Paid to study

[Hulababy]

Paid to stay on and study

This already happens at the school I teach at in Doncaster.

What do you think?

It happens at my old sixth form too.
I think it is quite a good idea too. Some kids leave school just to go and get the first job they see to get a bit of money.
It would of changed my mind about leaving.

It does seem to work for us too. And the fact that they get money withdrawn/stopped for misbehaviour/skiving lessons/not handing in homework or coursework is a good incentive too.

Our pupils have a sheet (they call it an EMA sheet) which they have to have signed for every lesson by their clas teacher. Teachers then sign it if they attend, and make comments on bottom of form for missing work, lateness and poor behaviour/attitude. It is then up to the Head of Sixth form to withhold money or not that week.

We were part of the trial, it's been running where I work for the last 3 years. All I can say is it is a mixed blessing. On one hand it encourages good attendance and punctuality, which can only be a good thing and results in higher grades and pass levels.

On the other hand, there are always some students who have no intention of working and are sometime best encouraged to leave the course and seek employment. However, the EMA encourages them to stay on at college. The end result is that it can be a nightmare trying to teach a class where there are a small section of students who turn up on time every day SOLELY to collect their EMA. They disrupt the class, do little or no work and generally are a complete nuisance. If you can't concieve this being a problem, try reading the Private Eye education supplement. A teacher describes a weeks worth of lessons and it is EXACTLY what I have to put up with every day. In years gone by we would be able to gently encourage these sorts of students into work or training and be able to get rid of them fairly quickly because of their poor attendance.

Oh well, swings and roundabouts.

slug - we have that proble too which is why the school has got very strict on the stopping money. Every instance of misbehaviour, poor attitude or missed work is recorded. Pupils who have their money stopped then have to have a meeting with HoY to discuss it. They are put on report and if it happens again they are often asked to leave the sixth form.

I did have 6 out of 10 of my pupils with EMA on report for not attending work placement. A week later 3 were asked to leave school as they also missed coursework deadlines for me (and the oher GNVQ teacher in the department). The other 3 remain on report - next coursework deadline for them is this week, so we shall see.

"If you can't concieve this being a problem, try reading the Private Eye education supplement. A teacher describes a weeks worth of lessons and it is EXACTLY what I have to put up with every day."

Sounds like your school may be very similar to mine. We are also part of the trial too - in Doncaster.

It is because of my experiences at this current school that I have just handed in my notice and have decided to do a year or 2 of supply to get out for a bit - and try and become less disillusioned - BEFORE it affects the quality of my teaching

Fun isn't it?

I can't help it, I'm soft. I just love the moment they get that "I got it!" expression on their faces.

I know - makes it worthwhile. I get thje joy this week of going back and giving out the GCSE coursework marks. Some have done really well and will be so pleased. Looking forward to that Will let HoD go the not so good ones I think