacher on notice that you mean business without issuing a direct threat. It's probably a good idea to call the DES and see if they have guidelines in print. The more you know at the beginning, the more likely the headteacher will be dissuaded from attempting to fob you off.

This page on the Dept. of Education website will be a starting point for getting to know the procedure but, you must raise the issue in writing with the head before you start any formal complaint.

There is also a link to the children's legal centre who have some Q&As:

http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/

They will be able to tell you what is and what is not discrimination and what the school's responsibility is to a child with diabetes.

In many of these cases, it is simply a matter of the school, for example, not knowing. They are not out to discriminate deliberately. If they don't know and if they should know, these other people will tell them. But, you too must be prepared, the school may not have the responsibility that you think they have. You need to get yourself informed first.
 
I do not wish to be dis-respectful but just take a step back. As parents we can very much get drawn in.

The sweets incident might appear somewhat insensitive but often teachers may purchase sweets and not think. Could you ask that you personally provide some sugar free alternatives to be stored ready for such occasions. And i am not sure how this would be the heads fault as opposed to the teachers?

The bullying thing is difficult, a child with adhd may well behave differently and needs some level of understanding. However, no child should suffer at their expense.

The late or ill thing is the unfortunate stupidity of the system and local education authority. If a child is late on 'x' number of occasions or absent 15% an automatic letter is generated. Simply contact the lea and tell them the situation.

The cutting hair, has she really said that, if so then complain. Or is it more a 'we picked 3 children who look similar because they are meant to look like family' in a play situation?

Hope i have not sounded harsh, as a former teacher i am just aware that the protective gene can kick in. I dont think any teacher goes into the job to be horrible and make a childs life difficult. Often work pressures, policy, understanding and communication can cause problems. I would ask for some time for open and honest discussions stating how you want to work with them to make your childs school experience more comfortable.

Good luck!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Mr Happy said:
The cutting hair, has she really said that, if so then complain. Or is it more a 'we picked 3 children who look similar because they are meant to look like family' in a play situation?
Click to expand...

My daughter was constantly getting told off by some staff for having bright pink or green hair whilst other members of staff were saying how lovely she looked. She turned to her mother and me for an indication of who she should listen to. The best we could say is that this was itself a valuable lesson about how contrary adults could be.
 
Yorksman said:
The chain of complaint is:
1) headteacher
2) school governors
3) local education authority
4) Department for Education

You must put the complaint in writing so when you write to the headteacher be sure to ask for details of the school governors which puts the head teacher on notice that you mean business without issuing a direct threat. It's probably a good idea to call the DES and see if they have guidelines in print. The more you know at the beginning, the more likely the headteacher will be dissuaded from attempting to fob you off.

This page on the Dept. of Education website will be a starting point for getting to know the procedure but, you must raise the issue in writing with the head before you start any formal complaint.

There is also a link to the children's legal centre who have some Q&As:

http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/

They will be able to tell you what is and what is not discrimination and what the school's responsibility is to a child with diabetes.

In many of these cases, it is simply a matter of the school, for example, not knowing. They are not out to discriminate deliberately. If they don't know and if they should know, these other people will tell them. But, you too must be prepared, the school may not have the responsibility that you think they have. You need to get yourself informed first.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this advice. The teacher clearly doesn't want to put up with the Child due to his diabetes. There's another Child there with the same type including ADHD. They have automatically put them together and treat both cases as one and I'm sure as you all know it's not as simple as that. We have his readings from last year in his diary and everyday he left school he was hypoing, reason why? they wasn't checking his bloods. Thank you for this information it's going to be priceless ;)
 
Mr Happy said:
I do not wish to be dis-respectful but just take a step back. As parents we can very much get drawn in.

The sweets incident might appear somewhat insensitive but often teachers may purchase sweets and not think. Could you ask that you personally provide some sugar free alternatives to be stored ready for such occasions. And i am not sure how this would be the heads fault as opposed to the teachers?

