To wonder why so many teachers want to quit

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Inspired by other threads but I didn't want to derail.

What is going on in education that is making teaching so stressful?

I work in the City and you don't see too many people quitting with stress even though the work can be stressful. Certainly, not the numbers you see in teaching.

Why do you find it useful to meet every parent?

Oh good luck sylviasecrets. Maybe give it a bit longer and see how it goes?

We have Schools Direct students every year at our Primary school and always get to know them really well. They do struggle to cope under the weight and pressure of it all but by then end theyve all turned out to be excellent or at least solidly good teachers.

You will be so much more prepared than PGCE students when you start your first job (I speak from my own experience- did a PGCE and found my NQT year a massive shock. It took me about 3 years before i felt roughly like i knew what i was doing I'm very good now though!)
Good luck

Gnome - I believe that schools should be about more than just curriculum. I'm going to guess you're a MC parent who gives DC the sort of experiences many kids never get. If they don't get cultural experiences at home, then school is the only place they'll get them. And FWIW, taking a theatre trip takes very little work, so I am very happy to organise them.

I just sent this thread to Nicky Morgan. it would be so easy to fix if there was the will to do it.

I underwrote mortgages for a long time after leaving University. Took some time to retrain as a TA a few years ago as finance didn't work with two young boys, with the thought that once both DS' were at school I'd go on and do a PGCE and teach primary.

Having spent 3 years as a TA in an infant school, I can now guarantee I will never do that PGCE and never consider for a second going into teaching. Friends who are teachers are burning out or breaking their necks trying to keep up, parents of some children can be incredibly detrimental to the running of the classroom when they don't support the teacher (or even the school; it's astounding how many gladly sign the behaviour policy but go bonkers when their precious darling is chastised). As a parent of two young schoolboys I see it from both sides; parents are generally unaware of just how much time, energy and consistent hard work goes into each and every day their children have at school. I've no idea how anyone sustains a career in teaching. The good ones deserve knighthoods.

Why do you find it useful to meet every parent?
Because I hope we are working together,that is student, teacher and parent to ensure the young person is successful and reaches their potential. Technology is wonderful but talking to people is better.

I remember at my most ill point just before I ended up in psychiatric hospital having ECT I used to try throwing myself down the stairs hoping I'd break something. On the way to work I had to stop to throw up and often prayed I'd be in an accident so I wouldn't have to go.

But if there are no concerns, child is ticking along just fine? I don't get it :)

Cathpot Brave move and thank you.

Leavingsosoon Wouldn't you want to meet the person who is 'looking after your child' for about 5 hours a week? I

Oh gosh no, don't get rid of non-essential trips - that's the only bit left that lookalike education to me.

Ds2 is at a sought after grammar - it's all teaching to the test (obviously) & a lot sounds deathly dull (I often quiz him on how he's been taught - not blaming the teacher's btw I can see they are doing what they have to) - but the best bit of the year is curriculum enrichment week - at least he learns something intetesting & exciting in those weeks. Don't get rid of that sort of thing - it's a break from all the nonsense.

EvilTwins my DCs attend/attended a school which managed just a few years ago to be the second worst in Britain. It has been in and out of special measures like it is caught on the door handle. In the 8 years I have been associated with the school we have had roughly a new HT per year. The only reason we havent been closed down is that it is the only school in the town.

At the moment anything which isnt core is a distraction the school can well do without.

I agree that trips can be a counter-productive distraction.

sorry I posted too soon. I just asked my 13 year old the question 'Why would I want to meet the parents of the students I teach?' And he replied 'So you can have a better relationship with the students'. Out of the mouths of babes................etc.

I teach in a school that's been in SM and since I've been there we've had 4 heads. The things we've done consistently well in that tine include Art & Drama. Taking those things away wouldn't make maths and science better, but would make the school experience a whole lot less fulfilling for the kids.

I do meet them when doing pick ups and drop offs, but I don't really need to meet them unless there's a problem, do I? Not sure what I could tell about them from a ten minute (on a good day!) appointment

elephantoverthehill I appreciate that you do make the call promptly about issues. Unfortunately my DCs' school didnt. Probably yet another reason as to why it was in and out of special measures.

Im not seeing the automatic link between meeting the parent and wonderful relationships following, sorry, elephants son!

elephant personally I only want to meet teachers if there is something to say. Otherwise it's a waste of their time (and mine). Funnily enough (in view of the subject matter of this thread) I actually trust them to get on with teaching my child!

YY misti

I did say in a previous post that I was met by a Mum in Tesco and I was pleased to hear how her son, former student, was doing. Had we not met at a parent-teacher meeting I would not have had that good news.

Well done Cathpot - we can only hope that she reads it.

But parents evenings take hours elephants - and most of the appointments don't share any new news.

I like meeting the teachers. It's an opportunity to ask questions that I wouldn't bother ringing into school about.

The reduction in drama etc is a real loss, but that's what I meant earlier by Nicky Morgan only measuring 'success' in narrow terms (& Gove was as bad). It's extended to only some subjects mattering. Ds2 is very lucky in being allowed to take music & drama to GCSE. Suspect that will get harder with the ridiculous ebacc requirement for all (luckily ds3 who will be forced into that is a history-nut so won't resent it - but he would have chosen those subjects anyway).

My eldest son is severely disabled & was forced to do the national curriculum. At some stage near the beginning of year 11 it became increasing irrelevant to him & led to him becoming disengaged & frustrated. Now he's in post 16 the school have more freedom to offer him what he needs. We spent most of last year all recognising that he wasn't getting what he needed but school's hands were tied. Mind you his special school gets 'done' for poor attendance figures - often below 90%. That's because many of the children are very physically disabled & spend a lot of time in hospital or resting after seizures etc. In this post Govian nightmare that's no excuse & the school gets marked down. Which summarises how idiotic the assessment measures for schools (& by extension teachers) are these days. You can't really tackle that level of lunacy.

Thank you hollieberrie, I am still mulling it over but it seems so incompatible with having children.