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Original poster

A Level classes - is this acceptable?

84 replies

ZaZathecat · 06/10/2015 07:58

DS has just started sixth form and is saying that he hates one of his subjects (which previously interested him). Main reasons are a) there are 30 people in the class, and b) they have 2 teachers alternating. One is OK but the other 'just gives out book work and doesn't actually teach'.

This seems a bit out of order to me as my experience of sixth form was smallish classes with lots of discussion and teacher explaining or talking to the class. Quiet study was homework or for free periods (which seem to have all but disappeared).

What are others experiences of current A level classes - is this normal/acceptable?

OP posts:
Original poster
ZaZathecat · 06/10/2015 08:42

It's Business Studies.

That's what I mean SheGot, it should be different at A level - more discussion. What he's getting with this teacher is, they are given a paper with work to do on it, sit quietly in class and do the work - no discussion, no 'teaching'.

I'm not concerned about there being 2 teachers, only that one of them doesn't really seem to do much teaching.

I am very concerned at the class size. I have emailed once about it but was fobbed of with 'oh yes it is unfortunate...'

Not sure how much fuss to kick up.

OP posts:
MummaGiles · 06/10/2015 08:40

I had two teachers for each of my a level subjects. Nothing unusual in that at all.

Sparklingbrook · 06/10/2015 08:31

DS has 2 history teachers for A Level each teaching a different topic, but not sure about class size. I will ask him tonight. Out of the 4 subjects it's the one he likes least interestingly.

SheGotAllDaMoves · 06/10/2015 08:30

30 is big! What's the ability spread?

As for alternating teachers, well that can work very well, with both playing to their strengths and interests. But the system of who teaches what and when needs to be firmly set.

Lesson style in sixth form is different. And should be. Less of what pupils have previously experienced as 'teaching'. More discussion. That's not to say your DS is wrong OP, he might just have a crap teacher!

PurpleDaisies · 06/10/2015 08:27

Those were my thoughts exactly nobel, especially if it's an essay based subject.

noblegiraffe · 06/10/2015 08:25

Crikey I wouldn't want to be a sixth form teacher with 30 in the class, the marking would be horrendous.

What subject is it? I wonder if it is a shortage subject whether one teacher is an actual teacher of the subject and the other one has been roped in so is supervising while the class works through exercises taught by the proper teacher?

Ladymuck · 06/10/2015 08:23

Funding for 16-19s has changed a lot, so schools need to have larger classes in order to justify running the course in the first place.

LIZS · 06/10/2015 08:18

Ds has 2 teachers for each subject, they each have different specialisms and they sit at least 2 papers. 30 seems a lot but presumably this is AS so some will drop out next year.

PurpleDaisies · 06/10/2015 08:08

What's the subject? My experience is in maths and science where it is common for teachers to share classes at a level but usually they they teach different topics. 30 is huge for an a level class though.

Regarding the teacher not spending most of the time talking/explaining, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. There should be more independent study at a level than GCSE so the students are better prepared for uni so if he's being set good tasks to do with good feedback that's fine. If he's got a lazy teacher who has just given them stuff to keep them occupied that's another matter.

How many hours a week does he have for this a level? If he has a lot of contact time maybe they're allowing for some of the lessons to be like a free period where they'd be working in the library?

If he isn't happy, could he have a chat with the teacher he likes?

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