teacher crisis

[supplysam]

New name, I have been reading threads in education for a long time, and really want to put across to some parents what is really going on in our schools.

I've been in schools for 30 years. Not all teachers will have witnessed what I've witnessed, or experienced what I've experienced, but many will have.

I taught for decades. I resigned because the "profession" is now nothing more than slave labour. The normal day is 15+ hours, and many days are longer. fulfilling all the requirements of being a full time teacher simply do not leave time to sleep and eat. Not only that, but you are held over a barrel by ofsted (and school managers) who blame you for the behavior and attitude of students and parents, when you have no control over either. I am not blaming school managers, buy the way, they are often under insane and ridiculous pressure themselves.

As a supply teacher, I walk in at the stat of the day, and walk out at the end, with my job done, and no pressure or expectations at all. The pay is good, and there is no shortage of work.

I am often asked back, I am often BEGGED to take long term positions. This is what happens. I take it, on a day to day basis. When the work load starts piling up, when I find I am spending my family time on irrelevant and rubbishy non educational paperwork, when the attitude of any student becomes something I don't want to listen to, I leave.

The next day, I am in another job, being begged to stay!

[FannyGlum]

I don't think it's the behaviour as such, more how it isn't dealt with by higher up.

We were never told supply teaching hours or cover hours. We did have unqualified teachers teaching ks3 classes though.

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

Thanks for calling my school rubbish!
It's not behaviour that's getting me down, it's constant change for no reason. Being told IGCSE will count for league tables (hooray - better preparation for English Lit A level) now being told it won't. Our head is letting us continue with the support of the governors, but expect some interesting headlines in a couple of years when the league tables are published!

[EvilTwins]

Gfplux - no. Why would they? And publish it where, for what purpose?

Presumably DC are able to let their parents know.

And there are plenty of good supply teachers. So knowing how many hours is kind of pointless.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Dd talks about some dreadfully behaved kids in her school. Kids who tell the teachers to fuck off, fight in classes, run round the classroom rather than work, sit there and sing loudly.

She says most of the time the teachers ignore them. Occassionally "security" are called for and two men who aren't teachers turn up with a radio and will physically remove the kid from the classroom. I think she's referring to the Isolation block staff who aren't teachers.

So if the school have the isolation block why do the teachers most of the time ignore the child rather than ring to get the kid removed? Is it because the teacher is concerned as being seen that they can't cope? Are they worried about capability proceedings? Dd has been in lessons which have been so chaotic thag a random teacher passing the classroom has come slamming in and screamed at the kids.. But the actual class teacher is sat there.

When I was at school kids may have fucked about like this but they would have been thrown out the classroom and made to stand in the corridor all lesson (no isolation block back then). And if it carried on they'd have been suspended. This doesn't seem to happen anymore? Does it make the school look bad if they suspend kids left, right and centre?

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

It does make schools look bad if lots are suspended - one of the things OFSTED look at.
However, the only major behaviour issue I've had that wasn't dealt with was in a training placement. The girl in question's parents refused to accept any detentions for her. She was well aware of this

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

And if my last post is correct again I am not blaming the teachers! They're between a rock and a hard place. If they were supported by the SMT who again need to be supported by govening body, LEA, government then they could come down hard on kids who arse about, don't pander to parents who bleat about poor darling Billy, etc. Stick them in isolation day after day after day u til they get so bored that they want to come back to class and behave!

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Then the school should have told her and the parents she either accepts the rules, including the schools right to give detentions or she is expelled. But it seems I possible to expel a kid these days.

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

I would never have taken a job at that particular school for a variety of reasons (they wouldn't have wanted me anyway). But yes, I agree. Since qualifying, I have never had that situation arise. Only complaints about the possibility if rearranging detentions.

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

*of

[FannyGlum]

It is very difficult to permanently exclude a child now. The school have to find alternative provision and has to pay for it. It is usually more than the money they get from the government for the child in the first place.

In some schools it can be pounced on as a weakness if you exclude to many kids from your lesson. It could be because they know the security are busy. I once called for help with a violent child and no one turned up, be a use they were already busy chasing other kids. The isolation room was full every day, kids were being booked in weeks ahead. So they downgraded the behaviour needed to get in there.

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

if their school provides informative on each term on how many supply teaching hours are contracted. Or is this something hidden.
Hidden.
And the kids won't think to tell their parents unless the parents ask and parents won't ask because the have no idea it happens.
In the schools I go to regularly I have a reputation among kids and staff that I will apply the behaviour policy, and they will be removed for behaviour that disrupts the learning of others. Sometimes they complain 'you are supposed to give me a warning first' , but when he is shining a laser pen right in the eye of his neighbour (happening more & more now) tough, complain to the Head/our mum if you like, you're outta here! I also always record everything on the school database. But I know that some perm teachers are reluctant to do this, as some schools treat it as a macho thing- if you have to call for back-up you must be a less effective teacher. Bullshit! I will call the cavalry when I need to - we're all supposed to be on the same side... And as a supply teacher I have no performance reviews or promotions to sweat - they can just not book me again if they don't like what I do, but while they are still repeat booking me I will carry on.

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

I think if schools had to keep records of supply staff, and those supply staff were consulted by Ofsted about the reality of the school, a very different picture would emerge of so-called 'outstanding' schools. But Ofsted/the Gvt/Schools all have vested interest in that not being part of the process...

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Downgrading the behaviour needed to get into isolation is a shitty decision. Expanding isolation would have been better. It should hopefully only be needed short term. I guess it's easy for me to say, maybe they don't physically have the space.....but I dunno....think outside the box, use the gym, have them in corridors. Zero tolerance. It seems the teachers don't have the support.