The bullying thing is difficult, a child with adhd may well behave differently and needs some level of understanding. However, no child should suffer at their expense.

The late or ill thing is the unfortunate stupidity of the system and local education authority. If a child is late on 'x' number of occasions or absent 15% an automatic letter is generated. Simply contact the lea and tell them the situation.

The cutting hair, has she really said that, if so then complain. Or is it more a 'we picked 3 children who look similar because they are meant to look like family' in a play situation?

Hope i have not sounded harsh, as a former teacher i am just aware that the protective gene can kick in. I dont think any teacher goes into the job to be horrible and make a childs life difficult. Often work pressures, policy, understanding and communication can cause problems. I would ask for some time for open and honest discussions stating how you want to work with them to make your childs school experience more comfortable.

Good luck!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...


Thank you for your input and I understand what your saying. The problem is, the teacher or Head Mistress should I say does not want the Boy in the school. She doesn't want to deal with his unique illness. The boy has 3-4 hypos a day at school! While he's at home he'll maybe have one. The Nurse has said though it's better to be on the low-side but why so many hypos? They don't want the hassle of his blood sugars. Why should a kid condemned with this illness be put in this position?

This Headmistress also owns a pub would you believe should I discriminate about that? Well, in my opinion since she's joined the school all she's worried about is his insurance. Would rather blame his illness on his home-life rather than school???? Do you agree for a teacher to threaten a child not to dare tell their parents. This school has got out of hand. The bullying was soo bad the boy didnt want to even go to the school. We have also news that the canteen staff know of Harry having hypos. He's not allowed to inject in his tummy no more. The Headmistress simply doesn't want him or his issues in the school. This School still has a tuck-shop. I thought that went out in the 80's :***:
 
stuholds said:
Hi All,

I'm furious about how our local primary school deals with my 8 year-old Stepsons type 1 Diabetes.

Firstly the new head mistress has recently joined the school over the last 2 years. Since she has joined we have had nothing but discrimination for the poor boy. The teacher doesn't seem to realize that his condition is life changing and what impacts it has on him.The Head teacher favors children with ADHD over our son. They will continue to give the rest of the kids in class sweeties and leave him and another out. Refuse to help out on school trips (over night stays) They will not administer insulin per directions but call the nurse instead of my partner's input in his daily diary. Thinks that ADHD children are not to be disciplined from bullying him over is diabetes. Harry is no angel but doesn't deserve to be picked out by this head mistress. When we have meetings all she ever seems to worry about is their insurance coverage :shock:

He's been refused to sing in the school quire if his hair isn't cut short.
Harry does have days when he's very poorly and cant go to school or if he's slightly late we need to get him to eat to get his Bloods up they complain? He's gone through the Honey moon period now where his pancreas has died. His emotions can get all over the place at times usually when he's having a Hypo. They think there's problems at home! The teacher see's this as there's a problem at home. He's a happy little boy...just very upset about school. What are we to do? :( She even reports my partner to the Education welfare. All she seems to care about is her ofted reports. :thumbdown:
Click to expand...


You have had some really good advice and I concur with a lot of it.

My friend is a supervisiory dinner lady and she has been having a terrible time with the new headteacher at the infant school. She has been constantly belittled, pulled up on ridiculous things, talked down in front of the childen and she says she feels as though she is treated like a 'nuisance'. She has been in this role for over 7 years. It has gone to union reps and the school goven, with meetings and after one of the meeting the school governor said to her " I don't want to see you squashed ***, but I wish you hadn't started this" :shock: shocking isn't it?

Unfortunately, sometimes the face doesn't fit, whether its an adult or a child. I would keep a diary, of what your son or teacher has told you and also what you have observed. Put everything in writing and make a copy for your own reference. ALL children deserve to be treated equally. There does seem to be more paper work and getting the right numbers nowadays. Having a chronic illness like Type 1 in a child is hard enough with having a 'battle' with the school. Also, have you been in touch with JDRF to get some advice and literature on coping and treating diabetes at school? Or asking to go in and have a chat about diabetes to his class?

