No new measures in England before New Year

[Jourdain11]

Has just been announced by the Health Secretary and reported across BBC etc.

Obviously I will get slated for this but I'm going to say it....

Teaching isn't like other jobs I've had where you can sort of have a quiet day - eg. hide behind your computer getting on with less challenging tasks because you're unwell and can't focus on more taxing stuff. Or where you can be reassigned to doing something less demanding but still be a useful body in work. Or where you can do your job less than well without dire consequences.

You're literally on your own in a room with 30 teenagers all looking to you to be the resource and manage everything. If you haven't done it it's hard to describe the energy and focus it takes especially if people are comparing to bygone times where teachers could say turn to page 47 and read and answer the questions with a reasonable expectation that the vast majority of kids could or would do that. You can't leave, you can't go and have a quiet sit down for ten minutes or take yourself off to the toilet to splash your face and catch your breath or whatever. You can't leave the class and there's no one available to take over for you. If you commit to going in that morning you're in and you're on until it's over.

Yes I'm well aware teaching isn't the only hard job etc but there are unique aspects (I've worked in lots of different jobs) and it takes a lot of physical and mental energy to teach 5 classes of 30 teenagers a day and be switched on and constantly responsive to the very diverse and sometimes very demanding and complex needs of everyone and warding off mayhem.

Shortening isolation periods isn't the magic bullet some seem to think. Just because you could legally be able to return to work doesn't mean you'd be fit to.

Same. Y13 DD no cover teachers. They just sit in a room with a sheet. Bette to be at home with online tuition.

@swallowedAfly I agree with you. I felt the same when I worked in a nursery. In my now office job its much easier to manage if you don't feel well.
A friend who is a counsellor says the same as you.

@swallowedAfly

Obviously I will get slated for this but I'm going to say it....

Teaching isn't like other jobs I've had where you can sort of have a quiet day - eg. hide behind your computer getting on with less challenging tasks because you're unwell and can't focus on more taxing stuff. Or where you can be reassigned to doing something less demanding but still be a useful body in work. Or where you can do your job less than well without dire consequences.

You're literally on your own in a room with 30 teenagers all looking to you to be the resource and manage everything. If you haven't done it it's hard to describe the energy and focus it takes especially if people are comparing to bygone times where teachers could say turn to page 47 and read and answer the questions with a reasonable expectation that the vast majority of kids could or would do that. You can't leave, you can't go and have a quiet sit down for ten minutes or take yourself off to the toilet to splash your face and catch your breath or whatever. You can't leave the class and there's no one available to take over for you. If you commit to going in that morning you're in and you're on until it's over.

Yes I'm well aware teaching isn't the only hard job etc but there are unique aspects (I've worked in lots of different jobs) and it takes a lot of physical and mental energy to teach 5 classes of 30 teenagers a day and be switched on and constantly responsive to the very diverse and sometimes very demanding and complex needs of everyone and warding off mayhem.

Shortening isolation periods isn't the magic bullet some seem to think. Just because you could legally be able to return to work doesn't mean you'd be fit to.

Absolutely agree with everyone single word.

Realistically yes in pure education terms quality remote learning would be more reliable and effective than hodge podge provision in person BUT that ignores the fact that schools aren't just about education but babysitting and being the sticking plaster for literally all of societies ills and taking care of people whose needs are way more complex than just needing to be educated.

Thank you to those who get it. I'll treasure your words when the inevitable why do teachers think they're so fucking special or have hard jobs pile on comes

@swallowedAfly

Obviously I will get slated for this but I'm going to say it....

Teaching isn't like other jobs I've had where you can sort of have a quiet day - eg. hide behind your computer getting on with less challenging tasks because you're unwell and can't focus on more taxing stuff. Or where you can be reassigned to doing something less demanding but still be a useful body in work. Or where you can do your job less than well without dire consequences.

You're literally on your own in a room with 30 teenagers all looking to you to be the resource and manage everything. If you haven't done it it's hard to describe the energy and focus it takes especially if people are comparing to bygone times where teachers could say turn to page 47 and read and answer the questions with a reasonable expectation that the vast majority of kids could or would do that. You can't leave, you can't go and have a quiet sit down for ten minutes or take yourself off to the toilet to splash your face and catch your breath or whatever. You can't leave the class and there's no one available to take over for you. If you commit to going in that morning you're in and you're on until it's over.

Yes I'm well aware teaching isn't the only hard job etc but there are unique aspects (I've worked in lots of different jobs) and it takes a lot of physical and mental energy to teach 5 classes of 30 teenagers a day and be switched on and constantly responsive to the very diverse and sometimes very demanding and complex needs of everyone and warding off mayhem.

Shortening isolation periods isn't the magic bullet some seem to think. Just because you could legally be able to return to work doesn't mean you'd be fit to.

I completely agree. Thank you for summing it up so eloquently.

@swallowedAfly

Obviously I will get slated for this but I'm going to say it....

Teaching isn't like other jobs I've had where you can sort of have a quiet day - eg. hide behind your computer getting on with less challenging tasks because you're unwell and can't focus on more taxing stuff. Or where you can be reassigned to doing something less demanding but still be a useful body in work. Or where you can do your job less than well without dire consequences.

