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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish schools would scrap registration

217 replies

gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 11:18

Seems to make more sense to me to register kids in lessons.

We could finish half an hour earlier if this was the case. Bliss.

OP posts:
Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 12:44

Yeah, but Piggy, it is far easier to manage behaviour in a lesson. For one, there is a clear purpose to the lesson. For another, I know my trigger points and I can manage them - I know jake will struggle writing an essay so I give him a writing frame; I know Abbie never has a pen so I give her one. Form time is less structures and chaotic as a result.

OP posts:
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 27/07/2018 12:44

I think that tutor time is a good opportunity to know the students better in a slightly different setting then a subject lesson.

I think your head of year should have a plan for tutor time, which you should be given in your tutor meetings. If there is no expected structure, it will be pointless.

Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 12:46

We do have a plan. It’s shit, though. But still ultimately pointless.

OP posts:
OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 27/07/2018 12:48

We have 15 minutes. This gives us time to do equipment check (because we are trying to stamp out "I haven't got a pen"-they get sent to the maths shop.) uniform check, and register and any messages. No phse, no activities. And first registration allows the late buses to arrive (rural, so common) and the sms and phone calls to happen. Simple, easy,no boredom.

Piggywaspushed · 27/07/2018 12:50

You should know your form even better if you see them every day!

To be fair to me , when I was a HOY, I gave tutors highly structured and engaging stuff to do : all planned for them took me bloody months. Half didn't do it at all (although I am not averse myself to purposeless chatting), others did it v enthusiastically, about two played Sporcle and then the others whined about being given structured tasks to do!! It is amazing how very skilful teachers suddenly can't cope in a classroom.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 27/07/2018 12:50

We don't have registration. We have a tutor period in the middle of the day.

Sparklyshoes16 · 27/07/2018 12:51

(Seeline) My DCs tutor have always used the session for other things too. Yes there are the notices etc, but on the days that there isn't assembly, the tutors arrange discussions on current affairs, organise the kids to do presentations on a hobby/interest, get small groups to present something, run a quiz etc, as well as being available to advise on school matters or personal matters. Near exam time, they might help with revision tips etc.

^^This

@gettingevenhotter Perhaps when you go back maybe try some of the above? I used to set scenarios and my Y10s would have a good old debate (sometimes heated) about the topic...was a little on the PSHE side too.

Why is it a battle? How do they come into the room? Do you have 20 secs of countdown calm? Worked really well for me when I had a vertical tutoring group...do they sit structured or with friends? Just thinking if you're tutor time was structured a little more? Do you share resources amongst your tutor team?

Piggywaspushed · 27/07/2018 12:51

Ah, yes, just read your update : you sound like the last group described above! Become a HOY. You never have to have a form class then! Bliss! Wink

simplysleepy · 27/07/2018 12:56

Never had any sort of registration in any of the schools I attended (central London) and we got in perfectly fine with registration at the start of each lesson. Took 2 minutes and that was that. Took more lesson time having to pray at the start of every period (catholic education) so I don’t really see how registering kids would disrupt the day majorly

Piggywaspushed · 27/07/2018 12:58

Out of interest simply when was assembly?

Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 12:59

I don’t mind doing things when there’s a purpose. When it’s just time filling it’s annoying and the kids don’t do it.

I teach a core subject so see most classes every day.

OP posts:
Sparklyshoes16 · 27/07/2018 13:04

@gettingevenhotter It sounds like you need to set some boundaries from the very start and stick to them, have equipment out to show they are set for the day if they need to go and buy one they get a detention as they should already have it or sorted it before tutor...my old school the equipment shop was open from 8.15 registration was at 8.40 so they had plenty of time to get in and get sorted. Kids lined up outside quietly before coming in on entering they would stand behind the desk with equipment out then sit when I said so then do register in silence.

At my other school similar scenario but they would do 20 second countdown timer on the board then sit in silence whilst I did the register...then things like notices, letters, activities would be done...usually have around 1 min at the end to close and calm, line up to exit etc before period 1...seemed to work in the two schools I worked in.

