Teachers!

[MsFannySqueers]

So retired/ex teachers are being asked to consider returning to the classroom because of possible staff shortages in the New Year. Is this something you would do?

Oh, I know lesson obs can be awful. But if you’re retired, you’re not going back into it as a career, surely?

I went back September.

I can assure you that it has been needed
throughout the pandemic and if I had missed most of the 20-21 academic year, I too would probably be wondering why teachers were moaning!

@MrsHamlet

I refused to mark in the way my school asked. Then you were lucky not to find yourself on some kind of "support plan"

Refusing to follow the school marking policy would have had you on an informal competency support plan in my last three schools. At the height of idiocy, as supply a few years back, I was marking work in pink and green for children who often needed it read to them. ‘Two stars and a wish’ on every piece.

SLT use competency as a bludgeon.

What happens when you’re put on an ‘informal competency support plan’?

@Pumperthepumper

What happens when you’re put on an ‘informal competency support plan’?

There is no such thing as an informal competency support plan but if you mean what happens when performance concerns are raised:

A 6 week support programmes put in place followed by a review.

Why?

I've ignored our marking policy for years. It changes every time we get a new manager (FE) and is always pointless

I've had the best results in our large department for years without following the shite. You can push back if your skin is thick enough. I smile and nod in the meetings then do what I think is best for my students.

Can I say it again... I don't think most retired teachers won't be going back because teaching is/is not shit.

They won't come back because they don't want Covid. Simple.

A 6 week support programmes put in place followed by a review.

And what does that mean? How close are you to being sacked?

I’m asking because I don’t know.

@MissCruellaDeVil

We can't get supply staff in so doubt retired teachers will want to come in, the standards wouldn't be the same either, teaching moves so fast.

I think most retired teachers could do a good job. After all if there is a pandemic children getting taught by staff with years of experience is preferable to no staff or casual ones. After all children learned well for generations from them. I am teaching 40 years and while things have changed many times over that period l didn't necessarily become a better teacher with ridiculous government new ideas over the years. My concern would be energy levels of retired teachers.

I’m not wondering why teachers are moaning. I’m simply saying that I think the reaction is not reflecting brilliantly on us.

I assure you it has been needed no Chloe, it hasn’t. I had a maternity teacher covering my timetable and for the period schools were open and I wasn’t there it was spring and summer when cases were lower.

And I’m not sure I’m comfortable on a womens board being bashed myself for having the tenacity for going on maternity leave!

"They won't come back because they don't want Covid. Simple."

EXACTLY!! Although neither do those of us still in the profession, but we just have to suck it up and, according to Pumperthepumper, keep quiet about the situation.

@CallmeHendricksGingleBells

"They won't come back because they don't want Covid. Simple."

EXACTLY!! Although neither do those of us still in the profession, but we just have to suck it up and, according to Pumperthepumper, keep quiet about the situation.

What does this mean?

Then if the support plans aren’t effective in their eyes, you move into formal competency proceedings with targets and assessments with a view to solving the problem. Leave voluntarily, go on sick leave, be sacked. Most take one of the first options.
It’s hard to sack a teacher, but relatively easy to manage them out.

no Chloe, it hasn’t. I had a maternity teacher covering my timetable and for the period schools were open and I wasn’t there it was spring and summer when cases were lower.

But you would have been an additional member of staff to help with all of the hell that was the academic year 20-21 which you luckily didn’t have to experience.

So I will say again that it is very easy for you to say that the reaction of many is not looking good for teaching, when you didn’t do it either.

I don’t think you should have done it mind but for some reason, you think others should have/do.

@Pumperthepumper: "You post on a forum to raise awareness, or to correct misconceptions, why?"

If we don't raise awareness, that's "keeping quiet," isn't it?

[quote CallmeHendricksGingleBells]@Pumperthepumper: "You post on a forum to raise awareness, or to correct misconceptions, why?"

If we don't raise awareness, that's "keeping quiet," isn't it?[/quote]
It’s more the ‘suck it up’ bit.

[quote CallmeHendricksGingleBells]@Pumperthepumper: "You post on a forum to raise awareness, or to correct misconceptions, why?"

If we don't raise awareness, that's "keeping quiet," isn't it?[/quote]
Although yes, posting on a forum about how hard your job is is pointless. Nobody is going to change it for you.

What’s happened to all the new teachers who graduated this year?
Aren’t they available?
The school I was in last week had a final year student who’d taken over the class when the teacher got Covid.
Didn’t they draft a lot of final year medical people last year? They could do the same with teaching students. Baptism of fire.

If I’d been asked, I’d have considered it, Chloe, but I do think you’re completely misunderstanding me.

I don’t think anyone should. I do think the outrage of some to it being merely suggested doesn’t reflect brilliantly on us as a profession.

People get very upset about teacher bashing on here - so don’t give people that opportunity.

I think there’s been a lot of teacher explaining rather than whining, but no one’s listening, so it’s all just lumped in with ‘Teachers are complaining again’ and it’s not heard.

I’m listening. I have no issue with explaining but I don’t think it needs an explanation.

Retired teachers could have other jobs, caring commitments, voluntary commitments or they may simply not want to and I think all of those are fine. It requires nothing more than ‘no, thanks - doesn’t work for me.’

But getting worked up about it (I don’t mean you personally are getting worked up) achieves nothing.

"Although yes, posting on a forum about how hard your job is is pointless. Nobody is going to change it for you."

I'm not expecting anyone to change it. Nor am I posting how hard my job is. That would be on a hiding to nothing.

We're getting nowhere here. I'm out.

Are they worked up though?
Or are they laughing with incredulity at a government campaign to get oldies to sign up to supply agencies and work in a plague pit without backup? Or better still... volunteer 🤣

@BurningTheClocks

Are they worked up though? Or are they laughing with incredulity at a government campaign to get oldies to sign up to supply agencies and work in a plague pit without backup? Or better still... volunteer 🤣

I don’t see why anyone would laugh when they asked the same of NHS staff.

I don’t know. It’s true that they could well be laughing but it’s a snort of derision. I do understand that. I’m just not sure it’s going to endear us to the public