I'm a primary school teacher. AMA

[fourtytwochairs]

I just finished my first year of teaching and have been in Year 1. Will also be in Y1 next year. Everything is much more relaxed now that the year is ending and I know some people will have questions about reports/end of year data, so happy to answer what I can :)

Not really a question but wanted to say what a lovely bond children can build with their primary school teachers.

My DS is currently doing work experience at his old primary school and it's been so sweet how many teachers remember him! One even remembered his hobby and got him talking to a pupil to inspire him. DS did an afternoon in Reception and the kids were adorable; drawing him pictures and randomly hugging him. (Year 2 kids were telling him all the gossip though and didn't want him to leave the class!).

You sound fantastic op!

Do you have any tips please on studying for teacher training? I’ve been accepted as a mature student to start the PGCE in September. I currently do shift work so it’s going to be a big change for everyone at home!
it was really nice to read that you’ve found a good work life balance. Do you have to be strict managing that, to not take work home? Thanks x

@KindergartenKop they do assessments in Reception, though my school seems to focus less on progress and more on maintaining results. So if they got greater depth in writing in YR, they are expected to stay as greater depth in Y1&Y2 and if they drop down to expected we have to create an education plan for that child saying how we are going to get them back to greater depth. I can somewhat understand that, but when a child progresses from working towards to expected, or makes any other progress there's crickets from SLT which I think is a shame. I believe Y3-6 use the Y2 SATs results as their baseline. I don't know exactly what the YR end of year tests are like but at least at my school they do them in reading, writing and maths.

@TabbyBeast it sounds like your DS is having a lovely time, it's great to hear! YR children are often like that, it's a nice environment to be in.

@Callie22 good luck with your PGCE! The main reason I don't struggle is because I work in a 3-person team, which means I only have to plan 1 or 2 subjects per term. I have no interest in working at home or doing anything beyond the what is needed for my class to make progress, whereas I know other teachers go above and beyond which takes up more time.

Do you genuinely write individual student reports or do you use a template and tweak a few words here and there?

I write every child's general comment individually. Their subject comments are based on a template (1 for lower achieving, 1 for middle achieving, 1 for higher achieving) but for English and maths they're still personalised to the child. Other subjects are very much copy and pasted unless there's something about that child that makes them individual enough to note (e.g. refuses to engage at all with PSE lessons or was exceptionally creative and came up with X and Y ideas during DT lessons).