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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

how to be assertive in appropriate way with HOD? request to do meetings after school

22 replies

energyfirst · 27/02/2014 10:14

have been asked to do certain meetings after school for students to boost them before exams etc. I would not mind during the school day but after school I feel I need to go to DC...what would you do? how do you set out the boundaries?

OP posts:
TwinkleSparkleBling · 27/02/2014 15:17

Is it part of your directed time? If so I don't think you can refuse to go.

If it is not directed time, it is based on goodwill and you can refuse to do it. However that may not go down well so be aware that you may be "leaned on".

Is it just one day a week up until the exams? If so it's not too bad but I do understand about wanting to be with DC!

gateacre1 · 27/02/2014 16:14

Ask if it can be done on a rota with other staff or offer an alternative e.g. a lunch time session.

best thing is to always offer an alternative, so you can't be labelled as not pulling your weight etc.

Some staff where I work leave at 3pm to get their children as they have no alternative childcare but do offer to help at lunch time or in their ppa.

It's like a competition in my workplace as to who is seen to be doing the
most 'extras'. :-(

Original poster
energyfirst · 27/02/2014 18:04

well in my school I have a lot of after school meetungs etc so feel too much at the moment

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 27/02/2014 18:28

After school stuff has to be based on goodwill really. I am lucky in my school in that we do one meeting per week and the rest is up to us. I choose to run two clubs after school but do so at my own convenience. Could you offer to run these sessions at lunch time instead? Or before school? We do a variety where I teach, again, at staff convenience. Lots of our kids get in quite early so a breakfast club works for some colleagues. Depends on the length of your lunchtime too.

What other meetings do you have after school? If you're not in a position of responsibility, it shouldn't really be more than one a week.

Original poster
energyfirst · 28/02/2014 08:33

I stay 2 days after school already on regular basis

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 28/02/2014 17:51

That's not that much! If you don't want to do it, then don't, but 2 days after school is one more than "expectation" You will find a hell of a lot of teachers who do way more than that. Don't expect much sympathy from your HOD, but if you don't want to do it, that is absolutely your right. You just need to say so, assertively.

FWIW, I stay 3 days - 1 for meetings and 2 for clubs.

TheFallenMadonna · 28/02/2014 17:53

Is it for your group? Or whole department?

chocolatecaramel · 28/02/2014 18:18

Hi energy, it is difficult with small children.

What you may wish to bear in mind is that performance related pay means that unfortunately your pay could go down if the students don't achieve their targets and if you've done extra classes then that's a point in your favour.

I had a meeting about dealing with difficult staff today and this was mentioned.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 28/02/2014 18:22

Is it directed time? What hours do you do already?

Littlefish · 28/02/2014 20:37

Are you part time or full time? How long will the classes be running for - 6 weeks? A term? What other after school or lunchtime clubs do you run? How many meetings do you attend each week?

PenelopePitstops · 28/02/2014 20:42

What is your role?

Are others doing it?

I wouldn't judge anyone who didn't stay unless it was directed time. Being a childless teacher means I am often at more of these things than people with children are. My time will come!

Original poster
energyfirst · 01/03/2014 11:58

sorry what is Directed Time?

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 01/03/2014 13:13

Directed time is the stuff that makes up your contracted hours- weekly meetings, parents evenings, inset and so in as well as the school day.

Original poster
energyfirst · 01/03/2014 20:50

I di not know if it is ditected time...contract says to support department and HOD? at the moment I do 3 clubs lunch time, 2 clubs after school

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 01/03/2014 20:51

If you don't want to do it, don't. They can't force you!

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 01/03/2014 21:28

That seems like a lot of clubs to already be doing. If you want to be helpful you could ask which of those you could drop in order to do the booster sessions.

Abbierhodes · 01/03/2014 22:53

How long have you been teaching? Directed time is a commonly used term Confused

StarsAboveYou · 01/03/2014 22:58

Depends where you teach Abbie.

It's not a term used in Scotland I don't think.

BranchingOut · 02/03/2014 08:17

If you are in England, your school or department should have a 'directed time budget' - a spreadsheet or calculation showing how the hours of the school day and the meetings you attend fit within the hours of directed time.

However, times are a-changing and I think you have to guage this politically rather than by the rules - what will be the consequences of not cooperating?

Essiebee · 02/03/2014 08:37

Are you a qualified teacher or are you unqualified or a TA? Is your school an Academy or a state school or private? An Academy does not have to abide by previously negotiated requirements, and can ask you to do anything they want, within reason. Ask for a Directed Time requirement, and consider changing some clubs for these booster sessions; they sound more valuable. And join a Union! They can give you all the up to date information and support you if necessary.

intheenddotcom · 02/03/2014 13:30

Your contract makes it sound like you are not a qualified teacher. So I am a bit Confused.

I would be very careful of playing the children card, especially now that pay is very clearly liked to performance management.

Original poster
energyfirst · 02/03/2014 16:27

I am qualified teacher. I see the point about the performance management. will see what I can do in the present situation, it is just feels that more and more coming up and I might be swallowed by bits and pieces...

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