Primary School Teachers jobsharing

[KittyPerry77]

Out of the 14 classes in my kids' school (2 form entry), 4 classes will now have two class teachers jobsharing instead of one class teacher. I think this will be most unsettling for the children and just not workable at primary level. How can one teacher pick up the maths lesson that someone else has taught the day before? Most impractical I think. And if there is an issue that happened with one teacher you'd need to wait 'til they're working again next week.
Am I being unreasonable?
And if not what can I do? Obviously the head can't change these teachers working conditions now so what criticism can constructively be given to the head? Thankfully my kids are both having one class teacher each this year but I am worried about subsequent years.

[Mozismyhero]

Yabu. I am part time teacher. With good communication and planning, it works well.

[AlfrescoBalconyWanker]

It really annoys me to be in the playground with someone whining about "having the job share next year"

I'd rather my kids were taught by two happy, good, experienced teachers with a good work-life balance, that were both involved in planning, parents evenings and the school community etc - than a single stressed to the eyeballs teacher juggling 5 balls with multiple other teachers covering various bits of the day.

[Pineapplemilkshake]

YANBU. My DS was in a class with a job share teaching arrangement for three years out of his first four. He really fell behind, and only flourished in a class with one regular teacher. Obviously some people will have had positive experiences, but it likely depends on the teachers involved. Unfortunately one of DS's previous teachers appeared completely disinterested in her job and I believe she has since dropped her part of the jobshare to one half day a week, which seems a bit pointless for the children.

[olderthanyouthink]

In secondary school and college I had two two or three teachers for a few subjects (maths, science, ICT & graphic design).
Mostly what happened was each teacher would take a separate part of the subject and we'd end up with maths - geometry on some days and on others maths - algebra.
The only different subject was graphics where we did the same work the whole time which meant we had guidance and input from two tutors instead of one. (Sometimes they said conflicting things but that's what you get in a subjective subject)

I know I was a lot older than primary kids but as lucy said it can work perfectly well with younger children.

[RB68]

Its healthy I think - there is variety in approach which means it suits more kids, if they don't like the teacher for whatever reason then they are not stuck with them the whole time etc. My yr 6 has a 2/3 day week split job share and on top of that they have a very senior TA so like a third teacher honestly, and it means that they get good variety, they don't get bored and they have all done exceptionally well with Sats so very pleased with the situation

[HandWash]

How do you give 'constructive criticism' on a subject you know nothing about or any experience of?

Don't you think the Headteacher knows a little more about it than you?

[lalalalyra]

Kids at my DS's school love the year they are in the class with 2 teachers. My girls year group had two classes and the kids all wanted to be in that class that had Miss X and Mrs Y.

It works well because they both teach their strength subjects. I find it really good, especially because Mrs X comes in on a Wednesday afternoon when the kids are starting to get the midweek fidgets to and she's full of energy.

I also think it's great if your child had any issues, as DD2 did, because with two teachers working with her in their own way there was double the chance of something clicking. It was ideal for her.

Maybe I'm odd but job share teachers and/or composite classes are positives to me.

[firawla]

We have a job share with 2 teachers in reception class. Ds2 had them last year and ds3 has them this year. When ds2 was allocated that class at first I was a little worried and thought it may be unsettling or confusing (mainly because he has asd and he used to really struggle to remember people's names, so I thought having twice as many teachers would not suit) but actually it has been fine. They are great teachers and communicate well with each other - I've not heard of any issues coming up from it, I think it's just daunting at first as its maybe not what you had pictured for an infant class. I would go with it with an open mind and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised. You can't really complain to the head - it's not something they will be able to change

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

It is an unreasonable complaint and there are also many benefits to having two teachers

This with bells on.

How can you also criticise something you haven't even experienced

[AlmaMartyr]

My DCs have both had a job share in Year 1, and it's been brilliant both times. Absolutely amazing teachers, and they've worked the system out perfectly. Kids have loved it because they've had two special relationships rather than just 1. Also, if one is off or working elsewhere for whatever reason they cover for each other so there's very little supply. I love it, tbh.

