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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Staff Room!!!

465 replies

ScienceTeacher · 27/01/2008 14:42

It was suggested on another thread that we should have a staff room, so I thought I'd bite the bullet and start one.

Shall we introduce ourselves?

I teach Science (Physics A-level and GCSE Chemistry plus the usual general science in KS3, and also KS3 Geography). I work in a small girls' independent school. I started this job in September having spent two years in contract and supply. This was a getting back to teaching after an 8-year maternity leave.

I am a mum to five children from 16 (gcse!) TO 5.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 17/02/2008 10:07

That's not right, Whizz

BTW, re pay - as a supply teacher I got £21 an hour (this included holiday pay though) for a 6.25 hour day, and I think CSs were on about half of that.

OP posts:
Whizzz · 17/02/2008 10:32

I know. It's the only bit of the job I don't like. I'm not too bad that in that my previous job I did a lot of training of people, so at least I do have experience in standing up and talking to people - but that's not the point really.

Nymphadora · 17/02/2008 16:25

Whizz- CS here are the equivilant of level 3 , I work as STA (level 3) and have been looking at CS jobs and they are on same rate as me although I get SEN allowance so actually works out more. Although I guess they are at least trained (ask Roisin though on that!) In my school PPA cover is done by PTAs (level 5 ) although other cover can be done by STA taking charge and another TA coming in (IYSWIM)

happilyconfused · 20/02/2008 12:16

My half term is this week. As kiddywinks were swimming this am I managed to complete a SOW for a new unit. Now feeling very smug that I have managed to do some prep work during daylight hours.

figleaf · 20/02/2008 19:41

The General Teaching council for Scotland has written to me today to offer me FULL registration without any probation. I'm so relieved.

Nymphadora · 20/02/2008 19:49

Good news Figleaf.

I was back at work properly this week. Was on last day of HLTA on Mon then PIVATs training, yesterday was first day in new class with new 1:1 who didn't have a good day and fitted a few timesThen I stayed for another hour after school to prep work for him.Had a better day today but then had a staff meeting so not home til 6. Tomorrow have a meeting with OT at 3 the TA meeting 4.30-6. This is turning into a long week.

I am supposed to working on HLTA now but am totally wiped

Nymphadora · 24/02/2008 21:48

Quiet this week, how is everyone?

SparklyPrincess · 25/02/2008 14:07

Hi, have recently joined mumsnet and just found this so thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm on a childcare break at the moment, have 2 1/2 year old and nearly 1 year old girls. I used to teach science with a specialism in physics, including a-level.

I'm not intending to go back to work in the next year or so, can't imagine how I'm going to be able to organise myself. Can't decide what the best approach would be. Maybe do supply for a while, but as I always hated doing cover, not sure!

I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing as I feel ridiculously out of the loop. I finished working in July 2005 and there have been so many changes to the science curricula since then, and even the pay scales! I've also recently moved areas so I can't even go back to the comfort blanket of my old school. Never thought I'd want to go back there!

SP xx

Donk · 25/02/2008 21:06

SP - there are courses for teachers to 'return to teaching' organised by the training and development agency.
They are free.
Details here
I am in the process of signing up for one for the summer term.

scaryteacher · 26/02/2008 09:41

I am not teaching at the moment as we moved abroad and I haven't got myself in gear to do supply yet; but I was considering doing a taught masters from Lampeter, which is all by distance learning. It fits in with my specialisation and is aimed at teachers who don't have time to study full time. I am nervous however about essay writing again (haven't done that for 8 years), and doing a dissy and my ability to actually study to masters level, or is it less difficult than I think it is?

SparklyPrincess · 26/02/2008 12:14

Donk, thanks for the info - looks like there's some resources that might answer some of my questions.

Not sure about the returners course, a friend of mine did one last summer and didn't find it too useful. I'm not worried about my skills - got through induction only a couple of years ago so although I know I've still got a lot to learn I'm sure I can get back into it!

SP

happilyconfused · 26/02/2008 19:51

Absolute hell - the OFSTED team cometh on Thursday.

So mad panic about who is 'stuck', who has not done any marking for a couple of weeks etc.

scaryteacher · 26/02/2008 21:51

Tick and flick girl!

happilyconfused · 26/02/2008 22:26

I have ticked like mad - everything is up-to-date KS3, KS4 and even KS5! My SOWs are spinky-spanky.

It just some of those little treasurers that MNers ever own up to having that might make life a little tricky. There is always hope that SMT will be able to pull a trick or two out of the bag

hana · 26/02/2008 22:41

any london teachers have their £1000 yet? Chartered London Teacher somethign or other. Those over the threshold can apply, at discretion of the head. It's a one off payment. And it's the same amount even if you are part time need to fill in my forms

scaryteacher · 27/02/2008 07:58

HC we had OFSTED in I think Jan 06, and they didn't look at loads of people/stuff. I taught Hums and they only wanted to see the Head of Area teach, not any of the rest of us, and they didn't come near the RE dept..bargain. It's all supposed be this light touch isn't it, and they look more at the paperwork and the SMT paperwork, than at anything else.

