To refuse to teach this lesson

My child was seriously burnt in a Practical lesson in Y7. They saw their chicken was swimming in hot fat and decided to pour off the fat into a bowl. The teacher hadn't noticed because there were way too many students cooking. The fat ended up all over their bare legs and feet (with shoes and socks). The teacher was so over-run all they could do was send my child to the nurse rather than doing any practical immediate first aid.

You are right to be concerned. I think I'd probably be talking to Senior Leadership for Learning or my Union Rep for advice.

Frankly that's way too much! I can imagine if it's a new build as well it will be small, windows which open barely an inch? Keep putting your case and good luck! Xx

I know we expect y10s to be more sensible but not all are. It sounds like you know the group and I assume have concerns about a certain few? Also sure you've put in written form the possible danger issues etc.

Do you have or can ask for support in the lesson? It is a big jump form 15 to 25 with dangerous equipment. If your requests won't be met, you have your concerns in writing, also highlighted the few who could cause difficulties (behaviour, not understanding instructions etc)

Not your subject but I've had to squeeze 35 students into a room designed for 30 max, but because top set no problem Miss? If you can't manage them that's down to you...

Such is our wonderful education system

Can you escalate it to the HOD line manager - head of faculty or Assistant head? Outline your exact concerns and request a risk assessment be undertaken by the H&S person. Consider a grievance? Whistleblowing policy?

If this is a DT situation there’s a sympathetic group on FB. Design and Technology Teachers Forum.

I taught this and my HOD would fighht against monster groups. A bit easier as the Head was an ex DT teacher.

So get advice, risk assessments, there used to be a notional limit of 20? But widely ignored.

Sometimes its the size of group, sometimes the size of pupils vs size of room, sometimes an individual or two. Or a combination of all of these.

Splitting the class is an idea - a crap one. You can’t teach/leave half to get on and properly teach supervise those doing practical.

Ideally HOD/SLT need to come up with a safe workable solution.

Can this activity be demoed/controlled demo by pupils and others watching on? Or do they all have to do it themselves?

May be ask for union advice?

YANBU. If it’s not safe to do all together then it shouldn’t be done as such. We used to have a PE class of 60 split between two teachers. We used to do trampolining and badminton in our indoors lesson with the same ones doing the same activity every week. one time there were only about 20 of us in my class and the teacher gave us the option of what we did. Because the majority of kids who preferred trampolining were off we all had to play badminton because there weren’t enough of us to be able to safely spot each other on the trampoline. Just because the head of department says it must be a practical doesn’t mean it’s safe to be. I’d refuse to and if they insist make them sign something to say that they and not you will be held responsible for any accidents because of their insistence. They’ll soon back down

Also CLEAPS are the people to talk to about safety guidance in Food lessons, make sure you have spoken to them.

Have you posted on Food Teachers centre for advice?

Just refuse to do it. I worked in one school where I was expected to take 22 non swimmer children in year 4 to a pool and teach them how to swim each morning for 3 weeks. I had no swimming teaching experience or qualifications and massive health and safety concerns. I refused to do it and they got some other sucker to do it! Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with.

What on earth is wrong with SEN or SEND, we still have a SEN department and a SENCO, what does it stand for Special Educational Needs (Co-ordinator), and do the children covered by that department not have special needs in terms of what we deliver and how we deliver it to them, require differentiation in teaching delivery - if they have a new acronym its not made it to the rural South West yet.

Incidentally, I'm dyslexic, so have a Special Educational Need, or would have, in my day we got sent to a lady for extra English & Maths to what the other teachers delightfully called the spanners and spoons class which was bloody offensive, we have moved on thankfully - personally I'd rather it had been SEN back then, which I don't see as in any was offensive.

You are unbelievable.

Your attitude is appalling. If your concern is genuinely for the children then as I said you need to educate yourself.

Fire safety has nothing to do with it🙄

It's hard to judge without knowing what the practical entails.

You still wouldn't be able to judge. It's up to the school's fire safety officer. It's not something people on here can decide on.

Oh bore off

I wouldn't normally dream of correcting people, but I feel that teachers should use correct grammar.

OP, create a paper trail, explaining clearly your health and safety concerns and examples of what accidents could happen.
Find out from your union what your position is.
Check with ACAS too.
Very easy to push you to do this, but if an accident happens it will be on your head.
I could well imagine an accident in such a crowded situation.
I would be very unhappy as a parent.
You need to ask who will be responsible in the case of a serious life changing accident?
A pot of boiling water for example.

You need to protect yourself.

No it's really not.

the experienced teacher says it's not safe, so something needs to be done.

half the class do it at a time & the HM finds someone to take the other half the class.

@cantthinkofausername26 don't do it until YOU are happy it's safe to do so.

Nonsense. Unions are made up of impartial, trained advisors.

What do you think union reps are? The Spanish Inquisition? They are a sounding board for people like the OP to get advice about the best next steps for them, and support if required.