Topic: The Teachers' Thread

[Red_Bear]

This has been the way the head as acted since day one. She first buried her head in the sand and coronavirus didn't get mentioned once until a day or two before schools shut.

She's since made teachers come in to spend entire days in the school despite them not having to look after the (2) kids who are still coming in. Now they have to come in and spend an entire day in a various meetings face to face.

The deputy who has got it is a relatively young guy (late 30's I think) and was the one who came into school the most as I believe he is the most active teacher out of the head team if that makes sense. So I doubt it's much of a stretch to suggest he likely contracted it within the school. They've had other cases of teachers who went on self isolation prior to schools closing due to showing symptoms, including my gf, and the head even asked those in isolation to come in a few days after the schools closed to have planning meetings which should have been held weeks earlier (my gf refused but who knows if others did).

As you say, bizarre and completely irresponsible.

Isn't your GF, or any of the other teachers, in a union? Surely they'd have something to say about that? It's totally out of order that they're not doing these meetings via Zoom. I'd be tempted to contact other teachers and take a stand together and refuse to go in - preferably with union backing, of course, but if not to do that anyway.

[rakey_lfc]

Back on site next week on a rota. I'm in 1 day a week on a Friday. Not too bad.

[God's Left Peg]

Snip

That Head Teacher is a fucking disgrace. The unions should be all over her like a rash.

[CraigDS]

That Head Teacher is a fucking disgrace. The unions should be all over her like a rash.

It's not even the half of how she's acted both during this and since she 'came to power' in the last few years.

[God's Left Peg]

It's not even the half of how she's acted both during this and since she 'came to power' in the last few years.

There are unfortunately some absolute c*nts that end up as head teachers. Your missus needs to get out of their asap and work in a healthier environment. It's just not right and it happens far too often, so before she takes her next post it's really important she does her homework on the school and, in particular, the head.

[TheKid.]

What school is it Craig? Or can’t you really say?

[CraigDS]

What school is it Craig? Or can’t you really say?

Prob shouldn't say on a public forum.

[God's Left Peg]

Prob shouldn't say on a public forum.

No. Don't.

[CraigDS]

There are unfortunately some absolute c*nts that end up as head teachers. Your missus needs to get out of their asap and work in a healthier environment. It's just not right and it happens far too often, so before she takes her next post it's really important she does her homework on the school and, in particular, the head.

They had a head teacher change a year after she joined. The old one was amazing apparently (think was head nearly 30 years, maybe more) and school was top across the board. New one has come in and made needless changes in an apparent attempt to stamp her authority from my reading of it.

[God's Left Peg]

They had a head teacher change a year after she joined. The old one was amazing apparently (think was head nearly 30 years, maybe more) and school was top across the board. New one has come in and made needless changes in an apparent attempt to stamp her authority from my reading of it.

Egotistical despot. Sad for the kids, their families and the school. Not good enough.

[TheKid.]

Prob shouldn't say on a public forum.

Aye thought so. Our head is fairly new so was just wondering whether it might somehow be where I work but from the sounds of the rest of it, it isn’t

[TheKid.]

Our DT Team is making visors/masks to send to hospitals and carers with our 3D printer and getting the kids who are in school involved in making them. They’ve made hundreds (maybe even thousands) so far and just did a godfundme to raise money for the supplies. Got over £2000 in one day. Really makes me proud

[reddebs]

Don't know if this only applies in my area or UK wide but hopefully somebody can make use of it.

Maths and English Tuition Coronavirus Update. As the virus lockdown will continue for at least another 3 weeks, from the start of the new term we are offering Live Online tutoring with your child’s Kip tutor; a very beneficial form of learning for the longer term. This method helps students to stay more engaged with learning during the weeks they are missing school.

With Kip Online, the tutor and student talk live via video/sound, but unlike some online tutoring their screens are also linked so the tutor can view and write on a student’s screen in real time, talk to them directly to give 1:1 support, watch the student’s work being written, and the student can ask questions in the moment they are working on it. As the tutor is present for the whole 80 minute lesson, the fee is the usual £31.
  Please email rotherhamnorth@kipmcgrath.co.uk for details. Take care and stay well. Jan.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[UntouchableLuis]

Remote Insets could be the way forward. Got far more done today than I ever did in a real life Inset day...

[rakey_lfc]

Remote Insets could be the way forward. Got far more done today than I ever did in a real life Inset day...

It's because you're given time to actually complete the bread and butter things of teaching, instead of listening to someone drone on about utter shite that is unrealistic and the next minute craze!