[OneArt]

Job sharing teachers can work well IMO.

[SetPhasersTaeMalkie]

You can't complain to the Head, it's not something they will be able to change.

This ^ with bells on.

It goes to the heart of the matter. You can express your concerns and seek reassurance but that's about all.

[PatriciaHolm]

Yes, YABU I'm afraid. It's entirely normal and entirely workable - we have several such classes, DS has been in one this year, and it works very well.

Of course there are going to be examples of it not working, but then there are some teachers who teach alone who aren't effective, it's no more likely in a shared class.

[bloodymaria]

Why on earth would you think the headteacher needs your 'constructive criticism'?

YABU and a bit daft really, why should teachers not be allowed flexibility in working conditions? Children are remarkably resilient, and my experience of job-share classes has been positive without exception.

[bombayflambe]

Both my DCs had two teacher classes for some of their primary school. We never had a problem and both DCs were happy and learned a lot.

[2016Hopeful]

It's fine. My son's primary has sets for English and Maths anyway and then the class teacher does the rest. Children need to learn adaptability as that is life!

I think part time is the only way to keep many teachers in the profession as it's very hard to teach full time and balance the needs of a family.

[CountessOfStrathearn]

You are going to get SO MUCH more work out of 2 part-time teachers than out of a full-time one, as anyone who works "part time" will tell you.

DC1 had job sharing teachers for Reception and it worked so well. As well as other things that people have mentioned above, it was also really good having the two different personalities and different teaching styles for the children. He absolutely thrived.

[ChocChocPorridge]

YABU - DS1 had job share teachers for his reception year and it was absolutely fine - in fact, I'd go so far as to say that it was brilliant because everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and by having two teachers they were able to concentrate on their strengths.

DS wasn't confused, upset or in any way disadvantaged by it.

[BitOutOfPractice]

You know that job sharing can and does work brilliantly in most cases don't you?

What are you basing your concerns on? Any experience in teaching? Your DC have had a bad experience of a job share? Or it's just something you feel in your water?

So yes, YABVVU

[scallopsrgreat]

YABU. Nothing wrong with job sharing. If anything a Primary School Teacher is one of the better roles for this type of flexibility. And having seen it in action I really can't see how it disadvantages children. My eldest loved it - as did his friends and fellow parents. The teachers worked in tandem. They also had TAs who helped keep continuity. But to be honest continuity really wasn't an issue. Clearly they managed to talk to each other . And as for waiting a few days to raise an issue - there is no reason you can't raise the question if they aren't there. Again, they both have voice boxes, they can talk to each other. And I agree about the two special relationships. Definitely the case.

It would massively disadvantage women if this was not an option too.

More flexibility in the workplace is needed tbh. And that will include changing people's mind sets about how things can work...clearly.

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

My experiences of job share teachers are also very positive. My children have had this a few times over the years.

Totally agree that it's brilliant to get a fresh rested teacher halfway through the week. Also ours had different strengths so led different areas accordingly - eg one was fairly newly qualified, very enthusiastic and creative; the other much more experienced and a phonics/reading expert.

Ds did have a job share in year 4 where one of the teachers was less good and it wasn't so great - but I honestly think that was because she was a crap teacher - and at least he didn't have her all week.

[grumpysquash]

my DS had job share teachers in year 3 and again in year 5 (different teachers). It's fine. They both plan for the week and generally teach different topics (e.g. they might get fractions on Mon-Tue-Wed and decimals on Thu-Fri). It works fine.

A hidden advantage is that job share teachers tend to have DC and tend to be experienced professionals.

[knowler]

Ha - you sound incredibly unreasonable. Your concerns aren't based in reality. You seem to be simply opposed to an idea of which you have absolutely no experience. How about you concentrate on giving "constructive criticism" to professionals where you do actually have a clue?

[WhirlwindHugs]

My kids school has lots of job sharing teachers too. I think it works really well and is a good way of attracting outstanding teachers.

DD has definitely done really well this year with two teachers, no issues with information sharing or teaching.

[grannytomine]

One of my GC has been in this situation this year, it has gone fantastically well for him and has been a very successful year for him.