Fourth teacher since Sept. should I ask school what's going on?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Dd's science teacher went off sick before the summer holidays last year. So they had supply teachers that last term as well.

She's had four supply teachers since Sept all have left for various reasons. One to work in a childrens home, one for another job, one decided they didn't want to do supply any more.

I'm a bit worried that they're getting no continuity. Is it worth contacting the school and asking what's going on? Part of me thinks there's no point as they're just going to say something along the lines of "yes, we're sorry, we hope the next one stays. But we can't make them and as we don't know if/when the teachers coming back there's nothing we can do".

I had this problem when I was in school. (I'm 21)

we had endless supply teachers all year for a subject then 2 weeks before exams we had to have extra classes with the head of department to catch up as it had been so disjointed.

I say to them about your concerns.

That's what happens with supply teachers. They are temporary...

I know they're temporary but when they needed long term supply teachers at primary school they seemed to be able to find long term ones, ie ones that stayed for a term or more. An average of two weeks doesn't seem great.

Sadly, supply primary is much easier to get and keep hold of than secondary, especially in a subject like Science.

I think it is particularly hard to recruit science teachers. 2 weeks is particularly rubbish, fingers crossed the next one stays longer!

You could contact the school and express your concern and ask what the long term plan is?

One of them wasn't even a science teacher. He left for a job in his own subject. I just have a sad feeling that me been concerned wont make any difference.

Well it probably won't make a difference, but at least you will have voiced your concern!

What year group is it - if 7 or 8 not as much of an issue as GCSE years - you could ask for her to be moved class?

Presumably this isn't an exam class? I hope the school has prioritized the exam classes so that they are taught by the permanent specialists.

Yes I would contact the school. It will remind the HOD/HOS that students are getting a raw deal.

In the meantime ask for copies of the scheme of work and get some CGP books so DD can do some self study at home in the subject.

Yes it's "only" year 8.

Just sad for dd as it it/was her favourite subject and she's bored and fed up with it now. Good idea about getting some books for her, thanks.

My dd had a bit of this in Y9. A science teacher was on long term sick. They had 3 supply teachers before they got one in January who stayed for the rest of the year. The school were (understandably) prioritising GCSC and A level students and Y7s making the transiation from primary, so the poor Y8 and Y9s were lumbered.

My dd wasn't making the expected progress in science and I voiced my concerns at progress review day.

Viva, DD had crappy science teachers in Y7/8 and hated it, but the school had a big clear-out and in Y9 she had fantastic teachers and she loves science now - in Y10, predicted good grades. So it can be turned around - fingers crossed!

I know of at least one parent who complained, it is definitely worth making your concerns known. And it goes to show how important a good teacher is to make a world of difference. GOVE, ARE YOU LISTENING?

I would raise your concerns with the school. Even if the school cant recruit a long-term supply teacher the head of department should be made aware if you have concerns over quality of teaching. It may 'only' be year 8 but there is plenty of foundation work being done.

You do have to be concerned about lack of supervision and also poor feedback to students if there is a high turnover of staff.

mention it to school. It used to be that schools could not get good maths and physics teachers but that is extending to other areas as well. Try finding a good English teacher that is our big problem along with good business studies teachers.

Far too many goodies leaving the profession and not enough goodies entering at secondary level. The school doesn't want to take the best applicant out of an inadequate pool.