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Secondary education

My placement school is a shit tip

78 replies

AuroraFloyd · 27/06/2017 07:53

I'm starting teacher training in September and I've been visiting my placement school to get to know people, learn the routines etc.

Unfortunately, the state of the school is horrific. It is badly in need of a lick of paint, the corridors near the pupil toilets stink of piss, the carpets are covered in old chewing gum, threadbare and literally have holes in them. There are holes in doors (presumably where they have been kicked), basic maintenance like missing door handles needs doing, the windows and sills are filthy, the staff toilets are in disrepair (with one being used as a store cupboard for broken furniture). None of the tables/desks and chairs match and are clearly ancient and shabby.

I'm genuinely shocked and appalled at the state of the school. It is currently "good" but has been "needs improvement" for many years. I would love to ask if they actually have a caretaker or any cleaners but obviously I wouldn't!

Furthermore, I'm uneasy about the lax procedures I've witnessed. As a visitor to the school I would have expected a quick fire safety briefing, maybe a quick tour of the school to help me get my bearings - here's the staffroom/canteen/toilets etc but there was nothing. No one has checked my ID or DBS certificate and after 1 visit I'm now told to make my way down to the department I'm visiting on my own. At break and lunch I'm left to wander the corridors alone to find the staffroom and toilets.

This is all in stark contrast to other schools I've visited and my own high school. I'm not happy with what I've seen but I don't think there is anything I can do.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 27/06/2017 07:58

If you're there because you're starting a placement in September and it's organised enough for you to be doing prelim visits, your dsb will have been sent through from the uni / organisation (e.g. Teach first) you're under so you will have been checked.

You might be surprised about Caretakers- ours have been cut from 2 full time to 1 2 hours a day in the last 5 years.

There is no money to replace desks. Ancient and shabby is fine.

PotteringAlong · 27/06/2017 07:59

Ps, don't refer to your placement school as a "shit tip"

ArtemisiaGentilleschi · 27/06/2017 08:00

I think you might be in for a few surprises in your proposed career.

notanurse2017 · 27/06/2017 08:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notanurse2017 · 27/06/2017 08:02

This reply has been deleted

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Whynotnowbaby · 27/06/2017 08:04

It does sound bad, schools have very little money so have to prioritise but should have dealt with anything that is or could become a health and safety issue. If you are doing your qualification through an external provider (university or SCITT) then they will have been sent confirmation of your DBS already I would imagine. Things like induction briefings and tours of schools generally happen when all students have arrived as part of the formal programme. I wouldn't be too worried about that, if there's a fire instructions will be given and there will be children walking to the correct assembly point. I'm not sure we do much as a matter of course from that point of view. As long as they have received the Dbs it's not a problem for them to be asking you to make your own way to the department. People will be busy and collecting someone who knows where to go is not a good use of their time.

Heratnumber7 · 27/06/2017 08:04

As a parent, I'd far rather any spare money was spent on education rather than carpets.

The school I went to in the 70s was the same school my grandfather went to, and it's still going strong. Modern and chic it isn't, but they get good results.

pollyhampton · 27/06/2017 08:04

I think you might be in the wrong career if your main concerns are the aesthetics and where the toilets are.

Theworldisfullofidiots · 27/06/2017 08:04

It's money - there isn't any.
My sons school gets painted because the parents come in over the summer holidays and do it. Same with local secondary.

WinifredAtwellsOtherPiano · 27/06/2017 08:05

The state of the physical school is unfortunate but not the end of the world. As others have said, they'll have seen your DBS. I do think the lack of a fire safety briefing in your orientation is a real lapse, but it's a common one unfortunately.

BareBum · 27/06/2017 08:06

Schools falling into disrepair isn't fine. Why should children and teachers have to work in such an awful environment?

