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Please can I have a moan about expectations about school clubs?

104 replies

TheGruffalo2 · 10/05/2014 08:59

After school clubs and activities does not automatically mean high quality teaching and learning; it means knackered teachers after they've taught clubs until 4.30/5pm, then have to clear up their classroom, mark, plan, etc. Or teachers that don't eat lunch and have a disorganised classroom for the afternoon session.

Sorry - being a bit ranting as we've had a spate of parents complaining we don't run enough clubs, so we are a crap school. Every night, except staff meeting nights, there are at least three clubs running and every lunchtime at least two, all staffed by teachers working unpaid. We have a spread of types, so not all sports clubs. We have a spread sheet to ensure we have a reasonable number for each year group, rather than just the older children.

But apparently we are lazy teachers, have poor standards of teaching(despite above national standards of attainment and progress) and (most hurtfully) don't care about the children.

We are doing the best we can; we can't change the gymnastics club to the night X wants as the hall is already being used for a dance club; we can't run a free Chinese club if no staff have that language skill; we can't run a club on Wednesdays to suit your childcare as we all have to attend the staff meeting; and most amusingly, we can't run a swimming club if we don't have a swimming pool.

Sorry, rant over (triggered by just opening another work email from a parent about it saying they were making an appointment to see the HT to complain that my cookery club is ending at half term so I can lead a different gardening one - we usually run clubs on a half termly rotation so we can give variety). I am really annoyed by the assumption of a large number of very vocal parents that a variety of clubs, staffed by teachers equates to outstanding teaching and learning.

Now breathe, Gruffalo, and return to your report writing!

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rollonthesummer · 12/05/2014 10:30

It really pisses me off when parents are late to collect from clubs. My current club finishes at 4.30 but some parents saunter up just before 5 with no apology! One of these mothers would be the first to complain if the books weren't marked though! I would love not to run one, but it's very much expected and would be questioned and probably held against us at our PMRs!

hiccupgirl · 12/05/2014 10:31

I love the concept that teachers 'volunteer' to run clubs in their free time. In my last school we were informed by the HT that everyone was expected to run at least 1 club a week and it would be used in your performance management. Hardly a voluntary situation!

I died generally though have lovely parents who picked their kids up on time and said thanks.

MuddlingMackem · 12/05/2014 18:43

Our DC's school run loads of after school and lunchtime clubs, for free, with the only ones charging being the cookery club (charge for ingredients) and the swimming club (at least until recently when the school received funding for it).

Having spoken to parents of children at other local schools where the clubs cost at least £2 per child I am very grateful for what the teachers at our school provide for the benefit of their pupils. I have no idea whether it's genuinely voluntary or an expectation from the HT, but either way, it's much appreciated by most parents and by the children who get places.

Last school year our school got so sick of parents being late to collect that they issued a warning that being late to collect would mean their child losing their place in the club. I think things have improved considerably since then.

polster1 · 12/05/2014 22:22

I'm really surprised by the amount of teachers posting that running a club is expected of them and part of their performance related pay. Occasionally at my school teachers have offered to run clubs but there is no expectation of this, in fact the opposite. The main wish is consistently good marking and planning for the next day along with a work/life balance. Performance related pay is only linked to average point score and reviewed in a series of pupil progress meetings. I work part time and have staff meeting, slt meeting and occasionally team meetings I certainly would have no time for a club. The school doesn't offer many clubs as we have a lack of space but they are generally run by TAs with specialities and they are paid to run them.

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