You're literally on your own in a room with 30 teenagers all looking to you to be the resource and manage everything. If you haven't done it it's hard to describe the energy and focus it takes especially if people are comparing to bygone times where teachers could say turn to page 47 and read and answer the questions with a reasonable expectation that the vast majority of kids could or would do that. You can't leave, you can't go and have a quiet sit down for ten minutes or take yourself off to the toilet to splash your face and catch your breath or whatever. You can't leave the class and there's no one available to take over for you. If you commit to going in that morning you're in and you're on until it's over.

Yes I'm well aware teaching isn't the only hard job etc but there are unique aspects (I've worked in lots of different jobs) and it takes a lot of physical and mental energy to teach 5 classes of 30 teenagers a day and be switched on and constantly responsive to the very diverse and sometimes very demanding and complex needs of everyone and warding off mayhem.

Shortening isolation periods isn't the magic bullet some seem to think. Just because you could legally be able to return to work doesn't mean you'd be fit to.

Well said.

It's not just that teachers are in school with no mitigations, it's a harder job to do even if a tiny bit under the weather and even 'mild' covid is often a lot worse than that.

I'm mid/ late 40s and considered re-training a few years ago as a secondary school teacher in my degree subject, I have a few physical health problems from giving birth and the gruelling physical reality of it is why I didn't (the not being able to go to the toilet when needed was one of the big factors - this would also be true for anyone with IBS or any condition like that).

I don't think I could cope with being a teacher with my health as it is (or a nurse either fwiw - also a job on your feet where you can't take it easy).

Have to agree with the comments from teachers and former teachers on this thread.

I think the no new restrictions is driven by the views of some Tory backbenchers more than anything.

If you think many people haven't worked in many industries with minimal mitigations you are deluded.

Many people have worked in these ones which are keeping you fed ect, delivering you stuff.

@Againstmachine

If you think many people haven't worked in many industries with minimal mitigations you are deluded.

Many people have worked in these ones which are keeping you fed ect, delivering you stuff.

Yep, and they should have mitigations too. They're probably breaching H&S law on ventilation as well as schools.

I find it really quite disturbing how many people are ok with this - it's not just an issue to do with covid, it has pretty grim implications for workplace safety in general.

Yep, and they should have mitigations too. They're probably breaching H&S law on ventilation as well as schools.

Meanwhile in real world these people on minimum wage jobs keep turning up and not rocking the boat.

There are much worse conditions people work in every day than a school.

@Againstmachine

Yep, and they should have mitigations too. They're probably breaching H&S law on ventilation as well as schools.

Meanwhile in real world these people on minimum wage jobs keep turning up and not rocking the boat.

There are much worse conditions people work in every day than a school.

Teachers still turn up and get on with the job, same as everyone else (unless they're off sick with Covid) What do you define as 'rocking the boat', exactly? Are you suggesting that school staff shouldn't be allowed to ask for basic health and safety rights? Do you recall the NHS staff pleading for some basic proper PPE in 2020? Were they also 'rocking the boat'?

@swallowedAfly

Obviously I will get slated for this but I'm going to say it....

Teaching isn't like other jobs I've had where you can sort of have a quiet day - eg. hide behind your computer getting on with less challenging tasks because you're unwell and can't focus on more taxing stuff. Or where you can be reassigned to doing something less demanding but still be a useful body in work. Or where you can do your job less than well without dire consequences.

You're literally on your own in a room with 30 teenagers all looking to you to be the resource and manage everything. If you haven't done it it's hard to describe the energy and focus it takes especially if people are comparing to bygone times where teachers could say turn to page 47 and read and answer the questions with a reasonable expectation that the vast majority of kids could or would do that. You can't leave, you can't go and have a quiet sit down for ten minutes or take yourself off to the toilet to splash your face and catch your breath or whatever. You can't leave the class and there's no one available to take over for you. If you commit to going in that morning you're in and you're on until it's over.

Yes I'm well aware teaching isn't the only hard job etc but there are unique aspects (I've worked in lots of different jobs) and it takes a lot of physical and mental energy to teach 5 classes of 30 teenagers a day and be switched on and constantly responsive to the very diverse and sometimes very demanding and complex needs of everyone and warding off mayhem.

Shortening isolation periods isn't the magic bullet some seem to think. Just because you could legally be able to return to work doesn't mean you'd be fit to.

Well said

There are much worse conditions people work in every day than a school.

You say that like it's a good thing, and that not 'rocking the boat' about it is the appropriate, 'moral' reaction, rather than one those workers are forced into by lack of power.

Sometimes a boat needs a good rocking.

Meanwhile in real world these people on minimum wage jobs keep turning up and not rocking the boat

Many would argue that ‘Rocking the boat’ when it comes to unsafe working environments is the right thing to do.

Many would argue that ‘Rocking the boat’ when it comes to unsafe working environments is the right thing to do.

Meanwhile in the real world.

You protected by unions ect are in your own little bubbles.

What job do you do, Againstmachine?

On Mumsnet, whenever a poster comes on to ask for advice about a workplace scenario which is unsafe or unfair, they will always get lots of replies asking if they are in a union and to contact them as they will help or advise.

What job do you do, Againstmachine?

What is that to do with anything, there are many in oppressed jobs worse than teaching that's a fact.

Non unionised industries is not a good thing. This does not mean we should criticise those who have union membership.

Haha as if the teaching unions have any power! If only!

there are many in oppressed jobs worse than teaching

That isn’t a good thing.

That isn’t a good thing.

Never said it is but many people from other professions pretend they are hard done to when they aren't.