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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Are things in schools really so bad?

48 replies

Classof2032 · 14/09/2017 20:01

Article in the Scotsman today was that 'teachers are at breaking point' and we're on the cusp of 40% of teachers walking out.

Is it good old fashioned scaremongering or are things really bad?

OP posts:
OP posts:
LordPercy · 15/09/2017 07:24

In a word, yes. 25 years in the job and I don't know anyone who would stay if they didn't have mortgages and a deep love of the children they are in contact with daily.

My dcs are almost done with education but I despair for grandchildren and future generations of children.

Veterinari · 15/09/2017 07:29

I'm not sure. My cousin qualified a couple of years ago - she loves her job!

Glitterkitten24 · 15/09/2017 07:33

Apparently so, according to the many teachers I know.

I however, am trying to get into teaching- and the number of teacher training places are about to be cut from next year apparently.
Not sure what's going to happen if the number of trainee teachers are slashed.

Littlewhistle · 15/09/2017 21:38

We discussed this in our staffroom yesterday and not one of us would go into teaching if we had our lives over again and every one of us (ranging from age 35-59) would leave if we could find something else that paid as well.

Stupid CfE, badly behaved children getting all the PSA time, parents complaining about absolutely everything and LA that does nothing to protect staff are the contributing factors. I can't wait for retirement, but the goalposts keep getting moved Sad

Anasnake · 15/09/2017 21:39

20 years + in the job and have never seen it so bad - would get out if I could but am mid 40's and can't afford to retrain

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 15/09/2017 21:43

Yet when English teachers complain there's often a cry of 'come to Scotland, it's much better here'??

Maybe things have changed a lot in Scotland in the last couple of years. Just sad times all round in teaching.

Littlewhistle · 15/09/2017 23:01

Standards of behaviour, children's ability to listen and follow instructions and interfering parents have all got a lot worse in the last 5 years

Original poster
Classof2032 · 16/09/2017 10:35

I've noticed that the teachers at DD's school all look exhausted. Is there anything parents can do? Write to MSPs?

OP posts:
Littlewhistle · 16/09/2017 16:22

Not sure what can be done about it Classof 2032. Most parents I know think it's an easy job - short days, all those holidays etc etc

I think the problem is that more and more things are being added to the curriculum and you just can't do eveything properly. Take Outdoor Education for example which seems to be the latest thing. When we said that the weather isn't always suitable, we were told to buy ponchos for the children!! I certainly don't want to be out in the pouring rain catching my death of cold to tick some box Hmm

LindyHemming · 16/09/2017 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Calmanglass · 16/09/2017 20:53

Generally awful. Like the kids mostly but the never-ending bureaucracy just kills it. Ten years ago we didn't use email... anything important was on the notice board or in the pigeon hole that you checked first thing. Now I can get 40odd emails a day ranging from quite important info to 'someone has nicked the coffee pot from the staffroom please return'. Reading these takes time.

The never-ending target setting and tracking is a recent thing too... many times a year... overkill. And time consuming.
Useless meetings where nothing important is discussed. Inset meetings on nonsense so they can say we've had training rather than actually let us get on with things.

It goes on and on.

Celticlassie · 16/09/2017 21:58

I like the kids and the variety but we get FAR more parental emails now than when I started, questioning every decision we make and refusing to accept any criticism of their little darlings.

Also second what a pp said about tracking and target setting - they take up a huge amount of time to little practical purpose.

cdtaylornats · 16/09/2017 23:08

target setting and tracking is a recent thing

In the other world target setting and tracking is virtually continuous and always has been.

Useless meetings where nothing important is discussed.

Been to thousands of those.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 16/09/2017 23:14

Parents questioning every little decision is the main thing that pisses me off.

Or some incredibly tiny teensy sharp word that one child had with another and the parents wanting to involve governors and demand a permanent exclusion.

Or the other way round - their own child being in trouble and them not wanting any member of staff to speak to her as it's not right she is put under any pressure.

Gazillions of great parents of course. Just the very few who bang their drum all day long who make you want to leave.

Littlewhistle · 17/09/2017 12:59

I can imagine starting to hate it if I go through change after change and end up feeling we've come full circle!

A few of us at my school have now seen this about 3 times during our career. Every time something new comes out we are feeling like "Oh here we go again"

I don't know of anyone who would encourage their child to go into teaching. I think they've all seen how cheesed off we are with it and would run a mile at the prospect!

LordPercy · 17/09/2017 14:35

What @Littlewhistle said. I've completely steered my DD away from teaching. I point out that I'm first to school, last home from school and have far more homework than any of them. After a couple of days in my work with me her illusions soon shattered anyway.

LindyHemming · 17/09/2017 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlewhistle · 17/09/2017 18:39

I don't have a bad work-life balance but our HT is constantly going on about us raising attainment whilst giving us less support in the classroom - that's what is getting us down.

She is out around 3 days per week to meetings, courses etc and I think she has lost touch with what is going on in school and is not aware of how unhappy the staff are.

dementedma · 17/09/2017 18:43

standard of education in Scotland has fallen massively over the last decade. almost all teacher friends I have want out. there is a shortage of teachers for most subjects now - two of ds subject choices for 5 th year were cancelled due to not enough staff!

LordPercy · 17/09/2017 18:50

My SMT are ace and I work with them a lot (I'm SfL) however they are under more pressure than anyone. All of us are timetabled in to support ASN pupils who have been enrolled without any additional PSA suppprt attached. We often joke that we're the highest paid PSA's around, however it means that none of us are doing our actual jobs. Our teaching staff cope amazingly well with the ever increasing demands but it's not sustainable.

d270r0 · 17/09/2017 18:52

Our department at school is getting a lot of pressure and almost being ripped to shreds by slt because our results were not amazing this year. They were fine- national average- just not amazing. We worked outselves very hard last year yet its not enough. We just get told its not good enough.
When the school has applied for new teachers recently we have had NO applicants. No one wants to join us. So would serve them right if half of us did just leave. Then they'd have no teachers as they wouldn't be able to replace us. If we just got a bit of recognition of what we have done well, support and encouragement...

Littlewhistle · 17/09/2017 19:07

LordPercy I used to be SfL but came out of it because I was fed up of having most of my timetable taken up with behaviour problems who didn't want to work. It was so frustrating having to give 45 minutes per day to these kids when I knew there were others desperate for that time.

Another thing was being constantly used for class cover as there are apparently no supply staff in our area (although other schools seem to find them).

At least now I know what I will be doing each day when I arrive at school. It's a pity because I loved doing what I'd call proper SfL work Sad

LordPercy · 17/09/2017 19:30

@Littlewhistle I'll be looking for a new post soon, as without completely identifying myself my part time post has turned into a full time post and I want to work part time for many reasons. I am also thinking of moving out of SfL but won't be returning to class teaching either.

susanjc9 · 17/09/2017 23:37

Are the problems mostly in state schools? How are the private schools? My daughter just started private school in Scotland (from the US) and loves it so far. She did say it seems easy and not as much homework as in the US (but it's only been 3 weeks, so maybe that will change). We mainly went private because we weren't sure where we would be living and if we buy a house in a year we didn't want to be limited to a certain catchment area.