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Original poster

Staff Room!!!

465 replies

ScienceTeacher · 27/01/2008 14:42

It was suggested on another thread that we should have a staff room, so I thought I'd bite the bullet and start one.

Shall we introduce ourselves?

I teach Science (Physics A-level and GCSE Chemistry plus the usual general science in KS3, and also KS3 Geography). I work in a small girls' independent school. I started this job in September having spent two years in contract and supply. This was a getting back to teaching after an 8-year maternity leave.

I am a mum to five children from 16 (gcse!) TO 5.

OP posts:
CaptainCod · 27/01/2008 17:31

an do short notice tbh thats fine.

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 27/01/2008 17:31

I wasn't very productive in my last years of SAHMdom, so it was the right time for me to return to work. My teenagers sort themselves out, and I have a live-in aupair for my younger 3.

When I RTW, I started out with a teaching agency and they sorted out the CRB and references, etc. They also gave me tips and expectations for a secondary supply teacher.

The best way to do supply is to get on the books of a couple of schools rather than going through an agency. It is so much better to be a regular visitor to a school so that you get to know the children and they get to know you. Contract work is about the same level of pay but you have to do planning and assessment - the payback is that you can get a reference, so this is vital if your goal is permanent work.

Supply is an odd existence. You think you are doing it for the full flexibility to choose jobs etc, but in reality, you wait for the phone to ring at 7.45 everyday and are reluctant to turn down any work in case you get put to the bottom of the pile. OTOH, it is trememdous experience. You get exposure to a huge range of schools/pupils and can practice your different personas. If you burn your bridges, no one cares!

I think everyone would benefit from a bit of supply teaching

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 17:29

Our Senco works hard as well. 1800 kids, with loads and loads on register. She has about 3 other SEN teachers and about 6 TA.s I thik she teaches about 4 lessons as well, but small of SEN kids(about 5)

hercules1 · 27/01/2008 17:28

In my last school (very big sec) the senco got 1500 pounds and I think 1 or 2 extra non contact. Completely not enough.

roisin · 27/01/2008 17:27

No MFL jobs round here at all. Fewer and fewer students choosing it as an option.

Not much supply around here either, unless you have a particular contact with a school, are happy to be paid direct not through agency and come in at a moment's notice.

Alfiesbabe - our school has 1000 students. In each year group up to 45 on the SEN register, usually around 6 with statements. We have around 25 TAs I think (some part-time) plus two SEN teachers. The whole department/staff is managed by the SENCO. This year (as usually) she teaches 4 hrs per week.

She works her socks off: I think it's one of the most demanding jobs in the school.

[Sorry for all the 'arounds' and 'abouts', I didn't bring much home with me this w/e, so I haven't got my files.]

Lucycat · 27/01/2008 17:26

I get one of those from the NASUWT mb - guaranteed to cure insomnia - and it always arrives in the school holidays! as if you want to read about the place when you're off.

alfiesbabe · 27/01/2008 17:25

GTC - bugger all as far as I can see!
Anyway, can someone please answer my SENCO question!! Need to know whether i should be bollocking SMT this week!!

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 17:25

But apart from wasting the earth's resources, what else do they do????

Blandmum · 27/01/2008 17:23

they send me a magazine that is a fantastic cure for insomnia

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 17:22

GTC What do they actually do, apart from take money out of my wages?

CaptainCod · 27/01/2008 17:21

oh go really?
i am thinking get in , make £143, piss off home

am only going to do schools i wnat to.

janeite · 27/01/2008 17:20

Hello! I'm a Secondary English and Drama teacher, Head of Key Stage Four and I wear various other whole-school "hats" as well (oh the joys of working in a small school!). I teach in a small, tough but lovely inner-city school and have two children; I've worked full-time since each of them was 11 weeks old but the youngest is in Year 6 now, so it's much, much easier nowadays.

The idea of supply teaching fills me with horror - hats off to those of you brave enough to do it!

CaptainCod · 27/01/2008 17:16

science share away....
ahev jus stumped up the £35 for the gtc number

i dont want to teahc long term( ro at all tbh) its just a means to an end while kids are young
i am BORED of it. i did 9 years

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 17:16

Scienceteacher, 5 kids and teaching, you must be brave or mad. Or do you only need 4 hours sleep a night? How on earth do you manage?

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 17:13

I thought there was meant to be a shortage of MFL teachers......

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 27/01/2008 17:12

I spent two years doing supply and contract work. I would be happy to share my experience. Not sure if it was good or bad, but I thought it was OK .

I had a long time off and found that this time was essential getting back into the profession.

OP posts:
MamaPyjama · 27/01/2008 16:56

I'm on a career break, but am beginning to think about going back now. I teach/taught MFL and would like to go back pt, but even ft is like gold dust round here.

Lucycat · 27/01/2008 16:48

I teach part time (job share) in a huge comprehensive - Geography KS3, GCSE and A level as well as some Year 7 and 8 RE.

Returned to work in September after a 7 year break and so far so good.

dds are 7 and 4.

and I'm sulkng atm as City as losing in the Cup

is there a box of biscuits hiding somewhere?

Blandmum · 27/01/2008 16:38

I loath marking, I never seem to have books where I can make sensible comments for improvement.

Either the books are so disorganised that I don't know where to start, or they are doing really well, and it is hard to find rome for improvement that doesn't sound like nagging!

I love planning and preparing stuff

alfiesbabe · 27/01/2008 16:29

Now that this thread have started, I've got a question for you all..... Just out of interest, do you know the teaching load of the SENCO in your school? ( As opposed to admin time). I'm interested because from SENCOs i know, this really varies from virtually no curriculum teaching to a really full teaching timetable. So, if you can let me know a) size of your school b) SENCO's teaching hours I'd be grateful. I won't let you know what proportion of teaching I do yet - I'll wait and see what replies i get to see if I'm being shafted!!

Whizzz · 27/01/2008 16:28

Well I do know who the good teachers are and who are the ones that could be 'a bit better organised'

CaptainCod · 27/01/2008 16:27

god i am dreasing going back ot teaching.
farkign plannign markign shiteola

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 16:25

Ta's are wonderful! They always know everything going on as well

alfiesbabe · 27/01/2008 16:24

Oooh good luck mb! We were done last term -it's rigorous and thorough but we survived! Whizzz - TAs are wonderful!! I manage a team of 10 and I know exactly how essential they are to the smooth running of a school. Slouchy - I agree that H of Y job is a tough one, but you say you've done it before so you know what you'll be taking on. Fingers crossed you get an interview.

fizzbuzz · 27/01/2008 16:22

Good luck with Ofsted. xx

Marking ,like painting the Forth Bridge...

Where's Trulymadlydeeply? I used to work with her. if anyone sees her on another thread, will they send her over?

She used to live in France, but now is teaching Y8 . I need to understand this.......

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