Author Topic: The Teachers' Thread (Read 180788 times)

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1920 on:** October 7, 2020, 09:13:46 pm »

Quote from: smicer07 on October 7, 2020, 09:00:52 pm

Fear I suppose. Classes of 30, small classrooms with social distancing impossible, little to no cleaning between lessons, I'm worried about bringing it home to my new born. First time in 18 years that I'm considering doing something else instead.

Yeah, we’ve got quite small classrooms too.

Just need to be careful to not get with 2 meters. It is possible. Fuck knows what’s happening at the back of my class. I don’t go there.

I’m not touching any work, they hand it all in on teams.

I reek of hand sanitiser, I could catch fire if I go near a flame. We have wipes for teachers and we wipe down ourselves at the end and start of lessons. Classroom are only used by one year group.

Your little one is very very unlikely to have serious issues of contracting the virus. It doesn’t seem to really affect really young kids. Whilst it’s scary, you’re really unlikely to be putting your little one at risk.

Think of the pluses. How much accountability have you seen? Has it made anything worse?

CraigDS · « **Reply #1921 on:** October 23, 2020, 05:33:29 pm »

So my GF handed her notice in today. She starts her PhD in Jan and obv has to give plenty of notice.

The Head and Head of Dept were in tears apparently but actually quite supportive. Think it helped she wasn't leaving to go to another school.

The head recommended she gets her name down for supply teaching (and they are apparently going to contact her directly once they know her uni schedule. Anyone done supply teaching before - any tips I can pass on to her?

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1922 on:** October 23, 2020, 05:36:35 pm »

Go armed.

CraigDS · « **Reply #1923 on:** October 23, 2020, 05:43:18 pm »

Quote from: Tepid T₂O on October 23, 2020, 05:36:35 pm

Go armed.

That was already my advice

McrRed · « **Reply #1924 on:** October 23, 2020, 06:10:24 pm »

If its in her old school it'll be a doddle.

Hardest thing is trying to establish a reputation but if the kids already know her I'm sure she'll be fine.

androulla · « **Reply #1925 on:** October 24, 2020, 03:50:01 pm »

Hope you all manage to enjoy the half-term break and switch off a bit x

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1926 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:31:34 pm »

Hope everyone is having a good half term.

Just a few questions for anyone who has done a Head of Year role before - how many free periods should you be getting per week?

There's 6 head of Years in the school and having looked at their timetables they all seem to have more free time than me
I teach English to every single year group this year whereas the other HOY either only teach A Level subjects and KS4 mainly or aren't a full time teacher anyway.

We have 8 x 40 minute lessons per day. I currently have the following frees per day of 40 minutes so I teach 30 out of 40 lessons per week.

Monday- 0
Tuesday - 2
Wednesday- 3
Thursday - 2
Friday- 3

Does that seem about right? I've never done this role before so genuinely have no idea.

CraigDS · « **Reply #1927 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:36:36 pm »

My missus used to get 11 (55 mins) over 2 weeks when she was HoY.

She’s also an English teacher, as well as being one of two who handled the A-Level Eng Lang course.

As with you, she got less than the others and eventually she ended up giving it up as they didn’t give her any more despite saying they would.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1928 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:39:14 pm »

Quote from: Craig 🤔 on October 26, 2020, 07:36:36 pm

My missus used to get 11 over 2 weeks when she was HoY.

She’s also an English teacher, as well as being one of two who handled the A-Level Eng Lang course.

As with you, she got less than the others and eventually she ended up giving it up as they didn’t give her any more despite saying they would.

Cheers.

Yeah I'm teaching A Level for the first time in 6 years as well with a totally different course.

I feel sometimes like I'm overloaded. For example if something kicks off with my year group on a Monday I literally have no time at all in the day other than a break or lunch time to try and sort it out.

