Returning to Secondary? 6th form?

[ConfusedTutor]

I'm thinking of applying for a supply job for a year in a 6th form.

However I've been out of school teaching for 10 years... How crazy would this be? How much as changed?

I'd also be changing subject (to another I have a degree in). Theres another teacher in the department so it wouldn't be just me.

I'm just musing aloud really. I know teaching has got SO hard in those last 10 years but how much would that affect it if I just taught 6th form part time??

Are peoples lesson plans scrutinised? (I used to get away with notes in my planner and a general scheme of work)

What about things I need to do in the trial lesson - objectives on the board, bit of work as a class/ a few interesting activities/feed back/show learning? Or is there a ton of new stuff like in Primary?

Presumably they're looking for how I manage a class and if I know my stuff...

I know there's others going for the job even though it's a temporary contract. I hadn't planned to return to school teaching but it seems such a nice school and now my kids are in school it seems an ideal time.

How crazy is it?!

Best thing is to visit and get a feel of it. Questions to ask: how many data drops a year? How many meetings a week? Is there a staff wellbeing policy and can you see it? How many classes would you be timetabled for and would there be cross over in planning? Or time for shared planning??
Someone else will be along shortly with more questions to ask.

Thankyou likeafish.

I was definitely going to ask if there's established schemes/what resources are available etc. As I'd only be coming in for a year it seems a shame to reinvent the wheel when I'm not long term... but on the other hand you never know where it might lead?

Is there any way I can ask what time most staff leave school (ie how early I can get away for childcare - is everyone there past 5?) Or is that something that makes me look too flakey?

I'll ask about behaviour, but I'm hoping in 6th form it's less of a problem.

I dont know if as supply I'll have a tutor group. Presumably as long term supply I might.

Are there things I really must do/show in a lesson? Do people have to lesson plan in detail?

I'd have the summer to get to grips with the syllabus.

Objectives on the board have gone out of fashion : lots of teachers till do it, mind! But if you get a 'very knowledgeable' observer they may tell you that!

Piggy- I was wondering if there was new things I'd miss having been out. I remember the fads coming and going when I was in teaching but didnt want to miss anything obvious!

Regardless of whether 'they' want to see LPs, you will have to do them to begin with if you haven't taught the subject yourself before... believe me, teaching out of your comfort zone is VERY hard work.

Things are a bit less faddish at the moment : one of the new things is retrieval practice. But you can't do that in a one off lesson!

In adult ed you still hear about learning styles...

Great book : Mark. Plan. Teach.

Might be a good investment?

What subject?

Oh I do lesson plans for me - they just wouldn't pass constant observation. I find it much harder to do them to be looked at! I know primary schools scrutinise them and wondered whether I'd have to do extra hours prettying them!

I'm v out of date with key terms. I'll have a lurk on TES before the interview, b

Thankyou Piggy! I'll get that for sure.

I may not get the job. Not sure I want to say the subject unless it puts me to an interviewer . I used to teach predominately 6th form in a similar subject. But in the dark ages. People I taught are now teaching my children !

I am sure you'll be fine. Sixth form teaching hasn't changed hugely. The nature of students has a bit and class sizes may be larger than you remember.

I asked at a pre school visit recently about the end of the day and when it’s acceptable to leave. I tried to word it diplomatically but the SLT said ‘are you asking if we will judge you for leaving at 3.30pm?’ I just laughed and nodded. You’ve got to ask these things haven’t you

If you get an interview (assuming you apply) then invest a couple of hours in examiners’ reports. If there is any concern that you’re a bit outdated, you can kill that off with some very thorough knowledge of examiner feedback woven into your lesson plan.

Pre school visit? That sounds more fun! Pre interview visit.

I'm already waking up with The Fear. I cant work out if my anxiety would adjust... or if I'm being over ambitious applying! It seems like a lovely school!!

Preschool sounds fun :)

Thing to remember is that’s it’s not a full time perm role. You have a get out clause if It turns out not to be for you anymore. Def worth a try IMHO.

Thanks like :)

Today I've lost all confidence I can learn enough to look confident in the trial lesson!

Returning to teaching is huge isnt it. I didnt even have a magic whiteboard when I last taught in a school for whizz PowerPoints!