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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:
Moomin · 01/03/2008 08:21

It's a tough one isn't it? In me expereience tough, I made ttc number 2 a whole lot harder than it should have been by constantly putting things off 'because I be pregnant by then' (not so much to do with promotion at the time but still fairly big life things). I was living for the chance of getting pg instead of living life the way I should have. As a consequence, I'm fairly sure the stress I put myself under delayed getting pg. When I got pg with dd1 I was already acting HoD, working f/t and busy as hell concentrating on work. It took us 4 months to conceive dd1 (including one early miscarriage). When we were ttc dd2 I was working p/t, on responsibility points for other stuff by then but it took me 2 years to conceive! It was a very stressful time fr all involved, with dh ready to give up trying on several occasions.

What I'm trying to say is you should do what's best for you right now. If you feel motivated about work and excited at the prospect of promotion, then go for it and carry on ttc. If you get the promotion and then get pg, it's the school's headache really. They will just have to build a year's break (in effect) for you into the scheme of things. If you feel that you should be going for promotion but in your heart of hearts you really want to out ttc first, then forget the promotion for now, maybe. Remember as well that within a few years you may well want baby number 2, so think about how that might affect things.

I have colleagues that have returned f/t to teaching and posts of responsibility after baby number 1, and it's hard for them. Yes, they cope but teaching is fairly relentless so you need to be prepared for that. I also have colleagues who have returned p/t and gradually built up their hours over a number of years. Like I said in my earlier post, it's taken me 5-6 years to get really switched on and motivated about work enough to increase my hours. We have been really skint since dd2 was born, and that's improving now, but it was a sacrifice we decided to make at the time; it just felt right. and fwiw, I don't think you ought to make any huge decisions about p/t, f/t and juggling childcare etc until you have the baby. Whatever you carefully plan for before and during pregnancy has a habit of turning on its head once the baby shows up!

juanitad · 01/03/2008 10:53

Thanks moomin, some v good advice there. Think you are right about not planning too much in advance!

Nymphadora · 07/03/2008 16:46

Happy Friday everyone!

Had an interesting afternoon today, we had a joint performance with our school at local MS secondary. I shared 3 boys with ASD with another TA and we both have come back covered in bruises , I have a swollen lip and she has hurt her shoulder because they took it in turns to kick off. Before anyone jumps on us for the 'why did you bother' they DID REALLY ENJOY their bits and some of the bits in between , just not the waiting!(and in 1 case the trip back to school!)

alfiesbabe · 07/03/2008 21:21

ooh nymph, hope you're downing a few glasses of wine tonight - sounds like you deserve it. I think TAs who support ASD kids are amazing - it requires a huge amount of patience and tolerance.

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 09/03/2008 13:22

We have our big production this week, and I am about to go into work to help out at the final rehearsal. At our first dress rehearsal last week, we were four costumes short, so I am taking my sewing machine with me, and I will sit and sew while supervising the cast. Hopefully, someone has all ready cut everything out, or we will be stuffed.

OP posts:
Whizzz · 12/03/2008 16:46

ARGH just want to yell at the cover teachers who get paid to TEACH COVER classes & all they do is read out an instruction & then sit down and read a book, leaving the TA (me!) to run round the class explaining everything to everyone and teaching re-explaining things they don't understand. GRRRR

roisin · 12/03/2008 19:23

I know Whizzz. Some cover teachers are so rubbish and lazy and disinterested. I get teachers at school begging me (Cover Supervisor) to agree do their classes when they're off, rather than a supply teacher who gets paid 3x as much as me

Nymphadora · 12/03/2008 20:30

Our school prefers TAs covering as the teachers don't 'get' the kids and we have to explain every detail and routine. If we have a TA supply & regular TA taking charge it runs much smoother.

chocolateshoes · 12/03/2008 20:42

Hi Juanitad. I'm also an MFL teacher - in a large comp in North lancs. I returned to work for the rest of the school year (11 weeks) after having my DS. It was the worst 11 wks of my life & I found it exrememly difficult. I now work pt and do feel that I have the best of both worlds although at times school can so easily take over. I don't want to increase my hours any more now til DS starts school. However, a good friens of mine was Head of History, and has now had 2 kids & is back full time HOD again. She says she needs the challenge of her job and feels she is a better Mum tha she would be if she were at home all the time. What I'm trying to say is tht you just don't know how you are going to feel until you have that baby.