I'm only doing this role temporary until someone comes back from maternity (probably around Arpil time). The pay is nice for me at the minute as planning a wedding but definitely wouldn't want to do it full time as it's more stress than its worth IMO

TheKid. · « **Reply #1929 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:45:44 pm »

HoY here, also temporary although the person I was covering for is back and head of a different year now so who knows how long I’ll last as it

I get 11 or 12 non contact a fortnight (which is more than my HoD)

Still love the role though; I’d never wanted to progress as a curriculum leader but found my niche with pastoral

CraigDS · « **Reply #1930 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:46:30 pm »

Yeah she teaches A-Level Lit too, but her school decided they wanted to offer Language so her and another teacher (being the only two with experience) designed the course and are the only two who teach it. Not that the school recognise that as they get fuck all extra for it.

She started with HoY when someone went off on sick so her timetable didn’t allow for extra frees. It was only meant to be temp but ended up being for the whole year as the other teacher never returned. They promised extra frees when the timetables were being done for the following year as she was given it permanently but they actually took an hour off her - she had to fight to get more and ended up with the same as previously.

Come the following year they did the same again, and she ended up giving it up part way through that year (this was Feb 2020) as it was just too much. Was a 4 and a bit grand paycut but she was so much happier.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1931 on:** October 26, 2020, 07:52:01 pm »

Quote from: TheKid. on October 26, 2020, 07:45:44 pm

HoY here, also temporary although the person I was covering for is back and head of a different year now so who knows how long I’ll last as it

I get 11 or 12 non contact a fortnight (which is more than my HoD)

Still love the role though; I’d never wanted to progress as a curriculum leader but found my niche with pastoral

Are those frees an hour long?

TheKid. · « **Reply #1932 on:** October 26, 2020, 08:13:49 pm »

Oh yeah sorry, all of the 50 lessons on the timetable are 1 hour (meaning so are the non contact times)

cornishscouser92 · « **Reply #1933 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:20:18 pm »

Quote from: Craig 🤔 on October 23, 2020, 05:33:29 pm

So my GF handed her notice in today. She starts her PhD in Jan and obv has to give plenty of notice.

The Head and Head of Dept were in tears apparently but actually quite supportive. Think it helped she wasn't leaving to go to another school.

The head recommended she gets her name down for supply teaching (and they are apparently going to contact her directly once they know her uni schedule. Anyone done supply teaching before - any tips I can pass on to her?

I currently do it, as a male PE teacher it's a scrap for a permanent role.

It's sound to be honest, most schools in Liverpool aren't bad at all. Just follow the school's behavioural policy, once they get to know you it's lovely.

CraigDS · « **Reply #1934 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:34:40 pm »

Quote from: cornishscouser92 on October 27, 2020, 10:20:18 pm

I currently do it, as a male PE teacher it's a scrap for a permanent role.

It's sound to be honest, most schools in Liverpool aren't bad at all. Just follow the school's behavioural policy, once they get to know you it's lovely.

He many sort of days do you tend to get mate?

cornishscouser92 · « **Reply #1935 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:36:07 pm »

Quote from: Craig 🤔 on October 27, 2020, 10:34:40 pm

He many sort of days do you tend to get mate?

5 days most weeks. It tends to be quieter the first 3-4 weeks of term in September, usually gets mad after that.

CraigDS · « **Reply #1936 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:39:26 pm »

Quote from: cornishscouser92 on October 27, 2020, 10:36:07 pm

5 days most weeks. It tends to be quieter the first 3-4 weeks of term in September, usually gets mad after that.

Oh wow, so loads then. That all relatively local?

cornishscouser92 · « **Reply #1937 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:49:48 pm »

Quote from: Craig 🤔 on October 27, 2020, 10:39:26 pm

Oh wow, so loads then. That all relatively local?

I've been in quite a lot of Liverpool schools yeah, the odd one on the Wirral and a couple in Warrington. Depends on which subject; Maths, English & Science will be in higher demand.

McrRed · « **Reply #1938 on:** November 4, 2020, 07:31:00 pm »

Monbiot on how local expertise was outsourced to serco script kiddies on the 17th September. Did you notice the advice being given change? I certainly did:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/03/advice-schools-covid-infection-pupils-classrooms-test-and-trace?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

smicer07 · « **Reply #1939 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:05:46 pm »

How's Covid going? Had 2 positive cases in my year 8 class this week...

