Teaacher 'forgetting' ds's poor hearing

[Easy]

Ds has had problems with his left ear since last July, before he started school. As he started school, I told his reception teacher that his hearing wasn't good on the left side, and she might want to remember that to help with where he sits in the classroom, how he reacts when they are doing activities etc.

On several occasions he had time off for hearing tests, and hospital appointments, each time I wrote to his teacher, explaining why he would be absent. At parents evening before easter his teacher and I discussed the hearing loss in his left ear.

After Easter ds was moved up to year 1. Once again, I mentioned to his (new) teacher that ds had poor hearing on his left side.

Two weeks ago he went for surgery. I had written a letter to his teacher explaining that he had been called for surgery to his left ear, and he would be absent from school for 2 weeks.

Yesterday ds returned to school. He has a small piece of cotton wool in his ear, for all to see (it stops the AB drops from running out). When childminder picked ds up from school, his teacher said that they'ed had one or two problems, as ds had not listened when asked to do things, seemed not to hear her properly.

When childminder mentioned that he might not be able to hear because of his hearing probs, teacher seemed surprised. I don't know where she thinks he was for the last 2 weeks.

Childminder suggests I write a note to teacher explaining it all AGAIN. Of course I will (and speak to her when I drop off on Thurs morning), but don't you think it should have sunk in by now ??

And how do I stop myself getting angry/patronising when I explain it all AGAIN

[NomDePlume]

Gawd, how infuritaing . I'd write a letter to the headteacher, cc'ing the class teacher in. I know it seems a bit 'formal' but you'll drive yourself around the bend if you have to explain this any more !

[coppertop]

Could you contact the SENCO and explain it to them instead? They may also have some useful strategies for the teacher to use to help ds. It also makes it more official IYKWIM so that the teacher has someone other than you to answer to if they forget again.

[Easy]

I never thought about the SENCO coppertop.

To be honest I hadn't though of it as a major problem, he just tends to say "pardon" a lot if there is a lot of background noise.

From what the childminder said, it seems that teacher thought he was taking the mickey yesterday.

[coppertop]

The SENCO would probably also be able to explain it all to ds' Yr1 teacher when he changes to the next class in September. They may be able to point out a couple of things that the teacher hadn't already thought of, eg letting him sit nearer the front of the class, facing him when talking, talking to him from his 'good' side etc. Teachers don't seem to be allocated much time for learning about SN so these kinds of things may not have even occurred to her. Still annoying though.

[Easy]

Thanks, I thought teachers knew about that sort of thing anyway.

Ds isn't going to move again after Summer, they moved him up after Easter (to make more room in reception).

Will definately explore the SENCO route tho'. What should I say to teacher on Thursday?