It was funny though how all the kids stopped wearing white trainers for OFSTED week, and then went back to them afterwards!

hana · 28/02/2008 12:25

being ofsteded on monday for 2 days
only 2 days I week grrrr

happilyconfused · 28/02/2008 12:41

Bloody Hell!!!!!!! Inspector walked into a French lesson and the teacher did not have a lesson plan. Inspector was there for three minutes and left when he could not have the plan. Hells bells .... it just reflects badly on the rest of us - SMT absolutley furious - seems as though OFSTED are now actively seeking out anything that might be weak.

Any language teachers - look out for the advert for a vacancy in Sept as I will be trying to run the offender over in the car park.

must dash can not be late for duty today....

juanitad · 28/02/2008 22:00

Hi there,

Not been an MNetter for long, and have just found this thread, so thought I would drop in and say hello. I'm currently HOD of MFL in a farily big comprehensive. No kids as yet - currently TTC so hope I will have soon. I was always really career-minded, had big ambitions to get to the top, but have now started to wonder how that could happen with kids. At the moment, I feel like having kids is more important to me than career, but at the same time I am the main breadwinner and think I would probably need to go back to work full time, so don't know how that would be. Seems like lots of you on here have kids, so what is everyone else's experiences? Obviously, none of this is a reality for me at the moment, as I am TTC #1, but if all goes to plan, these are dilemmas I will have to deal with some time soon, so would be really interested to know how everyone else dealt with the whole work/family thing.

Bye for now

happilyconfused · 29/02/2008 10:02

Lots of military precision planning - have some relatives close by who can help with pick ups and sick days, have a group of friendly mums who may be willing to help (you pay back during holidays etc), have a partner who can take cherubs to school and who can take days off, and be prepared to go private if you really need the extended day.

.... and have a timetable that enables you to escape early a couple of days a week so you can pick up kids from their school and they can have friends for tea.

OFSTED will soon be gone - guess who go an outstanding...

scaryteacher · 29/02/2008 14:41

oooh, well done you....have a large glass of wine tonight.

Moomin · 29/02/2008 14:51

Hi juanitad
Have got very mixed experiences of kids and promotions in teaching, but I'd say you've done things the right way round in some ways - it's easier to maintain a position of responsibility after having children than attain promotion afterwards, unless you've very determined and you work full time, I think.

And it depends on your school and your Head and how they support parents with flexible working. I had a hideous experience with one Head just last year and it made me realise how prejudiced some people can still be against part-timers especially. But that elad me to the job I've got now and the Head couldn;t be more supportive and things are picking up again, in a direction I never would have considered previously, so that's good.

I'd also say take your time and follow your instincts as far as balancing work and babies goes. When I first had dd1 and was trying for dd2 work became much less important and I loved being at home more. Now the dds are 6 and 2 and I really feel like I've got my mojo back, as far as work goes. I'm working harder now than I have for years but really enjoying it. I'm 3 days pw now, increasing to 4 days from Sept and then we'll see what happens. I still think at least one day off a week with a young family is about right for me for now.

Moomin · 29/02/2008 14:52

Hey and WOW happily!!! Bet you feel wonderful now. Well done!

fatzak · 29/02/2008 14:58

Hello Juanitad! I don't post on this thread so often but noticed that you are a MFL teacher( me too!)then nosied on your profile and saw that you are in Yorkshire (me too!)
I'm part time at the moment and have been through the whole family/career angst before finally being happy! It is hard work whatever decision you make, but supportive family and colleagues make all the difference. Once I decide that you don't know me and me old school I can tell you a whole range of horror stories but then tell you all the fab things that my current school do for me!
I have always been determined that I will do as little work at home at the weekends, so i make sure that it is done before I finish for the week. I guess if you decide to keep on some responsibility then it's a different work load altogether, but for me I'm afraid that if something has to give, it will be a pile of marking rather than time with my Dses.

Well done happilyconfused

juanitad · 29/02/2008 18:54

Thanks for the welcomes, it is interesting to hear how other people have managed. I know there might be an opportunity coming up at work soon for a promotion to Assistant Head, but am thinking it would not be the right thing to go for it. I could get pg any time and if they gave me the promotion, then the school wouldn't be getting a very good deal if I went off on maternity leave just a few months after taking the job. Also, the workload would be even bigger, and it would be hard to go back to work and try to balance that with a baby. But then there is always the possibility that TTC could take a long time for me, you just never know. So should I put my life on hold while I wait and see?? I know there are no right or wrong answers. Sometimes I think it would be so much easier being a man - they don't have any of these dilemmas!

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