Performance Related Pay - a good thing right?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

especially the bit about being able to keep the better teachers in the classroom.

[noblegiraffe]

Personality. You have to form relationships with your classes and you can't do that if you're a robot.

[EvilTwins]

We had an INSET about AfL this week with an OFSTED inspector. The current focus is progress over time. I have concerns about proving what I know about the progress made by my students because I teach a practical subject (Performing Arts) and they don't have books/folders in KS3. The fact is, I am constantly assessing- I'm like a helicopter parent, constantly buzzing around and correcting, discussing, making suggestions for how the students can improve/ develop/ move towards and beyond targets. I might write things in my mark book once per fortnight (this is KS3 drama, so I see them once a week, so I'm recording this once every two lessons). At the end of every half term, I do review grades for parents and fill in a progress tracker for my own records. I also fill in a box on a more detailed progress sheet (this is a comment, rather than a level or grade) for each subject. I have been assured that this is enough. OFSTED do seem to have some faith in teachers' professionalism.

[EvilTwins]

For each student, that should say.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Depends on the inspector I think ET. We have also had training recently (they certainly have a lucrative sideline in CPD...) and although he spoke of progress over time, he was also all about short learning episodes and mini plenaries to demonstrate progress in the observation.

I reckon Ofsted observations are somewhat less objective than most teachers' progress tracking...

[noblegiraffe]

I'm pretty sure that Ofsted would be happy with a mini plenary where children self-assessed against success criteria or traffic lighted understanding without the teacher having to make detailed notes on each student's individual response.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Oh yes. We have digressed with Ofsted. My fault. Sorry.

[goingmadinthecountry]

Starlight, it's a bit like being on stage for the duration of a play (one man/woman play).
There isn't one minute during my contact time with children where I can fill in forms/tick boxes. That's not the best way to educate children. Hours of time at home and when not teaching cover that bit. I know what's going on, just don't have time to write it all down.
As a parent (of 4) I can tell a good teacher. I can assure you it isn't the one who ticks the most boxes. I am qualified to say this because some of my children are at university after great teachers helped them get lots of A* and A grades, and because I have done this job off and on for years (not for the money, I hasten to add). There are lots of rubbish teachers. That's awful, but there are lots of rubbish doctors/dentists/whatevers too.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Aaa agh, long post then iPad lost power.

Might try again but need to get over that programme on C 4. Am shaking with rage.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Once again another idiotic bureaucratic idea set up by a Government.
I feel so sorry for teachers as they are mostly unable to do the job they set out to do and get flack from all corners.
I don't use the education system anymore because the more I found out about policies, procedures and red tape, the more I realised that our dc were the last consideration for all concerned. My dd is worth more.

[Feenie]

It's hard to argue when you put it like that, morethanpotatoprints.