Those who think teaching is easy should put their money where their mouth is

[noblegiraffe]

Teacher training applications which rose during the pandemic have now fallen to 15% below pre-pandemic levels when we already had a critical teacher shortage. The government's decision to slash bursaries is now looking completely idiotic.

www.tes.com/news/teacher-training-applications-drop-pre-covid-levels

The only thing that the government has put an appreciable amount of funding into recently related to schools is £24 million to ensure that they will all be Ofsteded within the next 5 years. With inspectors expected to massively reduce the number of outstanding schools, this is a punishing schedule rather than a supportive one.

This is causing Heads to quit, on top of how terribly they were treated during the pandemic (this continued with an email late Friday telling them that they once again have to take on the job of the NHS and set up covid testing centres for January, with orders needing to be in by Tuesday).

We already have a critical shortage of headteachers.

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/nov/27/ofsted-inspections-headteachers-quit

I've noticed lots of posts on here from people who think that teaching is easy, that school funding is fine and there are no issues in schools, that you can leave at 3 and get lots of holidays.

So isn't it about time they put their money where their mouth is and trained as teachers? We are in dire need of them, and it's such a doss it should be a pleasure for them. A bit of a holiday even. And as it would be a public service, it would be guilt-free.

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

I think it’s the opposite - parents don’t have to be teachers’ cheerleaders.

I certainly agree with that. Teachers don't want praise, they just want an absence of bashing. But more than that, they just want to be able to get on with the bits of their job that actually benefit children.

I agree that teachers on MN do often react pretty strongly when they see other teachers being criticised. But that usually isn't just a blanket defence of teachers in general (we are all well aware there are bad teachers - we've all worked with some). It's a reaction to the specific situation or criticism, especially when the person criticising shows a total lack of understanding of how schools operate, or displays an offensive or selfish attitude. I find it almost impossible to resist commenting angrily on those threads, which is why I hid the whole education board a while ago. I didn't hide AIBU though...

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

Wow, that is a messed up response, well done you.

Aren’t you the poster going on about ‘bullshit’? So unnecessarily hostile, and not conducive to any kind of discussion.

@CallmeHendricks

"I'm sure it is hard work and long hours but so are many other jobs, a lot of whom earn much less than teachers."

So, back to the OP, they could always train up and join? Plenty of jobs available.

I'd love to be a teacher. It's something I've always wanted to do but unfortunately I didn't get the Maths grades I needed, even after trying twice. Surely that must be the case for others who would like to teach too?

Pumperthepumper

Aren’t you the poster going on about ‘bullshit’? So unnecessarily hostile, and not conducive to any kind of discussion.

says the poster twisting replies and posting snarky responses.

I can see that you don't like being called on it.

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

Aren’t you the poster going on about ‘bullshit’? So unnecessarily hostile, and not conducive to any kind of discussion.

says the poster twisting replies and posting snarky responses.

I can see that you don't like being called on it.

I don’t like the hostility, no. Or the defensiveness.

Pumperthepumper

Then maybe stop reading things in to peoples posts that aren't there.

I didn't always want to be a teacher. I did start my degree (maths and computing) knowing I wanted to use it to become a teacher. So I did a degree, was offered a job with a software development company specializing in mathematical software, but turned it down to do a PGCE and teach maths. That was 18 years ago, and the job has changed a lot since then.

The best way to recruit and retain teachers, imo, would be to reduce the workload without reducing the pay. A few years ago we had to lose 10% of our teaching staff as the rules for funding changed at pretty much the same time as NI contributions went up, and our school had falling pupil numbers (low birthrate in the catchment those years). That meant we all lost a period of PPA each week. That additional workload has made a huge difference to my life. I was struggling even before covid hit, because, to be a good/outstanding teacher, the workload in term time is crippling. Now I'm setting remote learning as well as in class teaching for most lessons, then attempting to catch up the kids who don't look at the remote learning (because they're ill 🤦). So now, I'm a good-enough teacher, who falls behind with marking, plans lessons in less time, etc because to keep to previous standards would mean I never see my family.

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

Then maybe stop reading things in to peoples posts that aren't there.

No, nothing hostile at all about ‘calling’ people on their ‘bullshit’.

@Rosebel have you considered doing an equivalency test? That could be an option

Pumperthepumper

Another response where you twist what was posted.

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

Another response where you twist what was posted.

Also, I forgot about this gem;

Wow, that is a messed up response, well done you

Hostile. And unnecessary

@Rosebel, the best teacher I know took his maths GCSE 5 times. He passed as an adult, having worked in other jobs for a few years. Do you have the time/opportunity to try a GCSE resit now? Lots of people find it makes more sense (or they can put more effort in) as an adult.

I wonder if posters who don't believe teachers get a hard time on mumsnet (and in the press/on Facebook) are, as they say, new to the forum? Or certainly were not on here much during the first lockdown/return to school.
The only positive for me that came out of all the teacher bashing of the time was the solidarity of so many lovely teachers on here, and the support of some equally lovely non-teaching parents.

Pumperthepumper

A bit like the "gem" that got you that response.

Try not to play the victim here. It doesn't suit you.

@FrippEnos

Pumperthepumper

A bit like the "gem" that got you that response.

Try not to play the victim here. It doesn't suit you.

You need to calm down. You’re taking this thread too personally, and it’s obviously causing you distress.

@Mistressiggi

I wonder if posters who don't believe teachers get a hard time on mumsnet (and in the press/on Facebook) are, as they say, new to the forum? Or certainly were not on here much during the first lockdown/return to school. The only positive for me that came out of all the teacher bashing of the time was the solidarity of so many lovely teachers on here, and the support of some equally lovely non-teaching parents.

But really, what difference does it make? You know the truth, you how hard you work, why do you need the approval?

@MrsHamlet

I'm not clear: are you saying that teachers should have the BEd because they shows they were always committed to teaching and didn't just fall into it?

That's exactly what they are saying, and you are right to read it that way. Passive aggressively asking about routes into the job to infer people who didn't do the 3 year course did it due to no other options. We see you Pumper .

I have a BEd in Secondary English - does that mean I’m a better teacher than everyone here? Please all hail me 😆

@motherrunner

I have a BEd in Secondary English - does that mean I’m a better teacher than everyone here? Please all hail me 😆

All hail motherrunner

I will go into work tomorrow expecting a trumpeting fanfare and roses thrown at my feet.

In reality I’ll be met with eyes rolling, resting bitch faces and very loud sighs. Aah, if only they knew I’m a ‘real’ teacher.

Resting bitch face is better than the active bitch faces I get. Must be because I'm not a proper teacher 🤷‍♀️

I will go into work tomorrow expecting a trumpeting fanfare and roses thrown at my feet.

In my school public displays of adulation are reserved for supply staff. 🤣

@Mookie81 I’ve got a PGDE!

I was hoping for a measured discussion about our profession but no, it’s ego stroking or nothing. We’re not allowed to talk about anything other than how hard we have it and how nobody pats us on the back for doing the job we chose and are paid to do.

I must admit that I am unclear what it is that you want to discuss.

@Piggywaspushed

I must admit that I am unclear what it is that you want to discuss.

The route into teaching, and the retention and recruitment crisis.