MsJolly · 27/06/2017 08:07

Well you'll have some good reflection work to do on safe guarding etc

AradiasDaughter · 27/06/2017 08:08

I used to be a primary school teacher and have taught in a wide range of settings. I suggest you

BertrandRussell · 27/06/2017 08:08

"Why should children and teachers have to work in such an awful environment?"

They shouldn't. What do you suggest the school does about it?

IndianaMoleWoman · 27/06/2017 08:09

Which staff would you recommend they cut to pay for the shiny new furniture?

AradiasDaughter · 27/06/2017 08:11

Posted too soon.

I suggest you get used to this very quickly, there's no money. Have you checked the ofsted results. That will teach you what you need to know about the setting including the standards of teaching. I'd rather a "shit tip" and good results rather than a palace and crap results. You've heard of the phrase "all fur coat and no knickers"

willconcern · 27/06/2017 08:12

There is no money. Support staff like caretakers are being cut up the bare minimum. It is appalling and makes me very very angry. Imagine the morale of staff at that school. It must be very very low.

This is a political issue.

LordTrash · 27/06/2017 08:12

I don't see why people are giving the OP a hard time. FGS, having an opinion on the state of the fixtures and fittings is not the same as being judgey about pupils!

Schools funding is dire, and about to get worse, and a poor environment DOES affect all kinds of things, from safety to mental health. If I were a parent there, I wouldn't be shrugging and saying 'Oh well'. I'd be bending the ear of whoever would listen.

On the brighter side, the school is considered suitable for placement, so teaching and management must be good, so take heart from that.

FlossyMooToo · 27/06/2017 08:16

My DS goes to a £10 million brand new academy. All fancy equipment and posh.

Its 3 years old and offsted have rated it needs improvement. Its a shit school tbh and their answer to everything is to put kids in isolation. Offsted picked up on this and closed the school for a day straight after their inspection. A new head is now in place but little seems to have changed.

Point is looks are not everything.

GrumpyMcGrumpFace · 27/06/2017 08:17

before you jump in with both feet, are you happy with the people you'll be working with in your department?

IME, all the spangly chairs and clean carpets cannot replace good support through your PGCE year. It's bloody hard, and without that support, IMHO, almost impossible.

As a trainee, I'd make that your Number One Priority.

Though I agree, far too many schools are in a parlous state - it's not good for staff morale, or for encouraging the students to take pride in their work. But all we can do is keep fighting and vote the right way!

StarHeartDiamond · 27/06/2017 08:19

Willcincern - but the parents/pta could get together and raise some money or generate some volunteers for it? That's what other schools do.

Beelzebop · 27/06/2017 08:22

Really? Not a good idea to judge before you even started your first placement. Schools have no money, our caretaker does a full time job in 20hrs. And don't call your school a shit hole, that's bang out of order.

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muckypup73 · 27/06/2017 08:26

Someone may pick up on this post, I would like to say as well it does not matter about the state of the school, Just worry more about getting on with the children, Ionce worked in a beauriful school, however the children were horrendous, it made me cry almost every night.

AuroraFloyd · 27/06/2017 08:30

I'm upset about the state of the school because I care. What is it saying to the students about their self worth when they have to spend every day in such a place? The school does not get great results, behaviour can be poor and their top sets are not what I would have expected. This is not an old grammar school where everything is shabby but functional and parents and kids are motivated and actively involved. These kids need all the help they can get and I'm angry and what has been done to education if this is considered acceptable by the public and those in charge.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 27/06/2017 08:30

It's an improving school if it was RU for many years but is now Good. That's positive right there. Mismatched furniture is typical in older school buildings. Of it works, you can't replace it. Paintwork, well, some of it might get touched up over the summer, which is when these things happen (as they can't happen during term time). There is probably a rolling programme. But again, it costs money. One of my old schools had rooms painted by a group of young offenders on some kind of placement. Otherwise, you waited until the site staff got to your bit of the school.

Please go in with a positive mind. It's an improving school. Great teaching can happen in a shabby classroom.

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