Do the teachers really get 13 weeks hols a year?

[GabbyLoggon]

I only ask the questions

Maypole1 - in many subject areas, schools would be overjoyed to have to choose between candidates who can be differentiated only by their first or second class degree in the right subject, but who are otherwise excellent teachers.

The reality is that, in some schools, GCSE Physics (or Chemistry) is taught by biologists who may not even have a GCSE in the subject themselves, because physics/ chemistry teachers can't be recruited.

In many schools, even secondary schools, HL Teaching Assistants are timetabled to teach classes. Not to support, to teach whole classes. HLTAs might well not have a degree in anything at all, and they're not qualified teachers- however, they're paid a lot less.

If you genuinely believe that the biggest problem in schools is that there are too many teachers with second class degrees teaching, then you really have no idea.

"Every place I have workedsome is ploughed under some fucker is having an easy time"

in every place that Gabby has worked there are some that are ploughed under with the work that they do and there are some people who have an easy ride of it. Gabby has heard from teachers who say it is hard work. And he has heard from non teachers who say it is easy and hard work, depending on who is posting. So now, to balance things out, he wants to hear from a teacher who says it is an easy job.

I went to a village school where the head left early for cinema on wed and told us about the film on thurs

Oh spare us. You're a typical tosser who thinks they know all about schools because they went to one years ago.

I'd prefer someone with a 2.1 who liked children, was good at explaining things and was passionate about their job.

I think most teachers work very hard though. There is an awful lot of shit to deal with outside the classroom, and for some, quite a lot of shit to deal with in it. Also standing up in front of a room of kids puts you at the coal face. No hiding behind a desk or computer. It isn't cushy. I think it's harder than say, a lot of City jobs for which people are paid a lot more.

(I'm not a teacher, in fact I used to have one of those City type jobs).

You'd be hard pushed to find a good PGCE provider who accepts lower than a 2:1 these days.

Yes, Gabby. How much you work outside of school hours and in holidays depends on lots of things. A list?
What age group you teach.
What subject you teach.
Whether you are a basic teacher or have extra responsibilities.
If your management make unreasonable demands on you.
Whether you have a full time or part time Teaching Assisstant.
If you have PGCE students to work with.
If you are put in a team with a crap teacher.
If you are in a school that is failing.
If you are in a school with pushy parents who want harder homework and badger about books being changed daily etc.
If you are in a big or small school.

etc. etc. etc.

There are teachers who will work in the same school but their workload will be different and yet they will be paid the same. Lower primary will have less time consuming marking than a secondary English teacher but will have to spend a lot more time physically preparing for lessons than say science teacher with a technician.

I think it's been explained quite clearly Gabby! The children get 13 weeks off school. When the students aren't in school, there are other things that need to be done. When they are done, then the teacher can take a holiday. It depends on how experienced you are, what sector you work in (primary, secondary or tertiary) or whether you have extra responsibilites as to what you do. Why does it bother you how long a teacher spends on "holiday"? If you want the holidays, become a teacher. Oh, you don't fancy trying to get 30 kids to keep still and learn something? What about abusive parents, being inspected every 5 minutes, changing syllabi every year with every new government initiative? Threats to increase your pension contributions from 7 to 9.5% of your not really brilliant salary should convince you! Come in- the water's lovely!

GabbyLogan - teachers do often sign in and out of school, but that is for fire regs. They obviously have to be in school for their classes, it'd be noticed if they weren't! As for non contact weekends, after school and holidays - well no, that can be done when, where and how they like. They can do it on board a plane to the Med if they like. But it will be very obvious those who haven't done work outside of their contact hours.

If you genuinely believe that the biggest problem in schools is that there are too many teachers with second class degrees teaching, then you really have no idea

Exactly. Does she even know how many cover supervisors and teaching assistants are taking whole classes long term now? I see she slunk off after asking to "agree to disagree" - obviously well out of her depth.

some people work systems to their advantage; other workers often end up doing most of the work. (Its not rocket science)

YOU TEACHERS will talk MPs with more candour.

How much holiday do they get? How many jobs can they have? Go for it

Gabby- yes, teachers do have to clock in and out on many school sites now, as the sites have to be secured to meet OFSTED safeguarding regulations.

Lots of PPA is covered by teaching assistants these days, despite it not really being part of their their job description. TA, at level 3, can do first day teacher absemce, but long term and regulalr cover - not really.

I do do PPA cover. I feel I am pretty well able and competent to do it, and most importantly confident to do it. But I know of some STAs who have o do and possibly would rather not do it, and who definitely don't have any teaching qualifications at all.

well, it may be thought more important tjhat teachers should be more honest about themselves than say, second hand car salesman....
You have taken me a little way down a waterloo road.

WATERLOO ROAD? you teachers will say "none of them teachers would keep their jobs" SHAFTED

Thankyou, bullet.

YOU TEACHERS will talk MPs with more candour

What the hell are you on about?

How much holiday do they get? How many jobs can they have? Go for it

Do you mean teachers or MPs? Arguing with a trolling idiot is one thing, but it's very wearing arguing with a trolling idiot who can't use English properly.

*well, it may be thought more important tjhat teachers should be more honest about themselves than say, second hand car salesman....
You have taken me a little way down a waterloo road.

WATERLOO ROAD? you teachers will say "none of them teachers would keep their jobs" SHAFTED*

FFS. You really are stupid, aren't you?

I clicked on this ready to argue. Once I saw the OP, I decided not to.

it's not just teachers - it's common to most professions that you fulfill your contract and holidays are a matter of interpretation. I understand that other jobs (that I have never done, unless you count waitressing and chamber-maiding) might have a clear demarcation between work, when you work, and holidays, when you don't think about work. Even better when you have contracted hours/ non-contracted hours and get overtime when you are not in your "basic" day. But this is not the case for solicitors and accountants, for example. So I do think this "confusion" as to whether teachers have x weeks of holiday when they're paid/not paid, work/don't work is a bit of a red herring.

The point (IMHO) is that teaching is a hard job, which requires a lot of work out of the classroom, and an incredible amount of physical and mental energy to do inside the classroom. Yes of course there are better and worse than average teachers (obviously!), but I'm pretty sure that they are not being over-rewarded in either terms of salary or holidays. Teachers, you are welcome to my tax-£ (which of course, as tax payers yourselves, you will be giving too).

Gabby, are you pissed? You make no sense! Out of interest, What is your job? Do you have one? If not, I suggest you get one-(or an education maybe?) you must be seriously bored to ramble nonsense on here to get a rise

I am not sure you can really compare proper teaching and proper teachers with the TV programme "Warerloo Road" though can you?

yes the manual workers get shafted. And the professions often do the shafting nuffink changes.

What is your job? Do you have one?

I doubt if he's remotely employable.

convexbetty. Thanks for that answer. It covers the waterfront.

I am not sure you can really compare proper teaching and proper teachers with the TV programme "Warerloo Road" though can you?

Gabby (because he's stupid) obviously thinks you can.