My jobshare is a Scitt.

[phlebasconsidered]

Just that really. Told today that my 2 day jobshare partner will be a SCITT. I'm not surprised as it isn't costing the Academy anything, but can anyone who has been in a similar position offer perspective?

I just feel like walking to be honest.

[AWafferthinmint]

Will they have a mentor?

[phlebasconsidered]

I've been asked to do it. But that's madness! It's anticipated they will cover the 2 days alone within 6 weeks. And i have to do the total planning for the first half term.

It's a cheap person for the academy. It's not fair on them, or me.

I think I'm going to refuse to mentor. If I can refuse!

[thebookeatinggirl]

How can you mentor someone you jobshare with? You're never there at the same time... How will you observe them, meet with them, plan with them? And it's very unfair to expect you to do all the planning for a full time class if you only teach and are paid for 3 days. I think it's madness and hugely unfair on you and the SCITT student.

[Maudlinmaud]

I agree it's unfair. The only way SCITT is successful is with ongoing support. Nobody should be just thrown into the deep end like this. What if they are not ready to teach on their own? Everyone remembers their first few lessons as a nqt and it really is quite daunting. Are they going to shadow you on your days too?

[phlebasconsidered]

I'm stuck there till December at least. Honestly, the academisation process has been so brutal. We are all horribly aware of how much we cost.

I think I might attack it from the other end and find out what the student should be getting.

[Lizzylou]

As an ex-SCITT student I think this is madness.
You won't be there to mentor/support/observe them, they are supposed to plan all of their own lessons/resources anyway, not you plan them. Having now seen a few other SCITT/PGCE student in our faculty some grasp teaching very quickly, others it's a slow burn (I was the latter!). I just can't see how this can work.
It is deeply unfair on them and you.

[phlebasconsidered]

The union haven't been much help. Because it's an academy they are a law unto themselves. I'm really cross and upset. I can't honestly see how my prp will be worked out either.

I'm going to contact the college and ask them about it.

[Synecdoche]

Oh my word that is wrong, on all counts and for everyone involved. I feel for you OP - I hate how the unions are pretty much powerless in academies now. No advice just wanted to share my outrage

[mnistooaddictive]

I know a friend had a similar experience. The Scitt was there full time and I guess yours will be, but they will start by teaching the 2 days you aren't there. They will need someone else to be responsible for those 2 days such as a deputy head, but it will be extra work for you.

[MaisyPops]

If they are a SCITT student with extensive experience (e.g. in a former school we had a SCITT who was a long standing TA and HLTA in school) then it could work if they have a mentor in school who can help them and nurture them.

But, and this is massive, THEY have to learn to plan. If they're just delivering your planning then they are not learning to teach, they are a glorified cover supervisor.

If they are inexperienced, no mentor etc then I'd be looking for a new job. Either the school can't get a decent candidate (which isn't their fault always but could be), or they won't pay for a decent candidate (in which case that's their priorities clear).

[noblegiraffe]

You need training to be able to mentor a student otherwise you won't know what you're meant to be doing. It also makes no sense for you to mentor them if you won't be there on the days they are teaching your class.

Them being a trainee could be ok, if they're properly trained. You training them is not.

[phlebasconsidered]

Thanks for responding. You are all socialising my own concerns. I cannot mentor, it's daft! I couldn't do a good job and I would feel unprofessional.

I'm worried for my class. I just feel that it all needs to be so much more transparent and so much more professionally managed. The problem isn't with the trainee per se but with the way it's been implemented in such a rushed way. It's making me dread September, particularly as they are a tough class.

[samlovesdilys]

Please inform the scitt provider /subject lead. We would not allow this...it is incredibly unfair on the student, you and the kids...

[LandofTute]

Didn't want to start a new thread as it might be identifying, but what do people think about a cover supervisor as a full time form tutor? Ds will have that from October of Year 9. Up til now he has had a teacher for three days and a Cover Supervisor for two days so the CS knows the class. I got the impression the teacher was good at the role/firmly in charge. The CS sounds fine too but i don't know what she'd be like taking on full responsibility for the class. Year 9 can be tricky and I'm wondering if they might go off the rails a bit. Or might it be fine?

[LandofTute]

PS. No year heads, house heads instead, comp.

[noblegiraffe]

What does the tutor have to do? Check uniform? Take them to assembly? Maybe do report cards and follow up on attendance? TBH I don't think it needs a subject teacher in that role.

[LandofTute]

Oh good. I got the impression she sort of oversaw discipline in all lessons a bit (maybe because they don't have year heads.) Maybe it'll be ok though.

[noblegiraffe]

Head of House usually performs the same role as a Head of Year.

[LandofTute]

I know she dealt with bullying when it came up in the class.

[LandofTute]

Ok. Thanks

[LandofTute]

Your reaction is reassuring.