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Original poster

Online lessons because schools can't recruit and retain teachers

187 replies

Hayliebells · 25/02/2023 19:51

A school local to me has written to parents to explain that some science lessons will be via pre-recorded online learning, with students in computer rooms, as they haven't got enough Science teachers to teach all the timetabled lessons. This is where an inability to recruit and retain teachers leads, and it's shameful. We really are a two tier society now, with students in private schools in small classes, taught by specialist teachers, and students in state schools effectively teaching themselves at a computer. Pre-recorded lessons aren't even as good as many schools were offering for online learning during lockdown, it's the opposite of responsive teaching. Where's the opportunity to address misconceptions, to answer the students questions? This is not teaching, and only a minority of students can learn this way. Online lessons are standard in countries like Mexico, for families who cannot afford private schools. They have schools made up of computer suites, with students sat learning via online lessons all day, and staff just there to supervise. This is not just the future of schools in the UK if we carry on as we are, it's happening now. How anyone can think this is OK is beyond me. The government should be ashamed.

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 25/02/2023 20:50

Our local trust is planning having teachers do online lessons across schools to ensure certain subjects can be taught in all their schools

savoycabbage · 25/02/2023 20:44

I'm a supply teacher and I went into a class who had been with their dinner lady for the previous two days. She almost cried with happiness when I rolled up but I was only there for a day.

I don't think parents have any idea just how bad things are. The school I was at last week only has three classes and two of the teachers are away with long term stress. One is being covered by a series of supply teachers and the other by a student teacher 40% of the time and the head the rest of the time.

Original poster
Hayliebells · 25/02/2023 20:29

MissBPotter · 25/02/2023 20:19

This is very sad but I’m not surprised. In my department we have been trying to recruit since October (we had hired someone in September but he was absolutely awful, went on long term sick and eventually left thankfully). We have organized interviews three times now and each time every candidate has either cancelled or just not showed up at all. We have a forth interview session next week but I’m not holding out much hope. We have been covering lessons as a team by removing nearly all out free periods but can’t cover everything. We are now exhausted and burnt out and I’m considering leaving the profession altogether but I’m indecisive and not sure what to do….

With low salaries, little prospect of payrises, poor conditions and zero flexible working (yes I know we have more holidays but I mean things like wfh, flexi time etc), let alone all the issues with behaviour, SEND and funding, it is going to be an ongoing issue and will get worse and worse unless Labour get in and actually listen to us.

Yes, this was the situation in my department last year. I think the stress of insufficient staffing, with free periods swollowed up with cover and preparing resources for non-specialists, led to at least two other teachers leaving at the end of the year. It's a viscous cycle. The worse the staffing situation is, the worse it is for those still there. We're in a much better place this year, but we're a school which doesn't (comparatively) have the same difficulty with recruitment as many other schools. When I first started, I interviewed with possibly 10+ other teachers, the school did multiple sessions of interviews over two days. That was in the golden age of the mid-2000s. Now we're lucky if we get more than a couple of applicants. If we struggle, some other schools must be in absolute dire straits, as evidenced here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hayliebells · 25/02/2023 20:20

Oh I don't expect the Tories to care at all. I wouldn't be surprised if they're happy enough with this "solution", just so long as they can offer tax cuts at the next election. They probably have a mate who can design a whole online curriculum for re-branded state schools as "Innovative Learning Academies", for a hefty fee of course. Sounds like another perfect opportunity to siphon off more public funds for their friends and donors. The public need to realise that this is happening, so I'm quite glad the school on question decided to write to parents about it.

OP posts:
MissBPotter · 25/02/2023 20:19

This is very sad but I’m not surprised. In my department we have been trying to recruit since October (we had hired someone in September but he was absolutely awful, went on long term sick and eventually left thankfully). We have organized interviews three times now and each time every candidate has either cancelled or just not showed up at all. We have a forth interview session next week but I’m not holding out much hope. We have been covering lessons as a team by removing nearly all out free periods but can’t cover everything. We are now exhausted and burnt out and I’m considering leaving the profession altogether but I’m indecisive and not sure what to do….

With low salaries, little prospect of payrises, poor conditions and zero flexible working (yes I know we have more holidays but I mean things like wfh, flexi time etc), let alone all the issues with behaviour, SEND and funding, it is going to be an ongoing issue and will get worse and worse unless Labour get in and actually listen to us.

Catmuffin · 25/02/2023 20:13

Hayliebells · 25/02/2023 20:10

Yes quite, this is indeed the consequence. The teacher bashers just don't seem to realise that we cannot force anyone to become a teacher, and stay in teaching. We are not a communist, authoritarian state, teachers exist in the same employment market as everyone else. The market is the solution to everything if you're a right winger, until it comes to staffing public services! We have to persuade people to become teachers, and to stay in teaching. At the moment the government are failing at that task spectacularly. And that has consequences.

They don't care though. Why would Rishi care when his daughter goes to Wycombe Abbey? She'll never have this issue, or being taught by someone not qualified in the subject, because its the only person they can get.

parietal · 25/02/2023 20:11

There is scientific evidence that kids learn less well from watching videos. They need real teachers.

Vote out the tories - they have let school funding fall such at it is impossible to afford teachers. It is the only solution

Original poster
Hayliebells · 25/02/2023 20:10

Yes quite, this is indeed the consequence. The teacher bashers just don't seem to realise that we cannot force anyone to become a teacher, and stay in teaching. We are not a communist, authoritarian state, teachers exist in the same employment market as everyone else. The market is the solution to everything if you're a right winger, until it comes to staffing public services! We have to persuade people to become teachers, and to stay in teaching. At the moment the government are failing at that task spectacularly. And that has consequences.

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GuyFawkesDay · 25/02/2023 20:01

We (teachers) been saying this kind of thing would happen for years. That a crisis in teaching and education was here

And yet so frequently teachers are portrayed as lazy, workshy, bullying part timers.

Well they've voted with their feet, and here's the consequences. I'm leaving at Easter.

BCBird · 25/02/2023 19:59

I'm a teacher in a secondary school. It hasn't come to this yet at my school but I can't say I'm surprised. One presentation can be viewed by many. It will save money too. The situation in education is dire for the staff and pupils. Lack of funding,reduction of support,when need is at its greatest is the harsh reality.

Catmuffin · 25/02/2023 19:57

This is why I find it odd that some private school parents think their child is "discriminated" against if the University takes into account schooling when looking at applications

winewolfhowls · 25/02/2023 19:54

I can't decide whether to be more outraged or sad. Especially as a parent of a child that wants a science based career. If my child went to that school I would be moving them sharpish, but what happens when this is the situation at all schools?

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