[TepidT2O]

It's because you're given time to actually complete the bread and butter things of teaching, instead of listening to someone drone on about utter shite that is unrealistic and the next minute craze!

You can access all of the research Ed Remote talks talks that happened the other day.

There really good..

Pm me if you’re infested in them

[butchersdog]

Sorry if this is the wrong thread folks, feel free to move..

I've been giving thought to a career change for a number of years (mid 30's). The lockdown has been a bit of a tipping point for me mentally in terms of self evaluation.

Long story short, I'd like to become a music teacher - it's something I've looked back on with regret for years, as I've always been musical, but made different choices when I was younger. Do any teachers, particularly music teachers, have any advice? I'm hoping to achieve Grade 8 piano in the next 2 years (currently grade 5, been playing 2 years). Also have Grade 6 classical guitar and Grade 5 music theory - likely to bolster these too. I am a graduate, but in an unrelated subject. Does anyone have any knowledge of whether it's possible to complete a music PGCE without a music degree specifically, but as a graduate in another subject but with strong qualifications from ABRSM/LCM etc? I've done some research and almost all seem to specify that you need a music degree. With that in mind, I've found a Music BA that can be completed, open university style while I still work, with an institution called the Open College of the Arts (accredited by the University of Creative Arts):

https://www.oca.ac.uk/courses/ba-music/

I've looked at the syllabus and it looks reasonable to me in terms of the topics covered, although obviously not much in terms of performance. Does anyone have any thoughts on suitability or knowledge having studied with this institution perhaps?

I know it'll likely take me 4 or 5 years to get to where I want to be, but I'm prepared to put the work in, I'm just trying to put a rough plan in place. I'd appreciate any positivity right now.

Thanks folks.

[Lady_brandybuck]

Sorry if this is the wrong thread folks, feel free to move..

I've been giving thought to a career change for a number of years (mid 30's). The lockdown has been a bit of a tipping point for me mentally in terms of self evaluation.

Long story short, I'd like to become a music teacher - it's something I've looked back on with regret for years, as I've always been musical, but made different choices when I was younger. Do any teachers, particularly music teachers, have any advice? I'm hoping to achieve Grade 8 piano in the next 2 years (currently grade 5, been playing 2 years). Also have Grade 6 classical guitar and Grade 5 music theory - likely to bolster these too. I am a graduate, but in an unrelated subject. Does anyone have any knowledge of whether it's possible to complete a music PGCE without a music degree specifically, but as a graduate in another subject but with strong qualifications from ABRSM/LCM etc? I've done some research and almost all seem to specify that you need a music degree. With that in mind, I've found a Music BA that can be completed, open university style while I still work, with an institution called the Open College of the Arts (accredited by the University of Creative Arts):

https://www.oca.ac.uk/courses/ba-music/

I've looked at the syllabus and it looks reasonable to me in terms of the topics covered, although obviously not much in terms of performance. Does anyone have any thoughts on suitability or knowledge having studied with this institution perhaps?

I know it'll likely take me 4 or 5 years to get to where I want to be, but I'm prepared to put the work in, I'm just trying to put a rough plan in place. I'd appreciate any positivity right now.

Thanks folks.

Good luck with that! That's the only positive thing I can say right now. I had one of the roughest days teaching ever, and I'm in the opposite end. I may or may not be considering a career change in the next couple of years.

[UntouchableLuis]

Good luck with that! That's the only positive thing I can say right now. I had one of the roughest days teaching ever, and I'm in the opposite end. I may or may not be considering a career change in the next couple of years.

Do you mean teaching remotely? If so, why?

[Lady_brandybuck]

Do you mean teaching remotely? If so, why?

I'm already teaching remotely, due to the coronavirus, and I hate every second of it.

[rakey_lfc]

Just waiting for Sunday now and the next government update!

[rakey_lfc]

I'm at somewhat of a cross roads in my career.

Currently my role is SENDCO on SLT in an SEMH provision, I've been here for two years with very little support from our trust and now on our third headteacher in that time, added to the fact I've been acting headteacher twice in that time due to our deputy having long term sick as well. I've learn't loads but not necessarily about my role as a day to day SENDCo, I don't really enjoy that role, my background was always T&L and with our entire roll having EHCP's, it's lots of Annual Reviews which I am well behind on. Ofsted went horrendously as a result but we maintain we're not that rating of a school. I was able to correct parts with our team. Senior trust level had changes and our Exec Principal is now a man who was my PE teacher and then NQT mentor/colleague. Someone who I rate highly and have great admiration for. Now we've got new headteacher, who seems decent enough and is already making radical changes which are needed and has a very good proposal for September which we need to get passed the LEA and the trust.

