Staff Room!!!

[ScienceTeacher]

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.

PSHE is becoming more of a 'subject' now though usually taught by teachers of something else.

Hello all. I taught KS3 Design Technology, GCSE Product Design, GCSE Electronics and control and A level Technology. Tried a bit with GNVQ Manufacturing but didn't really like it. My last job was H.O.F of Technology but that was 9 yrs ago. (I had a very prem baby so decided if he didn't die I'd give up work). Now with 2 children and living in Scotland for the last year I am ready to go back to work but find my teaching credentials are NO GOOD HERE!! I have just submitted an application to the Scottish GTC to have my degree and teaching service assessed to see if they will recognise me. All for £55 quid. Not much right of apeal if they say no and another £40 due if they say yes plus another £40 come April. Talk about licence to print money.

Marmaduke... at my school PSHE/Citizenship is taught exclusively by two members of staff! It's now got to be taught and assessed in our school it's a compulsory GCSE!

In our school (c.1000 students) PSHE is taught by 2.5 members of staff. (The 0.5 also does English and Law).

I wouldn't mind teaching PSHE, but it can be a nightmare to cover as students don't always view it as a 'real subject', and think it's just a doss lesson where they can do anything they like - especially for a cover! (They generally watch loads of videos and discuss them.)

PHSE , Fine if taught by specialists, but I hated hated doing it as a form tutor. Really loathed it, and so did everyone else. So much that the whole teaching staff protested. and now it is only Year 7 and 8 form tutors who do it with their classes.

Congrats & Best of luck Cod, I think you either love it or loathe it

Was not 'visited' during the inspection, we are waiting on the report.

Initial complaints were at the lack of 'spirituality' in lessons. Irony was that I did cover it in the lesson on Insulin, but was not inspected.

hello, how have I managed to miss this all week?? I'm doing a weird sort of a job at the mo, running a school based ITT course and teaching about 0.3 equiv in the dept I used to run (MFL) I love teaching but hate the politics of where I am now so am having a re-think...

We have PSHE days at our school where the normal ttable is suspended and groups work on certain themes. All staff are involved although most are not involved witht the actual planning. I have one next week and will be given a ttable for the day - hopefully involving some visiting speakers!

MB - at least its over now - hope you're having a glass of red.

Supply teacher wanders into the staffrom and asks if there is a spare mug. Makes cup of tea and then wonders if anyone is interested in her handover sheets from the days lessons...
I seem to be the only supply teacher filling them in!

I wish a primary version of this exisited! Shouldn't you all be watching Waterloo Road??

MB - phew for you it's all over! Hope the result does justice to the school.

We're waiting for a decision on Tuesday - expecting to hear that 3 schools (including ours) will close Sep 2009 and an Academy to be opened. To exist initially in two of the current school buildings whilst a new one is built.

A bit of a fraught time - to put it mildly. Parents and staff are very worried.

Roisin- thought it was decided? We aren't going to get a choice if they go with the Academy, will only be entitled to W & that will become the new A (ie sink)

Roisin - we have a similar situation with 3 of our local secondaries (not where I work though). Lots of people vvvv worried. What will happen to your jobs if the academy goes ahead - will you have to apply for posts? Good luck & hope you get the right outcome

Spudmasher, can't you start one? That's how this started. You can always come here though After all "we are all in this together"

I used to know someone, who claimed the collective noun for a group of teacher, was a "whinge" or a "moan", eg a whinge of teachers

Don't know him any more.......but we are still a group. Can anyone think of a better name?

Fizzbuzz I wish I could! I only get on here about once a week! Need to look at my time management skills... I get 2 hrs PPA but use it to get my DDs from school then work evenings.......

Buggery bollocks - any ideas for a Year 7 English lesson tomorrow. I only see them once a fortnight (I know I know - shit timetabling) so I forget about them till the night before. Lesson is 50 minutes. It's period 5 tomorrow so get the ideas coming!

Supply Teacher washes mug, dries it and puts it away tidily, then wanders off again thinking 'bugger - nobody wants the damn handover sheets!'

Donk, Read the sheet out to anyone who is near or pin it up on the notice board.

Bet that entertained Y8 for a bit then, not that it would keep them quite, becasue nothing ever does that.

It was my pupils who told me about hairspray/deoderant trick with marker pens. So so keen to help, rushing to the front with their never ending supply of random sprays........

Meanwhile can I ask how snow affects your pupils? A few flakes fell yesterday, and Y10 rush to the window gazing out at it Have they never seen it before?
Causes almost as much trouble as wasp/bee in the room. Had to send an entire Y8 class back into corridor to line up and calm down as one small wasp arrived in room. They were going mad, and me WHO IS ALLERGIC TO WASP STINGS had to control them

TGIF glass of red anyone?

i need help on salary
i was top of scale( no threshold) in 2001

what scale am i on now