Teacher shortages and schools in crisis - what can parents do?

[noproblemifnot]

I have 3 DC - Y6 and Y3 in a wonderful primary school which we and they love. Youngest not yet in school. Having read the recent thread on the challenges facing teachers and schools, I am worried about what awaits them in the years ahead as well as angry and depressed about - well, all the issues mentioned on the thread.

But I want to be positive and practical. What can I do as a parent to support my children and their teachers?

For context/further info on the teachers side - I realise that not voting Conservative in the next GE seems an obvious answer, but it feels so far away. Is there anything we can do now? I support the strikes and have been (with my kids) at the picket line outside our school every time so I hope they know they have my morale support but it feels inadequate.

And on the kids side - We have always said we wouldn't send our kids to a private school unless there was a specific educational or social need. This is both for broad ethical reasons and because we couldn't afford to send all three. But maybe we should consider this as a time of specific need? I hate the idea of my bright 11yo being taught by supply teachers, or over-worked exhausted teachers who can't offer the right support to him or his peers. Should we be saving for tutors, looking at moving him to private in a few years? We have changes we could make to our lifestyle to make it affordable for him and maybe DC2 - then we pray that things are better for DC3?!

I also see lots of posters suggesting parents are part of the problem, but how? What should change?

Anyway, any thoughts on what we can actually DO about the crisis in the short term whether on a personal or societal level would be much appreciated to lift me out of this frustration.

I didn't say you were responsible. But it would make my job considerably easier.

@noproblemifnot - I started a thread a few months back under a different name about my DD going to a very rough school and it being rated one of the worst in the UK. It was her only option as no other state school could take her. I hate her going there. They don't even have a library and the school is terribly run down. She regularly has supply teachers who can't help her with her work and lots of other disruptions. I sympathise a lot with the teachers and know they are doing very their best under such difficult circumstances.

Anyway, my DD is in Year 7 and I have taken it upon myself to teach her in the evenings. We've got a little schedule going and I try to make learning fun for her. I use a range of different materials and books to support her learning. This government doesn't give a toss and I cannot rely on the school to give her a good education, so I'm merely trying to fill a gap. She also has some online classes which she enjoys and can meet other students from all over the world.

There is lots you can do to support your dc's learning. It's just about being proactive and putting the time in. Shouldn't be the case, but sadly it is.

if you can afford it, private school could be a good option but I think these vary massively. Other Mumsnetters would be better to advise you on PS.

Apologies the second part wasn't aimed at you. I do do the things you mentioned, but in the general sense of the thread there is nothing I can do to solve the overarching situation.

Labour have also mooted 'clawing back' surplus funds from academy schools with big bank balances and 'redistributing' them. Is your Year 6 moving to an academy school with a big bank balance or a school likely to receive redistributed funds?

That just might start to address academy CEO six figure wages.

What do you think CEOs should be paid @HarleyLane?

Both my SC have tutors at home after school 3x a week (maths & English) & the difference it’s made is unbelievable. State schools on the whole seem to be very poorly run. My SD teacher is hardly ever actually teaching, always in meetings or training anywhere than actually doing his job so TA’s are always covering plus there seems to be a high level of kids with all sorts of ‘special needs’ disrupting & disturbing the classrooms & using all the teaching resources so I would definitely recommend tutors.

@toomuchlaundry
Academy CEO’s should be paid in line ( responsibility, role, accountability) with their Local Authority, public sector counterparts.

A Director of Children’s Services, is responsible for children’s social care( and all the risks that entails) adult learning and skills,, schools/education including early year's, inclusion and strategic planning of education including place planning and admissions for a whole authority area. (Here that is 370 schools) Earns a six figure sum in a large authority - £120,000-£140,000.

The CEO of just one local MAT, with responsibility for the education of children in 8 schools has just been appointed on £125,000.
A CEO of a larger MAT - 40 schools, earns £249,000 - incomparable to any Director of Children’s Services.
MAT’s do still need to draw on the LA services too.

Is the Children’s Services Director also responsible for employment, premises, all finances not just their department etc.

Off the back of this thread I've just dug up an email i received from my kids school at the start of the year about volunteering to listen to children read, and signed up for a couple of hours a week. That's about as much as i can spare now but i kept thinking about it and never actually doing it.

Depends what you mean. Yes, in the sense of leading/making decisions about finance and budgets ( schools and LA teams),school and other ‘child connected’ premises, employment of social care, adult learning, school improvement and inclusion staff.
As with an academy CEO, not alone, but with HR officers, finance officers etc.

This would be the dream! Even if it was only 50% that were decent parents it would be game changing!