[guerre]

DfE have made it almost impossible to peanently exclude children, except for offences such as drug possession, it weapon possession.

Yes, there are many difficulties in the education system at present, but your comments about SEN are unforgivable. My DD has HF ASD, and has no academic weakness, far from it, she's one of the most academically able pupils theyve ever had. She has many emotional and social needs though.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I'm sure the DofE have because they're cunts.

Crazy girl in dds school bought kitchen scissors into school with her frequently and used to sit in class muttering that she was going to stab people. I told dd to tell HoY and she did. HoY sent the swat team in and scissors were confiscated. Girl is still at school, dd reckons she didn't even get a detention.

[AugustaFinkNottle]

But it seems impossible to expel a kid these days

On the contrary, it has become easier since the rules on appeals were changed. The statistics for 2013-14, which seem to be the latest available, show that there were 26 permanent exclusions per day that year, and 1420 fixed period exclusions per day.

And contrary to what FannyGlum says, if a child is permanently excluded it is the responsibility of the local authority to arrange full time education for that child, not the excluding school. Which is going to be fun when the only schools available are academies.

[starry0ne]

As a parent I do know teachers who have gone on to do supply due to ridiculous work loads and have sympathy.
My experience of supply is last year my DC and his class mates had a string of supply teachers , Only one was truly dreadful. I see how it happened however it was a very unsettled year for my Ds.

This year my DS has an amazing teacher and fortunately did not see his lack of academic progress as academic weakness. He has now a diagnosis and his accommodations and support mean he is now catching up with his peers at a super speed. I can only thank his teacher... But while you seem to have a real downer on parents..To each parent our child is special. I appreciate there are another 30 odd children in the class whose needs also need to be met but I need my Ds to be where he needs to be.

I do blame the government for the ridiculous work loads. I wish sats were scrapped because I don't want my DS to be taught to pass a test at that age.. It seems Year 6 seems almost dedicated to this. I appreciate GCSE is about learning to pass a test.

As for bullying.. I can say when it happened to my DS it was quickly and effectively dealt with...But so many times I see posts on here and know from experience the bullies seem to be protected..It seems the schools have no power to deal with it.

I personally wish that the government would stop messing about with schools and piling pressure on teachers and pupils but I am not optimistic.

I do wonder why you posted such a goady thread and then go away camping seems like you want to light the fuse and run.

[sallyhasleftthebuilding]

DC school

Regularly hear parents don't support staff -

DD was bullied - other kids parents not informed -

DS - failing to gain any progress - asked that they ring me so I can deal with the issue at home - no calls in 4 years - parent eve last week no improvement - at all in 4 years -

DD2 had to leave the school due to bad behaviour not being dealt with - daily disruption class trashed bad language etc

Teachers should be held accountable - because if they aren't who's fault is it? The bully's parents who don't know? The parent who's child is failing who hasn't been told or the disruptive kid who's parent scouts the care less and so they don't bother involving them????

DD now at high school complains the worse foul language is from the teachers swearing in class - the Instagram pictures of the young female teachers are shocking and the HOU can't be contacted for information I'm asking for 3 emails -

[sallyhasleftthebuilding]

DC school

Regularly hear parents don't support staff -

DD was bullied - other kids parents not informed -

DS - failing to gain any progress - asked that they ring me so I can deal with the issue at home - no calls in 4 years - parent eve last week no improvement - at all in 4 years -

DD2 had to leave the school due to bad behaviour not being dealt with - daily disruption class trashed bad language etc

Teachers should be held accountable - because if they aren't who's fault is it? The bully's parents who don't know?

The parent who's child is failing who hasn't been told or the disruptive kid who's parent scouts the care less and so they don't bother involving them????

DD now at high school complains the worse foul language is from the teachers swearing in class - the Instagram pictures of the young female teachers are shocking and the HOU can't be contacted for information I'm asking for 3 emails -

[Alfieisnoisy]

As a parent you had me nodding in agreement until your comments about SEN. Trust me...until you have a child not coping in school or at home you have little idea.
I met and liked all of my DS's teachers in Y7 but the school was too large for him and his needs really couldn't be met. A Statement of SEN is all very well but how many teachers have time to sit and read through them when they are already overworked?
My son is now in a special school which is much more suitable for his needs.

Met the head of his old Y7 last week and he told me that the targets even for the most able kids are ridiculous.

I have long written to my MP to express my concerns about the crisis in education. Much good it will do me....he is Tory and votes with the Government on virtually everything.

[EvilTwins]

Sally one of the biggest issues IME is parents who believe without question what their teen DC say. The foulest language is from the teachers? The teachers' Instagram pics are practically pornography?

[sallyhasleftthebuilding]

I have seen the pictures - they are past round amongst the boys

The lesson was told to several parents. all with the same story - so yes I believe them!

[DoctorDonnaNoble]

Teachers are allowed a private life. But our social network profiles should be locked down. Have you mentioned this to the school?

[catkind]

I don't blame the teachers so much as the government.
Teachers are required to jump through so many hoops to show they've covered the basics they have no time or scope to extend DC when they need it. DS would be delighted to be allowed to be an independent learner as OP puts it but no he has to demonstrate on 3 separate occasions that he can do basic addition with manipulatives so that his teacher can tick some box. And I'm not allowed to complain he's bored? I did suggest he made up his own sums but he's too obedient, he does what he's told. DN hides murderous maths books under his desk, does he get credit for being an independent an enthusiastic learner do you think? Clue: no, he gets told off.

[catkind]

And of course kids remain badly behaved if they get a succession of supply teachers who would rather quit than tackle their behavioural issues. Though in many cases that's down to management not supporting teachers properly to do so, so probably by some route comes back to the government again.