Our deputy announced he's leaving, despite his absence he remains a good colleague and a friend. His role is T&L. I've been asked by our head whether I want the deputy role and what I would like to do as a role, T&L / SENCO or PDBW or even under a bracket of Quality of Education and a combination of each, I have little experience of PDBW and what expectations would be, don't really like SENCO and not sure I want T&L in the school.

I've applied elsewhere, but not getting interviews, going for SLT jobs with very little experience in an alternate provision appears to be hindering me, can't afford a pay cut as my income is our main source. On the back of this, I am starting my own business up later in the year with a view of leaving teaching in the next 5 years.

Now I don't know what to do, obviously I'll probably end up staying where I am, which I do enjoy despite the difficulties. Do I take the deputy role? If so, under what bracket? Extra money may help the business but time taken away will hinder. If I don't take it, I don't know if they're going to replace the role so it'll land on my desk anyways without the pay?

Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated?

[UntouchableLuis]

Just waiting for Sunday now and the next government update!

Our place seems to be of the opinion year 10 and 12 are likely to be back in the week after half term on some sort of phased plan.

To be honest I can't fault my school at all during this. They've been absolutely fair with the rota, put the needs of the staff first, not put us under ridiculous pressure to do live online lessons or do unreasonable things with the remote learning process.

I'm hoping we do go back after half term - I think it will put people more at ease if it's safe to do so rather than waiting until September. I also think if schools go back September instead then you're going to get a lot of schools asking staff to put on summer activities, days in school etc to make up for a perceived 'loss of time' when actually a lot of schools have provided a very good remote service throughout this period with lots of teachers working very hard as well as looking after their own children at home and trying to ensure they follow the remote learning process too.

From a selfish perspective and working at a private school I also feel like the longer this goes on with no return for everyone then the more likely some parents will start to demand fees back, putting jobs at risk, or demand unrealistic expectations from teachers.

[CraigDS]

The young deputy head from my gf's school that I've mentioned before is still on a ventilator. Nearly a month now as went on it around 10th April I believe. They've said they've one last thing to try but not looking good.

Despite this, the head had them all in for meetings again yesterday. She was also meant to be in last week for a full day, not for meetings or to look after any kids just because the head is insisting on it - she refused to go though.

They are working on the assumption that if years 10 and 12 go back soon then they will only teach English and Maths to Y10, this will be done in groups of around 50 socially distanced (so 3 lessons) in the main hall. Pretty much all other rooms can hold a max of 9 but most only around 6 pupils.

I wonder just how many parents will actually send their kids in though. So many were off in the week before the lock down as their parents took decisive action, and wonder if a load will do the same again.

[TheKid.]

And that’s my problem with schools opening for year 10 and year 12 as is being mooted - if parents choose for their children not to come back to school yet, then they will fall much further behind than if the (albeit inconsistent) distance learning continued

[CraigDS]

And that’s my problem with schools opening for year 10 and year 12 as is being mooted - if parents choose for their children not to come back to school yet, then they will fall much further behind than if the (albeit inconsistent) distance learning continued

Plus are teachers then going to be expected to both teach online to those not coming in and teach in schools to those who do. Given the in school lessons are likely to be lecture style to that many it's doubtful the work is easily transferable to online.

Plus still having to set work for the others years too of course.

[rakey_lfc]

Bit of advice needed please. Our deputy head (T&L) is leaving, school aren't replacing him. I've been offered the new deputy role which is Quality of Education and SEND. A merge of both our roles.However, I've been offered less pay than the current deputy is on for his current role, he's had 1 more year teaching. We've had 3 headteachers in two years which means I've had no PM and no chance at a pay increase. If I did, then I would have been on the same amount I've been offered for the new role.
Do I bite the bullet and keep asking to be on par and not take the role, possibly be forced out longer term as I won't fit into the new staffing structure. Or do I say thank you take the role for what's being offered financially!? It works out about £2 extra a day after tax.
I've been acting head twice because when our heads have gone, the deputy has gone on long term sick. I've out performed him massively over the passed two years.
Thanks in advance.

[TepidT2O]

Take the role.

You should negotiate a scale that increases until you would be ahead of the the old deputy in a couple of years.

Financial certainty is worth its weight in gold right now

[rakey_lfc]

Take the role.

You should negotiate a scale that increases until you would be ahead of the the old deputy in a couple of years.

