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The staffroom

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

Wish kids would stop coming in so early!

104 replies

blueirishues · 31/01/2017 17:06

Registration is at 8:45.

I have children skulking around every morning from 8 onwards.

They have a warm canteen with toast and drinks, they have a warm library with huge cuddly chairs, computers and books, they have their OWN HOMES they could stay in. But no. Every day they stand in a cold, soulless corridor like abandoned pets.

Why? WHY?

OP posts:
SpongebobRoundPants · 31/01/2017 18:02

Op you should have put 'lighthearted' in the title Wink

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 18:03

7 there are several problems with that.

  1. I then have numerous arguments with kids who have the salient point that You've Let Her In So Why Not Me

  2. they may well assume this is personal

  3. I then am distracted from my work on numerous occasions having to justify myself to fourteen year olds (and just tell them no - believe me they will stand and argue ... and argue ... and argue)

  4. if I have to leave the room to do some photocopying or whatever I will likely as not return to a room filled with children, as kids see 'Anna' and assume they can go in

  5. even Anna will ask 'can I text my mum, can I borrow a pen, my dog is going to the vets you know?'

You do need to be human but you do need to be consistent. No coming in classrooms before the bell.

OP posts:
Curioushorse · 31/01/2017 18:03

I work in a boarding school. The students LIVE there. You can't get time to yourself in the afternoons either. And it's a lovely school, with lovely students who just spend so much time being lovely you can't ever chuck them out.

They're often 'mildly noisy but lovely' or 'being lovely, but doing something academic which means they'd like your input'.

It's difficult to get work done without being rude!

mugglebumthesecond · 31/01/2017 18:04

They're just soooooo eager to see you Wink

MaureenMLove · 31/01/2017 18:06

I think you need to be blunt and to the point. The form room is not the place for a social before the bell goes for registration.

They have the library for school work and the canteen for chat. It's highly unlikely that either gets that crowded I'm sure. We have 1500 pupils in our school and I don't think I've ever seen more that 3 tables full of kids. The tables sit 8 maximum.

Assuming you've had them since they were yr7, you should be able to be blunt with them! Obviously your door is open for private, important chat, but not before 8.30perhaps?

7SunshineSeven7 · 31/01/2017 18:07

I'm leaving now OP because you seem to be throwing barriers up every single time. You know what I'm talking about - if she is asking to text and talking about her dog etc then she isn't the quiet student I'm on about.

My teachers would make me stand outside, lock the door and I had to wait for them to come back in if they had to go out, this was fine.
I wasn't allowed to talk because it was purely quiet time, this was fine.
I was asked to help with stapling etc, this was fine.

I was so desperate for the reprieve and was so quiet, all of these things were fine if it meant I had the quiet time.

SoOverItNow · 31/01/2017 18:07

Ffs stop being a cool teacher! Be mean for a while.
Bit of sarcasm, confiscate and phone. Let them choose another form room with a nicer more welcoming tutor 😉
Works for me 😂

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 18:09

Yes, Curious!

muggle, my classroom is at a point where you can see clearly out onto the yard. We have two bells - one as a sort of 'get moving!' bell, one is a 'classrooms, NOW' bell. Today was walking across the yard when the 'get moving' bell went. Looked up to see ALL my sodding form waving frantically at me.

Why can't they all be like normal teenagers and stay in bed Grin

Nah, I haven't had them since y7 - I only took them over this year. They are unimaginatively named after the letter son the alphabet. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D. I call mine 9 Dickheads. Not to their face!

I have however told them bluntly. I've told them nicely and I've told them sharply. I've begged them. I've coldly told them. I've yelled at them. I've threatened them. Nothing. Works! Sob! Mind you this is consistent with year 9 as a whole!

OP posts:
Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 18:10

7 I am putting up barriers because I don't want any kids in my room!!

OP posts:
Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 31/01/2017 18:17

Doesn't your school have rules about not being allowed in before a fixed time? Our local secondary only allows into canteen and library before the 5 minute warning bell.

