To be really angry on behalf of teachers

[Jessicabrassica]

I know mumsnet loves a bit of teacher bashing.
I'm really angry that once again the Department for Education has put out guidance for schools in a Friday night before a long weekend with some schools having already started and others back next week.
I cannot imagine how many iterations of risk assessments have already been completed to make schools as safe as possible given the constraints of staff numbers, building size and requirements to get every child back in school.
They are getting enough PPE to tick the box that it's been issued to all schools but not enough to be useful.
Teachers mostly haven't stopped working since the pandemic began. They have continued to teach, to support vulnerable learners, provided meals and good parcels out of school funds in lieu of FSM, they remained open through school holidays for key worker provision.
I really feel that they have been well and truly fucked over, left massively vulnerable and will be left to carry the can for community outbreaks.

I'm a parent and work for the NHS if it's if any consequence.

I think exactly the same re SEMH Marsha - “you’ve missed two terms of school and you’ve had holidays too since I saw you - it’s been really tough for all of us. Is anyone else feeling weird wearing proper shoes?”

You’re then not minimising, but you’re framing it in an easier way to deal with.

I would say most Year 10 finished what they needed to last year. There are some curriculum tweaks and god knows what OFQUAL and the DfE but if your son has mocks before Christmas I would strongly recommend that he puts in a stellar performance. That is an approach I know a number of schools are taking just in case we need evidence when objecting to the next mutant algorithm. We have been told by Head to crack on as quickly as possible, not pratting about with niceties or interesting extension work just focus on specification, assessment and past papers. Sorry but my lessons may be a bit boring as a result as it will be Theme 2 section 1.1, then Theme 2 section 1.2.then ......

That’s a nice start to the term Smile. I know teachers will be great (and I know it’s got heated on here at times) but I have no doubt you’ll be back in your usual positive and helpful way. That’s a lovely thing to start with.

Blinking heck what an odd year! (Not over yet of course)

And I will be taking the same approach with Year 10, 12 and 13.

Quite excited to have another one for my list!

Thanks @Floatyboat

They need to get on with it just like everyone else. ‘ ‘Extra mile? How about just working as normally as possible and letting all kids back into education.’ ‘You don't hear nurses going on about similar issues as teachers do.’ ‘INSET days are just proof of poor planning’ (paraphrasing),’They have had a long holiday since March. ‘ Openly having hobbies and not having the decency to feel ashamed' (I'm paraphrasing), 'teachers need to play their part in society' Moaning', 'crack on', 'snowflakes', 'whining', 'get a grip', 'paid with our money', 'don't live in the real world', 'teachers just love to sodding moan', ‘Thank goodness nurses and doctors carries on without the same fuss.’, ‘our teAchers will close the school again at the drop of a hat.’ ‘If only teachers put as much energy into re-opening schools as they seem to complaining about how unfair it all is on them.’ ‘There has been no particular spreading of COVID in schools and no reason to be concerned ‘ ‘Shit at their jobs (and parents can do it better but we still want teachers to do it even though they’re shit).’ ‘gas lighting.’ ‘Some people just seem to want lockdown to last forever.’ ‘suffering major delusions’, ‘constantly whining about how they have it uniquely difficult.’ ‘refusal to even acknowledge that this has been going on’,
‘dereliction of duty to their pupils’, ‘actively mocking foster parents and vulnerable children’, ‘other people have got it worse so shut-up’, ‘I think you’ll find the world a tough place. (Translation: you live in Narnia), ‘I'm glad you're not my child's teacher’, ‘it only shows how removed from reality many educators seem to be’, ‘start proving their worth again’, ‘teachers are gagging for schools to close so they can avoid work (and will deliberately go into school while infected to achieve this)'.

Also lots around the theme of ‘I’ve been treated really badly at work, so why shouldn’t teachers be?’

I’ve seen at least three more examples of the last one.

Worth adding in full, as a fine example of it’s type:

‘Least they're being given ppe not sure if you've noticed but all the factory workers across the country haven't stopped working either.

And have been working mostly without protections and dying at the highest rate.

Possibly not middle class enough to care about though.’

Sounds good to me Staff feel free to make them work hard

Blinking heck what an odd year! (Not over yet of course)

You’re not wrong!!

Staff is right re mocks - if there is further disruption due to Covid, we need to be prepared for CAGs again.

For all those who say the unions are the devil incarnate- the NEU has already sent a proposal to the government outlining how we can take a robust approach to exams next year, including ideas about how CAGs can be used if necessary.

So if g thy he government pull something from behind the sofa at the 11th hour, please blame them - and only them.

