Gove's at it again

[fedup21]

www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Education/article1355695.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2013_12_21

Things like this always get announced on day 2 of the holidays when people think teachers are doing pish all!

Shocking journalism though; does Sian Griffiths really think teachers 'enjoy short working days'? I am in my classroom from 7.45 until 6pm. That's longer 'working' hours than my 'city boy' husband does (though not the 1.5 hour commute) and I work in the evenings and he doesn't!?

Interesting to see that so many are saying if they lose their hol entitlement they will be off. Where do you think you would get that hol entitlement...?

I think teachers are objecting to having 4-6 weeks like everyone else but not being able to choose when we take it, unlike everyone else.

Do you not see that like Michael O'Leary, he provokes for the headlines and you play into his hands, thus appearing to be whinging teachers?

What's the alternative? Not say anything and let him totally ruin education as we know it?

Mrsyoung. What you've just described is what teachers have to do for a supply teacher if they go on a days course.

The holidays are a perk, of course but necessary for children as well. I'd be happy to have them more evenly spaced out throughout the year. Or even shortened, if I was paid for the extra hours I had to work.

I'd be happy to work until 6pm, oh except I already do! Not sure when Gove thinks we'd plan lessons or mark books, necessary to provide a high quality education.

And yes, sometimes I'd rather have 4-5 weeks holiday of my choosing. I'd like to see how Gove plans to cover our holidays AND ensure that children continue to get a high quality consistent education.

And when will the children have holidays? Will it be whenever their parents choose? That will result in more consistency then .... or not!

I am not a teacher basher at all (lots in my family plus some really good friends) but at DS's school when I pick up from after school club at 1800 the car park is empty except the for the head's car and all the lights are off in the school. Usually the same at 1730. Teachers are usually to be seen arriving around 0800.

Of course they may be at home working, but from what I see the actual hours spent working aren't significantly different to many other professions.

Not saying I want to be a teacher (really not my calling and I admire those who can) but just perhaps there is scope for discussion that a school system set up for another era (eg when children were needed for the harvest in summer) perhaps isn't what modern families need now...?

By that same argument, FamiliesShareGerms, if I were to rock up at your office (or many others) at 6pm-I would find them pretty empty as lots if people have gone home after being at work since 8am. Does that mean that it would be a good thing for people to be still working then? Most people-in most jobs, are hungry, tired and won't to go home. Just because there are more hours in the day, do you think it would be productive for them all to be spent working?

My children have had it by 3.30-it's struggle enough to get them to read their books or do some homework after school. If they were at school until 6, it would be nigh on impossible. I want an educated, but happy child home! I want to read with them etc Do people think perhaps that children should stay until 6pm and the teachers could spend the time listening to them all individually and giving specific help with their homework...

We are contracted (and paid) for 1265 hours per year. I'd be interested to know how Gove plans to find the money to pay for the additional hours his proposals will require? I know his plan is to not pay it, but there is no way the unions will accept that. So it will be more and longer strikes and teachers leaving the profession in droves. But maybe that's Gove's plan, then he can put unqualified (cheaper) staff in to teach the classes!

I would prefer my children to do homework in school rather than at home. makes no sense at all to do it at home, where children have wildly varying home conditions - much better in school where all have same facilities. if people were serious about helping FSM children achieve they would be all for it. Homework clubs could easily be supervised by trainee teachers or students - they would better qualified than most of the parents who do try to help, and all of those that don't..

Fine, Mrs Young. As long as parents pay the trainee teachers the same rate as they pay the child minder they no longer need, I'm sure that would be ok.

I find it amazing that Gove wants children to work often longer hours than many adults do (include HW in with that).

I used to find my children falling asleep over their coursework because they were so tired from a day at school, after school clubs and approaching GCSEs.

Not healthy.

The negativity on these thread is utterly depressing. What is wrong with suggesting that students for trainee teachers get paid for doing something that benefits the deprived - ie those children who do not go home to a healthy snack, desk in a quiet room to work at, computer access?

I have no issue with other provision on schools but I physically cannot do anymore. My average working day is about 14-15 hours. I have a family who would like time with me .

Mrsyoung, have you done teacher training? As well as doing the job, you have to go home and write up everything you've done, then plan and prepare for the next day, it's exhausting. For some children homework clubs are a great idea, but they have to be staffed and funded appropriately.

The training year is the worst of them all. As much work as I do, and as hard as it it sometimes, it's never been as hard as that year.

And let's not forget that not all trainees are 23 year olds with no other responsibilities.

I want my trainee teachers to focus in planning great lessons, learning their craft and widening their knowledge . The powers that be want then writing up their every movement in great detail and then analysing the shit out of themselves . Between the demands of their school and college there is little time to run a crèche after school. Certainly not more than once a week .

Not being negative, just realistic. In theory it may sound like a great idea, but can you imagine a class of 30 6 year olds doing homework together at the end of an exhausting school day? If, as a teacher, my in school working day didn't finish until 6pm, then I needed to do four or five additional hours (that I usually do from 3pm) I will burn out before the end of a term and so will most other teachers. The impact that will have on the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms around the country would be catastrophic.

Also many schools are not in areas with convenient teacher training colleges nearby. Our nearest is nearly an hours drive away. Can't see many trainees wanting that unpaid job experience even if they had the time around all their studies and placements.

What we really need is separate, well-funded after school care, but can you see Gove funding that?

"I am not a teacher basher at all (lots in my family plus some really good friends) but at DS's school when I pick up from after school club at 1800 the car park is empty except the for the head's car and all the lights are off in the school. Usually the same at 1730. Teachers are usually to be seen arriving around 0800."

Not really sure what you are trying to say here Families? Do you think teachers ought to be in earlier that 8am, when school starts at 9am and they should all be there until at least 17.30?

I agree sovery, this is about putting the focus on "lazy teachers " or hopefully pushing them into striking, so that the public do not ask too many questions about suspect OFSTED Inspections and the dubious actions of some free schools/ academies .

Just told DD and her two friends about hsi plans - they are 11/12 and in Y7. They just looked at me, rolled their eyes and asked when they were supposed to have a life.

It just shows how little he cares about children and is completely happy to use them and their futures as a political football to further his career.

There's a thread at mo,teachers agreeing the 7wk hols and bh are great perks
Teachers habitually moan,they have great t&c

great idea
Only England though,but great for us working parents
Constant holidays and in service is a real hassle to manage