Substitute teachers for math

[Margperry]

My DD is now in year 8, since starting high school she has only ever had substitute maths teachers. There is no continuity and the teacher can even swap halfway through a lesson. Her lessons in maths since starting back this term have been "open your iPads and complete the work sheets" no level of teaching whatsoever. I am extremely concerned as maths is a core subject and this is going into a second year of little to no teaching. Anyone in education who could guide me as to where I stand, I don't want to be fobbed off with there is a teacher shortage like last year.

Well the reality is there IS a teacher shortage, especially in Maths.

Whilst I completely understand your concerns, if they have tried to recruit a maths teacher and can’t, it’s really difficult.

That said, the school should be making sure the same kids aren’t being impacted all of the time. So if your DDs class didn’t have a teacher last year, then you would hope it’s their ‘turn’ to have one this year.

You could certainly ask what the long term plan is if they can’t recruit.

If you can afford it use a tutor.
Math teachers are few. Don't expect the school to able to hire.

Yes I agree it’s worth asking what the plan is going forward. It may be that the school is focusing its staff maths teachers on GCSEyears but of course KS3 is crucial as build up to that.

Reality is tho that there is a teacher shortage esp in STEM. A maths graduate has a wide choice of high paying jobs where there is little chance of being sworn at on a daily basis. Sorry to say but sadly dedicated fabulous maths teachers exist )ds2 was lucky enough to have some) but they are a rare beast.

So this is worth looking into.

Many schools are short of maths teachers and will prioritise the teachers for gcse/a level classes.

However most schools will try to make sure that if a class has not had a teacher her one year they do the next year so that the same class is not being hit all the time.

Many schools are also using (especially in year 7 and to some extent in year 8) pre-planned lessons that teachers who are not maths specialists can deliver. At my school I was involved in helping write these for year 7.

So it may be worth emailing the school and pointing out that this is the second year with no maths teacher and could this class please be prioritised for a teachers as they are already behind after a year without a teacher.

However if the school is really short they may have no choice.

In which case I would strongly recommend getting a tutor.

Ideally this but if the budget doesn’t stretch IXL is a good option. It will identify gaps and explain concepts as well as review and test knowledge and understanding.

Well the reality is that there IS a teacher shortage and this is what it looks like.

Could you be a maths teacher? Seriously they are so short I think there should be a national campaign.

The school leadership will be as concerned as parents are about a lack of maths teachers. It is true that there aren’t enough of them and they can’t force maths teachers to work for them. A tutor or supporting online learning at home are the only options that are likely to make a difference to your dd’s maths education.

Perhaps they need a scheme to take graduates for say 3-5 years then let them go with a huge bonus

You know there is a national campaign, and big bonuses to train as a maths teacher?

Presuming you are joking 🙃

Former Maths teacher here, there is a shortage of teachers, especially maths. I spent over 20 years in education, was deemed consistently outstanding as both a classroom practitioner and leader/manager.

If I went back into the classroom I would be earning 50% more than I do now, but I choose not to. Why would anyone want to be doing a job where we are sworn and shouted at or even assaulted and then blamed by parents, whilst being told by society we are lazy and don’t deserve any respect.

This doesn’t help your child, but is why this is happening.

I’d be contacting the head, about this and ask why for a second year your child is without a subject specialist teacher, and if you don’t get a decent answer, go to the school governors, or even the Academy group/Local Authority. You could even go to your MP. Your child deserves better than this.

The problem is that teaching is prioritised to exam groups with minimal resources, it is awful but is the best they can do. You just need to question it so hopefully they do something about it quicker.