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1940 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:09:51 pm »

2 cases in the sixth form.
2 in year 11
Two staff.....

But loads of staff isolating. We are hanging on by the skin of our teeth.

TheKid. · « **Reply #1941 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:29:45 pm »

Not had any since half term - I’ve obviously jinxed that now though

Buck Pete · « **Reply #1942 on:** November 16, 2020, 10:51:14 am »

Quote from: smicer07 on November 15, 2020, 08:05:46 pm

How's Covid going? Had 2 positive cases in my year 8 class this week...

Daughter was due to go back to her High School in Stockport today after maternity leave. (She's a teacher not a pupil

)

Got a call from the head yesterday afternoon. Outbreak of staff infections so don't bother

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1943 on:** November 17, 2020, 02:46:33 pm »

What do people think of this?

I'm a Head of Year this year for the first time, not had any training so just learning as I go along.

I have 4 form tutors for my year group but 3 are off long term. (1 stress and 2 shielding with covid). My school is independent so we do our own cover. They have got in some supply none the less but at the moment I'm being asked to cover a form every day both morning and afternoon because of this meaning I have no time to sort out and pastoral issues in the year group.

Do you think this is something that should be challenged? I have a feeling I'm going to burn out as don't feel this is sustainable on top of a pretty busy timetable of teaching.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1944 on:** November 17, 2020, 05:59:02 pm »

Quote from: UntouchableLuis on November 17, 2020, 02:46:33 pm

What do people think of this?

I'm a Head of Year this year for the first time, not had any training so just learning as I go along.

I have 4 form tutors for my year group but 3 are off long term. (1 stress and 2 shielding with covid). My school is independent so we do our own cover. They have got in some supply none the less but at the moment I'm being asked to cover a form every day both morning and afternoon because of this meaning I have no time to sort out and pastoral issues in the year group.

Do you think this is something that should be challenged? I have a feeling I'm going to burn out as don't feel this is sustainable on top of a pretty busy timetable of teaching.

You lost me at independent school...

The first step is to let them know you’re struggling. It’s easy to lose sight amidst the struggle to keep schools open. Just be honest.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1945 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:29:14 pm »

Quote from: Tepid T₂O on November 17, 2020, 05:59:02 pm

You lost me at independent school...

The first step is to let them know you’re struggling. It’s easy to lose sight amidst the struggle to keep schools open. Just be honest.

It's basically impossible to do the Head of Year role effectively and be a form tutor every day at the same time- that's my issue. Will see how the next few days go.

TheKid. · « **Reply #1946 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:35:47 pm »

Yep. Form time is the ideal time to visit groups and pick up any issues - you can’t do that if you’ve got a group yourself

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #1947 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:42:05 pm »

3 teachers off with Covid and 11 isolating (might include those 3) in total at my son’s school. Is that about par for the course at the moment?

CraigDS · « **Reply #1948 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:45:44 pm »

Quote from: BIG DICK NICK on November 17, 2020, 06:42:05 pm

3 teachers off with Covid and 11 isolating (might include those 3) in total at my son’s school. Is that about par for the course at the moment?

My Gf's school has had similar numbers in recent weeks, although think they have less this week.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1949 on:** November 17, 2020, 06:50:27 pm »

Quote from: BIG DICK NICK on November 17, 2020, 06:42:05 pm

3 teachers off with Covid and 11 isolating (might include those 3) in total at my son’s school. Is that about par for the course at the moment?

Yep...

We’ve got 10 off. We’ve got some off with normal issues too. Really hard to carry on.

Our cover bill is astronomical.

Essentially, we’re going to run out of money.

