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!

mini
The MADS scheme and others for Art and sport, before this you could only obtain specialist education if you were rich.
She didn't do it for the good of children though, there is evidence of rothschild,throughout the organisations and institutions who benefit.

I do believe as others have said, that even though the teacher crisis has nothing to do with private schools, but certainly to the teachers.
I also believe that the differences in policies, procedures are a reason why teachers in state schools are disillusioned.

As a state school teacher, I don't spend time comparing my job to that of indecent school teachers. I have no desire to teach in an independent school. My DTDs did a holiday club last week, 4 days of rehearsing leading up to a performance in the peforming arts centre at a famous independent school in our town. I went to watch the show in the purpose build mini version of The Swan Theatre drama facility, and didn't think "ooo, I want to work here". It actually disgusted me. There are a number of private schools in our area. None of them share their facilities. I am sure that the drama group who ran the club paid a fortune for use of the theatre. Another private school in the town has a nice theatre and lets other schools hire it, though it is, IMO, prohibitively expensive for most.

I have to make do with a school hall - also used for exams, assemblies and meetings. I wouldn't swap though.

" I went to watch the show in the purpose build mini version of The Swan Theatre drama facility, and didn't think "ooo, I want to work here". It actually disgusted me. There are a number of private schools in our area. None of them share their facilities"

The magnificently well equipped private school near me allows the plebs state school children in for a day to marvel at their beautiful playing fields, cricket pitches, floodlit tennis courts, Olympic sized swimming pool. Just for a day mind, so they can see how the other half lives. Then they can feck off back to their concrete playgrounds.

There is another hugely well equipped private secondary school nearby, which is 500 yards away from a comprehensive which has no library. A large secondary school with no library.

Yes, it is utterly disgusting.

Another of the private schools nearby has a full time wardrobe mistress on their staff, whose job it is to help sort out costumes for school productions/house plays/GCSE and A Level pieces. They hired (yes hired, not lent) costumes to us for our production of Les Mis a few years ago. I really don't think a school which can afford a full time costume mistress needs the extra cash

I worked at one for 18months. It saved me after a hideous experience at one school, but I couldn't stay there. I didn't fit in with the gowns in assembly, founders day and other pomp. I constantly felt out of place. And I don't believe in them ethically.

No a good idea to lend stuff free of charge - not only leads to endless demands from others, but people don't value stuff unless there is a charge. Also there is the time taken to administer, organise, chase up lost for damaged stuff - unreasonable to expect free of charge.
If they had lent it FOC, doubt very much you would be saying how great they are to help you out - more likely - a grudging, 'they can afford it..'
A local school gets FOC booster sessions from a nearby indie for A pupils to help them get to A*.
The HT is openly contemptuous of the indie, and gloated openly that her kids were getting stuff that the other school's parents' paid for.
She completely missed the irony of the fact that if the kids di get A*s she could hardly then claim it was down to the teaching from her own staff... But she is hardly a woman strong on logic.

Other comps in my area lend stuff free of charge, and so do I. Costumes, props etc (I am drama) I am not contemptuous, I am grateful. It builds relationships. Perhaps a case of not having much, but what we do have, we are happy to share. Given the cost of putting on school productions, getting something for free makes a big difference.

"State and independent schools can learn from each other and it's good to build relationships between each sector"

I just can't come to terms with the basic hideous unfairness of it all. Take a group of clever, well supported children who already have more than all the rest, and spend literally twice as much on their education as you do on a group of poorer, often less able, less well supported children.

Imagine trying to justify this state of affairs to a child?

It's ethically unsupportable, and if you pay into it you're guilty of helping perpetuate a profoundly unjust system.

I'm with mini. The facilities available at some independent schools within 5 miles of the state school I teach in are unbelievable. It is simply unfair.

" mini I've seen it work excellent in my area"

Yes - some tasty crumbs are thrown from the table.

But they are crumbs.

"I just can't see how anyone can think its unfair"

what, that the most able, best supported and socially advantaged children get twice as much spent on their education than poorer and less able children?

