Does behaviour vary

[cosmicglittergirl]

I currently teach in a part of London that is classified as socially deprived. In my class of 27 year 3 children there are a wide range of behaviour problems, (most of them can't sit still for any length of time, struggle to stay on task and can be very unpleasant to each other) and most of the children are below the national average with their ability. I have only ever taught in this area and have no experience of schools in more affluent areas. This might seem a ridiculous question, but would it be 'easier' in such a school? After 13 years teaching in a so called 'tough' school, would it be more pleasant? Or are there other issues?

[SilverHoney]

There can be other issues with "pushy parents", children not respecting teachers because "my mum said...", extra pressure on results, especially SATs, you still get SEN, and parents might (rightfully) push for more support and intervention as they know what they are entitled to.

Of course these are sweeping generalisations. Every school / class vary regardless of the areas social status.

It depends what type of teaching you're suited to. I prefer to deal with challenging pupil behaviour over stress about results and SATs and getting level 7s for the gifted and talented etc.

[ImperialBlether]

It is easier to teach children who are well fed (and not hungry) and sleep well and who have someone who is prepared to go through investigations if there seems to be a problem.

[wobblywonderwoman]

I prefer to work in more deprived settings. Personal thing. I agree with previous poster and pushy parents / spoilt children (again - personal preference)

[cosmicglittergirl]

I always thought I preferred the lack of pushy parents (I had 8/27 turn up to my parent meetings last week), but I'm finding the behaviour and their struggle to understand the work so draining. I know it's not their fault, but sometimes I look at the new year 3 expectations and I dispair of how they are going to access it. I wonder if I'm getting a bit past this sort of teaching and the energy it requires. It doesn't help I don't have a TA. (Cuts).

[Littlefish]

I've worked in different schools over the last 18 years with in an incredibly wide range of areas. From a school in an affluent, leafy area of a spa town, to a school where one year, there was not a single working parent amongst the children in my class.

The latter almost finished me off! I only worked part time, but the behaviour of the children was unmanageable at times. However, I think this was in a large part due to the unsupportive and at times, unstable headteacher. The staff were absolutely amazing - a really strong group of people who genuinely cared about the children and each other. I've never worked so hard in my life, and learned more about teaching, behaviour management, and working pro-actively with families than at any other school.

I now work at a school which has a fantastic mix of families - from affluent to those in great need. It provides me with a heady mix of pushy parents at one end, to those I have to strive every day to engage with. The mix of children reflects the parents' attitude to education (although not necessarily their own parents'.) Because the majority of children behave well and are ready to learn (thanks to breakfast provided to all children, and a robust behaviour management system), it is easier to deal with those children who find it hard to behave well. There are good role models all around them, and time to work with those children who need more help.

I absolutely love my school. It has an incredibly supportive headteacher who trusts us to do our jobs, without the need to micro-manage, and is always open to hearing our ideas about ways to improve learning.

Sorry - that's a lot of waffle, but I wanted to show you that there are schools out there which are not only "pushy parent" schools or "bad behaviour" schools. It would be worth you going to have a look at other schools when jobs come up, just to see what's out there.

[cosmicglittergirl]

Yes littlefish that sounds much better, something with a real mix. I agree with you on the robust behaviour policy too, it's all too vague at my current school and without consistency. I was feeling like I'd lost my teaching 'mojo', but maybe a change of location would help.

[instantly]

I teach in a private school. Honestly it's downright relaxing compared with an inner city comp

[exLtEveDallas]

I'm not a teacher but have worked in an admin role in 3 different schools. The worst school (or rather the one I liked the least) was the one where the parents were constantly at odds with the teachers/SLT. Always second guessing them, refusing to help, refusing to discipline and making complaints if their child was told off. Showing zero respect, having shouting matches in the playground, accosting teachers out of school (in Tesco!) and haranguing them.

That was the leafy suburb, village church school with less than 10% FSM/PP and more Doctor/Solicitor/MD parents than you could shake a stick at.

The school I'm at now is in a very socially and economically deprived area, has more than 50% FSM/PP, a very high proportion of travellers and single parents and lots of Child Services involement. Yes some of the parents are horrors, and the language/behaviour of the kids can be outrageous. But it's a better school in all ways. The parents are more supportive, the kids harder working...oh and the Yr 6 SATS were the best in the county.

The SLT/HT is very 'strict'. Isolation/Exclusion is used wherever necessary and parents are given short shrift if they complain about it. THRIVE also works wonders.

I don't think it's the kids - it's the leadership.

[AtMyHouse]

^agree

[cosmicglittergirl]

Maybe it's too much to ask to turn up to teaching and have most of your children ready to learn, but not also have 'over invested' parents...

[HopeClearwater]

I totally disagree. It's the parents.

This, a thousand times.