TheKid. · « **Reply #1950 on:** November 17, 2020, 07:23:33 pm »

Yeah sounds similar to our numbers too. We have long term supply and some other pastoral staff who take care of most of the cover so the bill isn’t that bad yet

AndyInVA · « **Reply #1951 on:** November 18, 2020, 12:38:43 pm »

My wife’s school is 100% virtual and the teachers teach from their classrooms to kids at home. Last week they still had 5 teachers out with Cvd. It is pretty active in this area after about 6 months.

wz4jc3 · « **Reply #1952 on:** January 3, 2021, 11:53:15 am »

I haven’t posted in the teacher thread for sometime, so I thought it best to give a reminder for primary teachers and parents out there about my free maths resource website:

https://myminimaths.co.uk/

The website is completely free to use and contains 1000s of daily maths tasks. Many 100s of schools use the site daily and throughout lockdown and found the resources easy to link for quick access for their pupils, so I hope that you will find it very useful.

There is also an extensive set of practice papers for Year 6 SATs, along with target question practice and help videos to support pupils in preparation for KS2 SATs.

Arithmetic practice papers are here:
https://myminimaths.co.uk/year-6-arithmetic-practice-papers/

Take care everybody and I hope everybody has a safe return to their primary schools tomorrow.

Riquende · « **Reply #1953 on:** January 4, 2021, 10:27:33 am »

Back in today and briefed on the plan for mass testing. Due to the difficulty in getting DBS checks in etc for any community volunteers they won't be asking for any and they want school staff to form teams of 20 (I'd be surprised if we can scrape a single team together, let alone multiple) to administer a test to all students in each year bubble every 3 days.

I had my first experience of a rapid test last week, it made me gag and my eyes water like anything. Watching a thousand teenagers fuss over this every few days is going to be a pain, to say the least.

rob1966 · « **Reply #1954 on:** January 4, 2021, 10:37:28 am »

Quote from: Riquende on January 4, 2021, 10:27:33 am

Back in today and briefed on the plan for mass testing. Due to the difficulty in getting DBS checks in etc for any community volunteers they won't be asking for any and they want school staff to form teams of 20 (I'd be surprised if we can scrape a single team together, let alone multiple) to administer a test to all students in each year bubble every 3 days.

I had my first experience of a rapid test last week, it made me gag and my eyes water like anything. Watching a thousand teenagers fuss over this every few days is going to be a pain, to say the least.

My lads school is still waiting to hear what they need to do over the testing, good luck to them having to deal with this.If I had to test him at home, there would be murder as he's a fucking stroppy little shit these days. First day of remote learning and I already want to strangle him.

rakey_lfc · « **Reply #1955 on:** January 5, 2021, 01:23:17 pm »

Wow, the last two days have been pretty fucking stressful. Deputy Head teacher in a specialist provision.

Spent most of the day yesterday learning all the Covid testing protocols and working out how we're going to test students. Today has been spent contacting every parent because all of ours have EHCP's which means by government guidance they're vulnerable. All staff WFH bar SLT today and likely tomorrow, with 0 students currently on site.

The government have made a real fucking mess of this and I'm definitely picking up the pieces as I'd imagine millions over the country are.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1956 on:** January 5, 2021, 01:37:08 pm »

What fun eh?

Another 6 months of unplanned chaos.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #1957 on:** January 5, 2021, 01:50:04 pm »

This is hell.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1958 on:** January 5, 2021, 01:52:20 pm »

Looks like there might be some gcse exams next in the summer.

Maybe English maths and possibly science.

I’m at a loss to understand why A levels have gone myself. Slim them down? Maybe. But my kids are bewildered as to why they can’t sit them.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #1959 on:** January 5, 2021, 03:50:58 pm »

Good luck to everyone - it's going to be a really bumpy half term. I think this will be in some ways easier than last time as we are all more competent with remote learning aspects, as are the kids, but in other ways far more stressful.

I think parents will demand more from teachers this time (certainly in my independent school!)

Testing is a big concern. Ours is still going ahead for staff and students on site with a body of 20 or so staff selected to assist with the process (myself included as a HOY).

I'm worried how I'm going to juggle my part in the testing process, teach online a pretty full timetable (I teach every single year group other than Year 13) and do my HOY duties.