Good luck!

Whizzz · 13/03/2008 14:42

Nymphadora - I must point out we do have to cover classes on our own too

kritur · 15/03/2008 07:47

I teach A-level and GCSE chemistry, GCSE science and applied science and a tiny bit of KS3 science. I also work as a consultant for Manchester University Physical Sciences. Full time, large co-ed bog standard comp in a deprived area.

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 15/03/2008 07:52

Welcome to the staff room, kritur

OP posts:
Nymphadora · 15/03/2008 14:58

Whizz- yeah I get that just am speaking from SN side

Elkat · 17/03/2008 17:09

Can I say Hello too? I teach 'A' levels at a large FE college.

Just noticed scary teacher wants to do an MA - is that in RE? What's the course like? I have got my MA in education, but now fancy doing one in Philosophy. I did fancy the one at Heythrop, but its too far for me to travel... so now thinking I might try to do something distance learning?

And in answer to your question, I didn't find my MA too difficult - but not sure if that was because the institution or the subject was perhaps less academic than my first degree.

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 03/04/2008 18:21

/dusting cobwebs

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 04/04/2008 21:25

...and trying not to think about Monday

scaryteacher · 05/04/2008 00:21

Elkat - sorry, I've just noticed your post. I'm in Brussels so Heythrop is out for me as well, much as I would like to be taught by Mr Vardy.

I've found a completely distance learning MA in World Religions from Lampeter (Uni of Wales) that I can do over 3 years, and the cost isn't extortionate. The modules look interesting, especially the ethics, which would help with A level teaching, should I ever teach again, and there are some Judaism modules as well, which look fascinating.

roisin · 05/04/2008 01:05

Snap Fizzbuzz. We've had such a fantastic Easter holidays: I love being at home with the children. They're 8 and 10 now, so hardly need me any more; but I love spending time together as a family.

Almost makes me want to jack in the whole work thing altogether and do Home Ed

Original poster
ScienceTeacher · 05/04/2008 12:22

I have one more week of holidays, having already had 2. I've been off with just my boys, and they go back to school on Thursday. My girls are off now, so we will have 3 days as a whole family (DH is taking off too).

It's been lovely to be off when everything isn't super busy.

OP posts:
omy · 06/04/2008 14:18

Hi all! Just found you. Love the messageboard idea - thanks MB!

I am a music teacher currently enjoying maternity leave with my delicious little 2 month old girl.
Also have 2 big girls - 16 and 11!

Planning to go back to work at the end of July - teach only A level and feel like I have abandoned my students mid year - though really loving being off work I know I would go mad with boredom if it was for too long...

crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 15:23

Hello! i like this thread, there are friendly staff rooms out there lol!

I am an english teacher- NQT (I trained primary and got first post in secondary, really glad, not regretting it but it has been tough! feel like i'm learning all over again!)

dramaqueen · 06/04/2008 15:35

crunchynutter, I am also a primary trained NQT who is doing her first post in secondary. I know exactly what you mean about feeling like you are learning all over again. I teach Business Studies, mainly at A level.

crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 16:16

Aha! thank god i'm not alone! Do you ever feel the need to ask questions that you know will make you sound dumb? lol! we'll get through it somehow! I hope you're enjoying your first year- bet Sixth form are quite nice- i wouldn't know though!

crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 16:21

has anyone else had a bad holiday? I've been ill for most of it, antibiotics, blood tests (silly woman has manages to cause me a burger (?) sized bruise on my arm) and weve been decorating so had ppl in and out the house, lots of mess etc and as a result i have done no school work and am very tired!! (gosh- its guna be a long term!)

dramaqueen · 06/04/2008 16:24

I do ask dumb questions but they have got used to me by now. I am covering maternity leave for another teacher so I don't know if they need me next year. I am not that bothered actually, as have other stuff I can do if this doesn't come off.

Crunchy I think the summer term is easier as the weather gets better - well it is for me anyway. Also my Yr13s go on study leave at the end of May.

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