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 18:29

The canteen and library and the area for vulnerable pupils are open from 7:30. I tend to get in around 8.

OP posts:
isthistoonosy · 31/01/2017 18:32

Ah we have displays on the door windows so kids can't see in and doors that automatically lock when you close them and only open from the inside.
Peace - I hide from children and teachers alike Grin

PremierCru · 31/01/2017 18:36

Why can't you lock the door with you inside it and pull a blind down over the door? Class opens at 8:45am sharp for registration?

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 18:37

I don't have a key, sadly. Plus, in any event a child has broken the door (school building is falling apart!)

I was told a while ago it was illegal to cover the glass panel in the door - not sure if that's still the case. And yes, I hide from colleagues too, lovely as they are,they talk!

OP posts:
Meloncoley2 · 31/01/2017 19:08

Glass panels are in doors for safeguarding purposes

youarenotkiddingme · 31/01/2017 19:15

Your description of the onslaught made me laugh! It would make a great comedy sketch like the Harry Enfield Kevin the teen ones!

My ds struggles with sensory things and would like a quiet room at times.
Unfortunately if the room got noisy he'd be the one using fucking cunt Blush

Is there someone that kids that do actually need a haven can go?

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 19:18

There is! I'm not that evil - I would let them in if there wasn't somewhere for them. But there IS! Several places, in fact. I just don't need to hear a long and passionate discussion about who farted before I've even done my photocopying!

OP posts:
Lapinlapin · 31/01/2017 19:27

Ha, love you descriptions of the kids - so true Grin

Have you got a staff work room where you could do your marking and emails?

Failing that could you put a note on the door saying your tutor group can come in at say 8.30? That way they get a bit of time in the room before school starts, but you also get a clear half hour of quiet?

And I totally get why you can't just allow some students and not others. Just imagine the complaining and gnashing of teeth that would go on!

NC1nightstand · 31/01/2017 19:30

Is this a stealthboast op?Grin I never ever made it into school 45mins early and I don't know any teenagers in the history of teenagers that go to school 45 mins early! Even then I can't imagine actually going to class if there were other options like a canteen or library. So, the only proper conclusion is that you are lush and they love you. So as annoying as it must be you must be a little secretly pleased!

ssd · 31/01/2017 19:31

this is funny, I can imagine you sitting in the dark or hiding under the desk to avoid them all!

every day I drop ds at secondary school and I see teachers walking in through the car park the only think I think is "how the hell do you do your job?"...then at parents night, they are all so enthusiastic is amazing, I dont know how teachers do it.

you just sound nice thats why they want in your room!

Heirhelp · 31/01/2017 19:35

covering the glass is a h and s issue as the fire brigade can't check easily I found the room is empty.

Original poster
blueirishues · 31/01/2017 19:39

It's not s stealth boast! I promise! I'm constantly yelling at my form so I've no idea why they are so - punctual! Grin

OP posts:
Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 31/01/2017 19:39

Grin kids eh?

ofudginghell · 31/01/2017 19:50

My year 7 dd has to get a coach from outside ours to school which is very rarely on time so gets to school by the skin of her teeth most days Confused

From the other side of the coin our primary states firmly the kids have to be their by 8.50am ready to line up for outdoor activity before the bell at 9.
That would work amazingly well if the teachers appeared before 9.05 some days whilst we are all left standing in the rain and getting later and later for work with each creeping minute.
I was once ten mins late picking up due to traffic and called ahead to say could dd be kept in classroom or library area whilst I get there and had a snotty receptionist tell me it was my responsibility to get there on time Shock
Traffic does sometimes cause delays etc etc but I did remind her that if I wasn't stood in the playground 15 mins later every morning I wouldn't be chasing my tail every day.

noblegiraffe · 31/01/2017 20:04

The first 3 people into your classroom in the morning are automatically in charge of tidying it up once tutor time starts. No arguments, they will be banned for life if they refuse to pick up the sandwiches and straighten the furniture.

Watch them all hesitate to be the first in!