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Scotsnet

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

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Original poster

Scottish Teacher Chat

20 replies

AuntiePeggy · 14/01/2022 21:11

Anyone interested? Education topic is very Anglo centric. Wonder if there's any interest in a Scottish centric thread. I'm a secondary teacher in social subjects but am a history specialist. Keeping it vague! Paranoia! We're in the middle of prelims. I want actual SQA exams to go ahead but in e a lot of us am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

OP posts:

mummywithtwokidsplusdog · 14/01/2022 21:40

Me! Secondary science :)

Haudyourwheesht · 14/01/2022 21:40

Yes, we're the same. I'm also secondary, English. I'm really hoping for the exams to go ahead but worried they won't. We've not been hit too hard this time re absences but I know others have.

Original poster

AuntiePeggy · 14/01/2022 21:52

We're not too impacted so far either and those that have missed I've been able to chase with materials. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for actual exams.
I'm also recently qualified and older with kids not long out of school do I feel like I can connect.

OP posts:

Lidlfix · 15/01/2022 08:41

Secondary English, since Omicron we have had a significant amount of staff and pupil absences. I can get taken for one period if cover and I am taken every week on the Monday , all my colleagues are the same. Staff absences have been significant since August and we have tied ourselves in knots trying to plan work. We have regular supply in but it doesn't come close. Kids off in every class in every year. We all desperately want exams to go ahead but realise there's no equality and these poor kids are being asked to do what previous years did who hadn't faced all the absences. The announcements this week provided no reassurance just more stress.

Online platforms are blurring the boundary between school and home. My friend was uploading work to Google Classroom from the hospital (not Covid). Kids email us constantly, parents email using kids account. We are teaching to those in front of us and those at home .

It's not sustainable.

Neeko · 15/01/2022 09:56

Secondary English. We are doing ok with absences -so far. Department has taught the same texts with Seniors for the past couple of years so have some excellent resources which are also suitable for home learning. I think that's the only reason I'm still upright.
Really keen for exams to go ahead as last year was horrendous (know we wouldn't have to do the same again this year, but still.)
I'd like there to be some kind of concession made for a pupil who has had an official Covid absence, but I'm not sure how they could work it.
I certainly would expect/hope that our Folios could be centrally marked this session as an absolute minimum.

Haudyourwheesht · 15/01/2022 10:26

The problem with that is that there are always kids off. So why do we give an exemption to those with covid over those who had chickenpox, or a broken leg, or a non covid related bereavement? It's too complicated. Some school were hit badly in the first wave, some now, some had better online provision during online learning than others. Every year some pupils have better teachers than others. Some can afford tutors. Some schools have more supported study than others. There's never been equality.

Neeko · 15/01/2022 15:21

@Haudyourwheesht You are right. Maybe we need extended use of exceptional circumstances that we have every year. I guess each school is best-placed to identify individuals who have had an especially hard time. I know I've had pupils in the past who have been especially unwell or have been bereaved that we've put in evidence from throughout the year for to be taken into account when having their final award issued.

Original poster

AuntiePeggy · 08/03/2022 07:23

I had a look through our SQA support materials last night and I have to ask why they bothered? It's insulting that they think we don't teach our kids how to answer a question. Gutted for them.

OP posts:

Mistressiggi · 08/03/2022 07:57

Not helpful for my subject at all sadly

LoopyGremlin · 09/03/2022 06:37

Absolute waste of time. I could have written my subject’s guide 6 months ago as it’s literally just a rewrite of the general marking instructions. So why did we have to wait until now?

mummywithtwokidsplusdog · 09/03/2022 16:58

The study guides are just ridiculous. Nothing new in them and agree insulting in places. In my subject all content is staying so no real support!

RaraRachael · 10/03/2022 22:42

Place marking but I'm primary.

Haudyourwheesht · 11/03/2022 22:24

I am surprised how many kids are still wearing masks in class. Two weeks since they were made voluntary and I'd say 30% of them are still wearing them. I'm certainly not wearing mine - I've the lippy back on.

LoopyGremlin · 12/03/2022 09:01

That has surprised me too @Haudyourwheesht
Two years of constantly hassling kids to wear their masks and now that they can take them off, most of them have kept them on! I’d say around 60% in my classes are still wearing them.

Adamclaytonisfine · 14/03/2022 19:43

Me! Primary teacher in secondary now - pupil support.

bluebkke · 15/03/2022 10:52

As you are Secondary teachers, do you mind if I ask a question about Highers vs Advanced Highers? My DC just moved to Scotland for S5 so we are still not very au fait with everything. They are currently choosing what they want to do in S6 and has to do either 3 AHs or 2 AHs and 1 Higher. In your opinion, is it harder to do a Higher in a subject you've never studied before (Psychology) or to do an Advanced Higher in a subject you've done all through Secondary (Geography)? DC got an A in the prelim for Higher Geo but is thinking Psychology might be more linked to prospective Uni course (medicine). The other two AHs will be in Chemistry and Biology. They only get one slot with the advisor at school and forgot to ask!

Thanks!

Mistressiggi · 16/03/2022 18:26

I was going to comment on your post until I saw that he wants to do medicine - they are really fussy on entry requirements aren't they, I think you need to seek advice from admissions office at a couple as it isn't just what Is easiest for him, it's what is going to make him most attractive for the course

Lidlfix · 17/03/2022 17:27

Most medicine applicants where I teach do 3 (sometimes 4) AHs . The competition is so intense.

mummywithtwokidsplusdog · 18/03/2022 18:24

I agree- 3 advanced Highers if applying for medicine…. With 5As from S5.

bluebkke · 26/03/2022 01:33

Thanks for the advice. Part of my concern was I watched an online video with the Admissions Dept for Medicine at Edinburgh Uni and they were asked what one piece of advice they'd give students before applying, and said not to overstretch yourself in S6 by doing more Advanced Highers than you need, which is two. She also said that it 100% does not matter which subjects you do in AH - you only need H Biology and Chemistry. But then everything you read in forums such as this one seems to contradict that! Anyway, my DC has now chosen and will do 3 AHs, including Biology and Chemistry.

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