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Original poster

tough young teachers

130 replies

theladyrainy · 10/01/2014 20:53

I watched this tonight on the i-player. Even my 12 year old was wincing.

6 weeks training and then send graduates into schools to take classes, including Y10/11 pupils who are studying for their GCSE's.

Not a channel 5 reality TV idea...this actually happens.

OP posts:
pigletmania · 31/01/2014 23:59

I feel that they are just throwing newly qualified teachers at the deep end with very little support or actual classroom training, influencing young peoples lives. All new qualified teachers should start out as trainee teachers at first fir two years, and should take on a more TA role to get the feel of it, and building up more responsibility as they near the end of the 2 years.

DalmationDots · 01/02/2014 00:19

pigletmania Teaching (for lots of people) is one of those things until you do it, you don't really learn. It is difficult- how do you train teachers when the best way is on the job but equally the YP deserve the best experience. I guess you have to just look at Chloe to see how well she is doing, she is just a year into teaching. It is a very quick learning curve, but the learning curve doesn't truly start until you are 'in there' and doing it for real.
The programme has purposely (sadly for entertainment factor) picked rather well off teachers and shown this a lot. The reality is TF and other teaching routes have a real mix and many who were at schools which are from just as deprived areas. Meryl and Claudina both went to similar schools to the ones shown. They just choose to focus on Harrow/Charterhouse/posh girls independent school ex-pupils as that is better TV.

Campaspe · 01/02/2014 08:30

I still feel the behaviour of the pupils is really shocking. For those sixth formers to wander casually in when they were already late for the lecture was just plain rude. The geography teacher is super impressive still.Got to give Meryl credit for just plodding on. Did anyone else thing that Charles has problems getting on with people?

pigletmania · 01/02/2014 09:28

I just feel that new teachers should get a lot more support in the first couple of year. I don't think it was entirely Meryl's fault she had difficulties, fresh out of university, with very little classroom experience.A lot of those teachers are nit that much older than their students. When you are a Doctor, you start off as a junior doctor, and are give more support and mentoring, then later after experience you become a registrar. Same thing should apply to newly qualified teachers. They know their stuff, they have been at uni for 4 years, but to expect them to know his to handle a class full of children no older than themselves is a big order.

nikkihollis · 01/02/2014 13:57

Campaspe, Charles's mum made a comment about his teachers thinking he might have Aspergers and that he didn't like authority when he was at school. He does come over as being a little bit distant at times but seems to really care about the kids and want to help them do their best.

Also think the behaviour is awful. The uni trip that Oliver arranged and the kids just moseying down in their own sweet time to join the group. So disrespectful. At 6th form level no one is forcing the kids to stay on at school, so I'd have thought they'd have been a bit more motivated and better mannered.

DalmationDots · 01/02/2014 14:17

Sadly that is the behaviour you see from (not all by a long way but) many young people from all backgrounds. Even at some private schools you get highly demotivated students, probably for varying reasons, and you get some awful behaviour. It isn't OK or nice behaviour and shouldn't be tolerated, but it sadly is common.
My mother used to work in a posh girls boarding school and says the behaviour was genuinely as bad as the behaviour shown. And in addition, there were mouthy girls who would endlessly moan and bitch, use the systems to get their own way and regularly remind teachers in a very patronising manner 'our parents are paying for this' if they thought something was unfair.

Bue · 05/02/2014 19:56

Why do they keep referring to 'Sir' and 'Miss' in the third person? "Apologise to Miss for your behaviour" etc. It's appalling use of language! These are terms of address only, they can't be used any other way Hmm Never mind that the equivalent of Sir is Maam

DalmationDots · 06/02/2014 08:03

Bue sadly that happens in a lot of state, and private, schools today. It really bugs me too and isn't a nice way to address people. What is wrong with using Miss Shaw or whatever?
And I agree on your Maam point, much politer for female staff if we are going to be using these terms without surnames.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 06/02/2014 22:35

We always used Mr/Mrs/Miss Surname. Miss/Sir seems a bit... lazy.

I wonder who leaves, it's Meryl or Nick.

Poor thing, I felt sorry for him doing that sex ed lesson!

Rooble · 07/02/2014 09:27

Is his school Catholic? I was quite horrified that he was prepared to say it was wrong to masturbate, and that even when Meryl told him not to, he felt the need to question whether or not it was a good idea to do it. Would love to know how he'd have handled an "I think I'm gay" question on one of his post-its....

Littlemisstax · 07/02/2014 09:41

I know who leaves - I won't put a spoiler on but if you look at the three school websites they all have staff lists on. I can only see four of the six names.

DalmationDots · 07/02/2014 10:53

I know too littlemiss!! I won't spoil either. But I know their reason and it seems justifiable in some ways. A shame though.

Bea · 07/02/2014 11:17

Oh! Do tell! Just pop spoiler alert on top!
I'm the sort who turns to the last page!!!

Hendricksandcucumber · 07/02/2014 12:29

Oooh please let me know! I looked online and could only find Lanfranc's full staff list and then only for 2012-13. Charles wasn't on it but I suppose he wouldn't have been a qualified teacher then?

Bea · 07/02/2014 12:36

see? I'm not the only one!!!!Grin

MikeTheShite · 07/02/2014 13:00

please say Grin

MikeTheShite · 07/02/2014 13:03

thought nick?'s puberty lesson was fab!

MiaowTheCat · 07/02/2014 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

buddyandpip · 07/02/2014 13:20

Has to be Nick as Meryl became an 'outstanding' teacher by the end so I do not think she would leave. Nick, however probably found a much better paid job elsewhere which is a shame as he seemed a very caring teacher and genuinely interested in the students. Don't know though will have to wait until next week to find out.

DalmationDots · 07/02/2014 18:35

How do I put a spoiler alert on? Then i will tell all!!

fussychica · 07/02/2014 18:43

Got to be Nick after the interview with Meryl. Shame as his nemesis(Caleb) has gone now so his teaching life should be far easier. Agree he has probably got a great job in the city.

Does anyone else think it's strange that at least 3 of the 6 have very strong religious beliefs? Doesn't match up with my experience of the "average" postgrad.

fussychica · 07/02/2014 18:47

I'm having a senior moment - ignore my comment re Caleb - got Nick and Charles mixed up stupid woman

DalmationDots · 08/02/2014 11:28

fussychica I find the religious thing strange too. I am guessing it is who was attracted to taking part in the TV show or who those particular schools selected.
I can see TF's mission and ethos could attract religious types who want to do good in deprived areas. I don't think TF generally has above average numbers of very religious from my DDs experience so far but we shall see.

PenguinBear · 08/02/2014 15:38

Can someone Pm me? I know who leaves during next week's show but would also like to know who else has left since the show was filmed?!

OooohLiar · 08/02/2014 23:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.