I don't like my ds's HT

[deeeja]

The head-teacher at my ds's school makes me feel uncomfortable by his behaviour. He man-handles the children and not in a friendly way. He picked up a boy, and forced him to sit on his lap while the boy was screaming "no no". He didn't let him go, and kept him there, restraining him with his arms.
He also physically handles my son, and the last time I saw this, I moved my son away quickly. I have spoken to my son about this, and he says that the HT has never handled him physically, but it would be difficult to ask my ds, because he has as, and so doesn't report things accurately anyway. But the incident with the boy is very disturbing.
Is it appropriate for the HT to handle a child like this. At the least it was humiliating for the boy, but I am worrying about whether it is assault.
Advice please

[orangehead]

What have other mums said?

[ladymariner]

Why did he pick the boy up? sounds a bit odd to me, tbh, were you there at the time?

[S1ur]

It isn't necessarily assault. Teachers are allowed to restrain children to prevent damage to people or things. But nearly all teachers never exercise this.

I would be slighttly cautious about judging situation unless I knew child concerned. In that he could have been about to harm self or others.

If you're worried you could ask to see policy on physical restraint?

[deeeja]

My dh saw it, and told me about it. He picked up the boy to make him apologise for misbehaving the day before at school, th boy is in reception. He also told my ds off for not sitting on the carpet, he knows my ds has as and I think it is unacceptable. My ds just said sorry straight away and ran off to his classroom apparantly, he probably doesn't know what he was apologising for and just wanted to get away.
The other parents don't like him much, but have not spoken about this incident to anyone yet. I don't know the boy's mum, she is a bit 'tough' and unnapproachable.
This is not what HT's usually do is it?
He is also the SENCO, so should know better about 'not sitting still on the carpet'.

[deeeja]

The boy wa snot about to harm self or others, he was just walking to his class teacher at the time.
The child does not attack other children.

[deeeja]

was not

[S1ur]

Well certainly on face value it does sound inappropriate. Not assault or abuse but not appropriate or effective teaching.

I suspect that if this is a problem then other members of staff are aware. Perhaps you could ask his class teacher about incident involving your ds in a subtle way