Good luck and I hope things calm down for all concerned.

Best wishes RRB
 
What you need to do is keep a diary and give her enough rope to hang herself. I am not sure she can be solely to blame, shouldn't his teacher have some input?

However, if she is doing things like preventing injecting into the stomach, ask a diabetes nurse to write a letter or go to school with you. If it is repeated then it is a cause for complaint.

You have to be careful, issues like the pub and tuck shop are largely irrelevant and will be seen as you being bitter.

As said, i would diarise everything, make instructions to the school very clear in letter form, keeping a copy of everything. If they continue to ignore your childs needs and your requests then you have cause for complaint!

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
When I was teaching, it was usual for parents to have to come in to school to administer insulin or check bloods. Only they or a healthcare professional could do this. Other than emergency use of an epipen, for which training is given, teachers could not perform medical prcedures. I think even now they can't. Legally it would be assault.
I have encountered several children in schools with T1 or other chronic conditions. I've never come across a case where co-operation between parents and school [ Through the SENco] didn't end in things going smoothly.
I would check the legal situation through Diabetes Uk. You can't expect teachers to flout the law as it stands.
Also surely an 8 year old can do his own blood monitoring with support from maybe a TA. I know many children do. There's no need for the BG to be too low under the circumstances and he could have a biscuit at break.
hana
 
Things have got to the point where they ignore the parents (my partners instructions) and this was Fridays readings

8am 5.9 Had Crumpets 2 units (administered by son)

10am 16.3 he had crisps (not noted in diary)

12pm before lunch 18.9 4 units (administered by son)

2pm 20.3 nothing in his diary

3pm 17.0


This is a typical Day at the school. Apparently there are staff at School that have been trained :shock:

I'm going to look into the legalities. My Partner did do the shots when he was first Diagnosed.

To be honest it's fairly simple at home. What gets me is it's all Maths :***:
 
The dsn and yourselfand the school should have drawn up a care plan for your child. It is known for parents to aid with medication, for which they can claim dla for their child.

Sons levels.. Apart from morning..they also need attention from your nurse, the example you gave are way, way too high... Hyper not hypo....
 
Under the Equality Act 2010 diabetes is a disability and is protected under the law against discrimination... As far as I'm aware ADHD is not! Keep a diary and threaten to take action is what I would do, nobody would dare treat my child like that no matter who they were!


Diagnosed with GD in 2010, Completely disappeared postpartum. Re-diagnosed December 2012 with type 1.5 diabetes, age 26, BMI 23 currently controlled by only Metformin, 500mg twice a day.
 
I don't have a child, but I do work in a school.

I would suggest a you ask for a meeting with the head teacher, school nurse, and the SEN coordinator. All of those people should be involved in writing a care plan that is available to all your child's teachers so that they know how best to help your child. They also need to be aware that there are times when your child may be late for school or may need time off for medical appointments. And also when to call you if there is any problem with your child's care.

Diabetes itself may not be be a special educational need like ADHD, but making sure your child's BG levels are good is an educational need as well as a health need. And the clearer you make your expectations the better the quality of care your child will get.

Go into the meeting with an open mind and the idea that you need to teach the school how to help your child. They aren't going to automatically know how best to care for a diabetic child but you, as a parent who copes with this every day, will know and you can help them understand what they need to do. You'll get much further with that frame of mine than if you go in angry and complaining. And as others have said, also keep a diary of any problems, BG readings, bullying reported by your child, anything you are concerned about. And at each meeting present that and ask what is going to be done to help with those issues and at subsuquent meetings ask for proof of action being taken.

Be persistent, and be clear about your expectations, and you should be able to get everything sorted out.
 
I know of a child who had her hospital dsn go in to school.. She was 7. It may be good to see if your hospital dsn could be involved because a normal school nurse will not have the expertise in handling diabetic children....
 
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