Financial certainty is worth its weight in gold right now

I've taken it. Not entirely what I wanted pay wise but a decent increase and they've said they would fund me to do my NPQH award as well.

[TepidT2O]

I've taken it. Not entirely what I wanted pay wise but a decent increase and they've said they would fund me to do my NPQH award as well.

Good luck...

Try and find some good examples of similar schools and seek advice help from them ....

Most schools are usually really helpful..

[rakey_lfc]

Good luck...

Try and find some good examples of similar schools and seek advice help from them ....

Most schools are usually really helpful..

Thanks.

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

Good luck to all that have gone back today.

[Disregarder]

Hi RAWK teachers

I've just been appointed to a role as a secondary maths and science teacher (KS3 only) after 16 years as a primary teacher.  I'm buzzing about the job and it's in a lovely school just over the border into Wales.  I'm teaching 0.5 FTE plus extra periods where I'm doing a catch-up programme for essential skills in maths for Year 7 pupils.  The vibe about the place seemed very relaxed when I visited last week, although not all students are back so hard to judge what it's normally like.

I've met the staff and SLT and they all seem really friendly and sound but my head is spinning at the moment as I've never taught in a secondary setting before.

How do I start the new term off in September?  Do I settle the new students in e.g. a few fun lessons to start before knuckling  down to it?  Do I aim to be strict on the kids right from the get go then loosen up a bit later on? 

Exciting and scary at the same time!

[TepidT2O]

Hi Dis.

Noses to the grind stone right away.  They’ve missed a large amount of schooling, they need to work and work hard! 

Have clear expectations and follow the behaviour policy closely is the best idea.

[CraigDS]

Pick one of them out and make them cry. Assert your dominance. Make them scared. Maybe wear an eye patch and walk with a limp which you can tell them you got in a bare knuckle boxing match during the summer.

[Crosby Nick]

Pick one of them out and make them cry. Assert your dominance. Make them scared. Maybe wear an eye patch and walk with a limp which you can tell them you got in a bare knuckle boxing match during the summer.

Wear a mortar board and gown at all times too. Walk with a cane and don’t be afraid to use it from time to time. Show them who’s boss.

[UntouchableLuis]

Hi RAWK teachers

I've just been appointed to a role as a secondary maths and science teacher (KS3 only) after 16 years as a primary teacher.  I'm buzzing about the job and it's in a lovely school just over the border into Wales.  I'm teaching 0.5 FTE plus extra periods where I'm doing a catch-up programme for essential skills in maths for Year 7 pupils.  The vibe about the place seemed very relaxed when I visited last week, although not all students are back so hard to judge what it's normally like.

I've met the staff and SLT and they all seem really friendly and sound but my head is spinning at the moment as I've never taught in a secondary setting before.

How do I start the new term off in September?  Do I settle the new students in e.g. a few fun lessons to start before knuckling  down to it?  Do I aim to be strict on the kids right from the get go then loosen up a bit later on? 

Exciting and scary at the same time!

From my experience (going into 7th year as a secondary teacher in September) it's definitely best to get straight down to teaching in the first lesson.

I usually do a 5 minute or so speech about basic expectations then start teaching and show them you mean the expectations. Stick to them as much as you can. If you say you don't accept talking over the teacher then even if someone whispers at the back when you're talking stop the lesson and tell them it's rude and that they are on a warning.

[CraigDS]

From my experience (going into 7th year as a secondary teacher in September) it's definitely best to get straight down to teaching in the first lesson.

I usually do a 5 minute or so speech about basic expectations then start teaching and show them you mean the expectations. Stick to them as much as you can. If you say you don't accept talking over the teacher then even if someone whispers at the back when you're talking stop the lesson and tell them it's rude and that they are on a warning.

And then throw your keys at the next one who talks.

[McrRed]

It absolutely terrified me at first, going from primary to secondary. I soon realised there was no difference between Y5 and Y11. I used to have big-assed wannabe gangsters asking me for reward stickers here in downtown Manchester.

I think your primary experience will set you up perfectly for secondary...and as you say, having a bit off fun will get you off to a good start - unless you subscribe to the don't smile until May philosophy.

It being a nice school is a wonderful break. They're lucky to have you!

[Disregarder]

Thanks for the replies, even the daft ones. I remember on my first day in Y7 about 30 years ago a science teacher pinned a lad to the desk by his throat for talking out of turn. Bernie Brassnuts he was called from that day. What a prick.

I'm sure ill get into the swing of things. I've done year 6 straight to year 1 and coped all right. Just want it to go well for me and them.