@FlySheMust

I think what this thread has shown is that a lot of teacher bashers are a bit thick with very poor comprehension skills. Time and time again others have tried to explain where they are wrong in their assumptions and it doesn't sink in. Facts don't matter. They repeat the same lies.

Let's hope their DCs show more of an inclination to learn.

I was wondering if it was reading difficulties.

But I've come to the conclusion it's people so intent on just arguing 'because'.

The number of ligers who will pick up on a line, out of context and twist it is unbelievable.

I think it's to create this narrative with quotes to detract from the actual narrative.

I've decided what's best is that everyone ignores them. After all. Then there just arguing with themselves

I love a good debate. I can even change my mind.

But half the time it's not even debate. It's not that intelligent!

Happy to work them hard. He has to understand that every piece of work may matter this year.

Please don't moan when it is just not me but all his subject teachers. Some kids did well during lockdown and some didn't. Teachers will only be able to do so much to help those who have fallen behind and the focus has to be on those who are pupil premium.

I have already had some inquiries for tutoring but I am saying no this year. I know some teachers started tutoring in August this year as some parents are focused on the mocks after the government U turns.

I just had a chat with him Staff relaying your info. He did a fair bit over summer to get ready (had to from school but also to catch up generally). But he finds it better in school.

@SmileEachDay I reckon if it goes to CAGs again then there will be spot check sampling. So schools will have to provide upper, middle and lower levels. Mocks will have to be a robust paper

I actually come form the other end of the spectrum. I don't want to be constantly testing them. I just want to be able to get on with teaching properly.

But I know what you mean about evidence. I shudder to think what plans SLT have!

We also did collections for families. As well as the FSM some parents set up a group to deliver to vulnerable families as staff agreed to donate.

When I got my £25 refund from admiral insurance - I spent it all on stuff for the collection.

We care about those families struggling.

We got a message one day saying nappies, Sanpro and wipes were really short.

Next day the collection box was over flowing with these things.

But what people need to remember is that government closed schools to the wider community with limited physical attendance and home learning the norm for most.

It amazes me how many people act as if teachers just walked out!

Staff

This is what the NEU are asking for:

We call on the Government to:

Reduce the content assessed in GCSE and A-level exams next summer. Students starting the final year of their GCSEs and A-levels in September 2020 have missed months of schooling: the exams they sit in the summer of 2021 must reflect this lost learning time. They must be slimmed down by making some topics optional to allow for the different order in which content will have been taught across the country.

Work with teachers and school leaders to develop a robust national system of moderated centre assessed grades in case there is further disruption to exams next summer because of a second spike in coronavirus or local lockdowns.

Commission a thorough independent review into assessment methods used to award GCSE and A-level qualifications in England, along the lines announced by the Scottish government. The current over-reliance on exams increases student anxiety and fails to give a fair reflection of what students can achieve. All options should be considered to ensure that young people are rewarded for their achievements, supported to fulfil their potential and not held back due to their background.

So I guess spot checks would form part of the moderation.

That is a very reasonable ask. Hardly strident, asking not to open schools is it?

The problem is how to reduce the content. Some schools will have a number of teachers sharing delivery and some may just have one.

Some schools will take the approach of teach Unit 1 then Unit 2 then 3 and then 4. Others may teach Unit 1 and Unit 2 in tandem, then co-teach unit 3, leaving unit 4 till then end.

All sorts of combos which also impact mocks. Therefore we need a decision by October half term not February half term.

Spot checks has to be a way to go - otherwise we will have even more grade inflation.

Staff

The exam board had already agreed to a reduction in content in some subjects - GCSE English for example.

Only GCSE Lit.

History and art and some amendments to music and drama. I think that's it.

The current over-reliance on exams increases student anxiety and fails to give a fair reflection of what students can achieve

I am so on board with this from The NEU. But Nick Gibb is obsessed.

I think there’ll be some further movement- what would be helpful in your subjects?

Yes I saw that plus changes to practicals and NEAs etc.

But a fair number of subjects had had no changes and that is what worries me.

Imagine we get to Feb half term and some teachers will have whipped through the content only to be told that they dont need xyz. Knowing Gav and the DfE that is bound to happen.

And no Geography field trip

Knowing Gav and the DfE that is bound to happen

That is the worry for sure.

Lots of things smile.

If lit can get a whole text removed because they are too 'complex' to teach remotely, I fail to understand why Film doesn't. Nothing more complex than teaching a copyright protected film remotely! So so easy to cut down two film comparison units to one film.

NEA could be massively streamlined.

GCSE English could remove the pointless Spoken English.

The Ofqual consultation document was hard to read and convoluted.

The Ofqual consultation document was hard to read and convoluted

Deliberately do. I had to read it several times to make sure I gave the right answer.