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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:
crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 16:40

I'm glad you're not worried about the job (maernity leave/staying going!)somebody i started with is in the same position but i really want her to stay! At least you're sorted. I am generally more cheerful in summer- hope you're right! Got stress of SATS and yr 10doing early exams though and i have got really bad classes :-( they are known as bad classes but they will still be my first results and i don't expect them to be good. Ahh well, what can you do!

Lucycat · 06/04/2008 16:41

Hello crunchynutter! well done on getting through 2 terms of your NQT year!

back tomorrow - GCSE Coursework moderation. I don't work Mondays but I'm still going in for the Inset day - do you think 'anyone important' will notice me? nah thought not.

How long till Whit?

oh yeh 7 weeks

Whizzz · 06/04/2008 16:46

Does anyone know what with the NUT strike, what happens if you are a TA in Unison but get asked to cover a striking teachers lesson (or I suppose a teacher in another union)???
Not heard anything from school yet as to what is happening

Lucycat · 06/04/2008 16:48

I know that teachers are not allowed by law to cover a striking teacher's class, but I'm not sure about TAs. whether their contract is the same?

We have about 60% of our staff in the NUT so that should be a fun day!

Whizzz · 06/04/2008 16:51

ha ha - the majority of the TAs in our school haven't even got a contract, but that's another story!!

crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 17:16

Hi lucycat! sorry for late reply i was hoovering- yep still no marking/planning been done! Thank you, i am very proud of myself for getting through two whole terms (3 before me only managed one each!) lol we have training day tomorrow too- i'm hoping to find out if school we be closed or not for the strike- 7 weeks though, i'm hoping it is! hands up who wants a duvet day!

fizzbuzz · 06/04/2008 17:22

Yes, a veeeeeeeeery long term

crunchynutter · 06/04/2008 17:23

well i'm glad we have our own lil staffroom to come to and have a moan when we have had enough (come about week two...)

dramaqueen · 06/04/2008 18:51

We have just started our 2 weeks easter holidays here, so have only 5 weeks teaching until half term. The last 2 weeks have been a real slog, though.

Elkat · 06/04/2008 20:37

I've just started my Easter break too. Though I am a bit worried about just how much work i have got to get through before the students leave (I teach FE).

Scaryteacher - thanks for the details about the MA. After reading your post, I decided to sign up for one too. I'm doing my application now and hope to start in Oct. My specialism is philosophy tho.

crunchynutter · 07/04/2008 19:27

those lucky people who were back at work today- hope all went well! God, isn't it hard trying to get back into it lol

happilyconfused · 07/04/2008 21:37

Oh joy! Just spent the day marking A level scripts. Red pen went into overdrive - typical howlers included which/witch, their/there and where/were. As for capital letters .....

Blandmum · 07/04/2008 21:38

I have 17 bits of AS course work to mark......

happilyconfused · 07/04/2008 22:14

I have the grand total of 12 A2, 10AS and 22 GCSE.

At least the BTEC stuff is up to date. At this time of year I like BTEC students, they don't seem as stuck up as some of the A level students who can have rather grandiose opinions of themselves and their abilities.

fizzbuzz · 08/04/2008 18:56

I've just marked 42 GCSE projects, now gearing up for A Level

Nymphadora · 08/04/2008 19:11

Soooooooo hard going back to work. Have been ill over hols (still not really better from last illness really) and am knackered now so who knows what I will be like by the end of MAy!

I am also organising staff night out for Sat and NEVER again, turned into Pita chasing people up all the time.

I have my HLTA assessment next Monday and still have work to finish for that and will be in a flap by then. And no idea what I am doing in Sept yet, if I stay where I am I have asked for a floating role (odd days in different classes) and an extra day a week. Which will be getting organised soon BUT am hoping to leave and just waiting for jobs to come up!

redwino · 08/04/2008 19:30

Just found this thread. I'm a TA in a village primary. Just started back after Easter break. Seven weeks to get through now.
I have a question about appraisals for TA's. I have never had one in 4 1/2 years and neither have any of my colleagues (except teachers) Is this normal?

roisin · 08/04/2008 21:07

In our school all staff (including all support staff) have two 'performance management reviews' (i.e. appraisals) every year.

Whizzz · 08/04/2008 21:09

I'm a TA in secondary (one year into job). I have had 1 but to be honest it didn't serve any purpose at all & was just a (badly designed) paper exercise

Elasticwoman · 08/04/2008 21:18

I am supply teaching primary and secondary, and also have some regular supply work teaching in a school for Plymouth Brethren. I'm confident they won't read anything I say about them on here, because they regard the Internet as the work of the devil. They don't have tv, radio, recorded music, and discourage tertiary education for their children. All the girls have long hair and none of their women ever wear trousers, so I am required to wear a skirt to school.

Nymphadora · 09/04/2008 19:49

We don't have any appraisals, the excuse/reason being that there is 40 of us and only 8 teachers or 3 SMT to do it

redwino · 10/04/2008 19:44

Elasticwoman - we have lots of Plymouth Brethren in our school. They are not allowed to eat in front of the other children. Do use computers and watch videos if part of curriculum though. They are all, withour exception, really lovely children.

Lucycat · 11/04/2008 16:51

Happy Friday everybody!

blimey that was a long week and there was an INSET day on Monday!

only 6 more to half term and at least my year 9 were all industrious and motivated when the Head 'popped in' period 5!

I need another cup of tea.

Nymphadora · 11/04/2008 17:46

Very loooong week.

My kids school has been OFTEDed this week and dd1 has said inspectors were in loads of her lessons, doesn't sound too good for them, loads of stuff was getting checked on and most of the parents I spoke to had slated the head on the questionnaire.

roisin · 12/04/2008 09:50

Oh crikey Nymphadora, that sounds worrying!
The boys primary (NB) had their Ofsted report published this week: Outstanding overall, Outstanding in every section, and Outstanding in every subsection except one!
Dh is Chair of Govs, so obviously we are delighted.

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