Allan Bennett's words:

"Private education is not only unfair, according to the playwright: he also suggested it was "not Christian either". "Souls, after all, are equal in the sight of God and thus deserving of what these days is called a level playing field. This is certainly not the case in education and never has been, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't go on trying. Isn't it time we made a proper start?" he asked."

All children deserve an equal chance to compete for the prizes of the best university places and the most desirable jobs. Private schools make sure this can't happen.

They are not the whole problem but they're a big part of it.

Of course you can't see why it isn't unfair, Dreamgirls... You're getting the advantages.

I teach drama. I teach exceptionally talented children. Not loads of them, otherwise they would not be "exceptional" but there are 3 who I've watched grow and develop and turn from enthusiastic kids into young performers with every right to be the next decade's Olivier Award winners. How is it fair that they don't get access to the same facilities and opportunities as kids who go to the school 5 miles down the road bevsuse their parents don't have the cash? I feel very strongly about it.

Auditioning for things like National Youth Theatre ends up costing £80-£100 - and that's just to audition. Auditioning for drama courses after 6th form is ludicrously expensive. My talented kids get one shot a year at being in a large scale production - we have to fit in around exams as we share the same space. Performing rights cost £600-£1000. Independent schools put on school plays/house play etc - money doesn't come into it.

I'm being specific because this is my subject area but anyone who thinks it is fair is joining David Cameron with their heads in the sand.

"but private education was a life saver for my dd maybe thats why I don't see an issue with them"

Really?

'Fairness' is always subjective depending on your viewpoint and utterly pointless to debate.
Having said that what I find most unfair is that a small number of kids in a class can disrupt the learning of the majority and make for a miserable school experience. I would like to see them taken out of the classes, and sent out to work - or do nothing - elsewhere so they mess up only their own life chances and not those of the majority.
Let their parents take responsibility for them during the day, and lay on optional evening classes for them in English and Maths, until they can demonstrate that they can sit and listen and work. ( And charge the parents a nominal fee for that)
Being in school with your mates, and the social aspects should be seen as privileges to be earned rather than a 'right'.
Perhaps if the parents were inconvenienced - which they are not with detentions which keep their annoying kids out of their hair for even longer - they might wake up to their responsibilities as parents. If they bleat that they can't control their kids then they should have compulsory parenting classes.

"Having said that grin what I find most unfair is that a small number of kids in a class can disrupt the learning of the majority and make for a miserable school experience. I would like to see them taken out of the classes, and sent out to work - or do nothing - elsewhere so they mess up only their own life chances and not those of the majority"

Fantastic idea.

Not.

Given that disproportionately these children have emotional, social and learning difficulties (the latter often undiagnosed and untreated) this will improve society no end to have these children thrown to the wolves!

And how you can say that a system of education where privileged children get twice as much spent on their education than everyone else is only 'subjectively' unfair...

Here: I have a big bag of apples. I'm going to give little Harry and Amelia 5 each, because their parents are well off. Little Jaspal, Connor and Darcy will get two each, because their parents are poor. It doesn't matter that Jaspal, Sheniz, Connor and Darcy have more need of apples, because they get less fruit at home, whereas Harry and Amelia get spoon fed organic blueberries every day for breakfast.

To try to redress the balance (and because the government gives me more fruit for rich children if I comply), I allow Darcy to join the group who has five apples. Darcy loves fruit. Her single parent mum is a vegetarian and Darcy is getting her 5 a day at home already and consequently bursting with health. She fits in well with the other fruit loving children.

Does that simple analogy help?

Dream - you are the most unbelievable narcissist if you think your dd's poor treatment in the state sector justifies an educational system mired in structural inequality.

minifingerz, I can't believe you calling Dreamgirls234 "the most unbelievable narcissist" after reading her post.

Dreamgirls234, I am so happy to hear that your dd is happy at new school.

Perhaps someone should remind us that the topic of this thread is "teacher crisis"