TheOnceAndFutureQueen · 27/07/2018 13:06

Form time is less structures and chaotic as a result

Maybe you need to build in more structure then. I have a 'challenging' tutor group. Their previous tutor really struggled with them due to lack of routines etc but since I took them over two years ago they've been fine. They know the routines and expectations of behaviour are the same as for normal lessons. Plus we have a focus /something to do every day. I usually find it hard to fit everything into 20 minutes. I agree with PPs that either you or your school need to look at how you use tutor time.

Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 13:10

I’m not farting about giving detentions. Way to make your form hate you.

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 27/07/2018 13:11

Being a good form tutor is absolutely essential.

If you hate it, I suggest you find things to structure it. Then it ceases to become a waste of time. I do a Big Friday Question with my lot where we discuss something from the news that day/week. Kids need to know that their form tutor gives a shit. That way they will come to you if they have problems. OK, that can be a PITA sometimes (didn't need to spend the time I spent three weeks ago with two weeping Yr 12s whose boyfriends had both dumped them on the same day, but hey, it's part of the job) BUT four years ago seeing the same kids every morning meant that I was able to help a girl who (in Year 9) was in an abusive relationship (with a Year 11 boy who thought it was OK to tell her what to wear/how to do her hair/who to be friends with/which lessons to skive etc) and a few years ago meant I was able to support a Year 11 girl who needed to report her physically and emotionally abusive father to the police.

Maybe it's different if you're in a naice school in a leafy suburb (though I don't think it is) but students need a form tutor who is not just there "to teach".

If you hate that part of the job, OP, then I think that's a shame. Unfortunately, you're not alone, and lots of teachers do a shit job of tutoring because they think it's a waste of time. Do it properly and it's not.

Blaablaablaa · 27/07/2018 13:11

As someone who worked in schools as a careers adviser tutorial times were really important.... especially the morning one. It meant I could speak to an entire group if needed and tell kids when their appointments were. This was much harder in schools that didn't have tutorial time or had vertical tutor groups.

Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 13:15

You can have positive relationships with kids in lesson times, you know.

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 27/07/2018 13:15

gettingevenhotter yes you can, but you need to do other things at those times - like cover the curriculum.

HighwayDragon1 · 27/07/2018 13:18

We've had our form time extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. It's great, they catch up on homework, access computers for extra learning (some have no internet at home) and it gives me an opportunity to talk with them, make sure they are ok, that nothing is bothering them. Obviously we give out messages and check uniforms too.

Across the school behaviour has improved and kids seem happier. This can only be a good thing.

LimeIce · 27/07/2018 13:22

Thanks @Sparklyshoes16
Dd's form tutor has been helpful by email but not seen her.

borntobequiet · 27/07/2018 13:23

I liked being a form tutor, especially a sixth form tutor. So rewarding to see them develop and gain confidence personally and academically and head off in the right direction at the end of their school careers.
I don’t think I was much good with younger students, though - I had a few years with Y 7-9 that seemed to consist of endless crises and disasters, some really bizarre.

Original poster
gettingevenhotter · 27/07/2018 13:28

But some of you are saying that you need to do other things in form time.

It just seems to me that it’s a waste of time (sorry) - and lots of kids have dreadful relationships with their form tutors and would be more likely to make any safeguarding disclosures to a teacher they felt comfortable with.

OP posts:
Tw1nsetAndPearls · 27/07/2018 13:31

We register students every lesson but that despite its name that isn't really what registration is about.

EvilTwins · 27/07/2018 13:33

lots of kids have dreadful relationships with their form tutors - IME, this is generally with the form tutors who think that it's a waste of time. Go figure.

Tw1nsetAndPearls · 27/07/2018 13:34

I’ve never liked the pastoral stuff tbf

I would never have guessed. I suspect that your tutor group have also guessed and that is why you have a battle on your hands.