The Seventh Republic - the debate rages on but for some it is half term!

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff. Baiters and bashers can jog on somewhere else.

If you are NOT staff and just have a general education query please start your own thread.

You can play here only if you are a member of one the following groups-

-ABBA - anti bashers and baiting association
-SWAB - school workers against bashers
-SWOT - school workers opposing teacherbashers
-STARS - schoolworkers together against ranting + slurs

Other requirements for staff room entry include the ability to find the staff room, the ability to find a clean mug in the staff room, knowledge of the photocopier codes, and the ability to sniff out where the toffee vodka is hidden.

If you are fed up with cakes and biscuits there is now a cheeseboard on offer

True cant and it didn't even distract them!

I’d be feeling increasingly worried if I was a government scientific adviser right now.

I have seen this on another thread -is it true? The poster says they have rewritten the '5 tests' (number 4 used to be track and trace in place I think) so that it appears as if we have met them:

"1. Protect the NHS’s ability to cope. We must be confident that we are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK

1. See a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates from COVID-19 so we are confident that we have moved beyond the peak
2. Reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board
3. Be confident that the range of operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand
4. Be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS"

Or had it been reworded before and I missed it?

Here is Boris's list on 27 April - when he returned from sick leave:

"that we are meeting our five tests:
deaths falling
NHS protected
rate of infection down
really sorting out the challenges of testing and PPE
avoiding a second peak"

He seems to keep changing the order in which he lists them, which doesn't help.

Thanks Strawberry.

I think my concern is that even SAGE said - despite not modelling the relevant year groups - that a fully functioning track and trace programme needed to be in place for schools to return. Numbers being tested doesn't help control outbreaks if there is no contact tracing.

I think it's the unions that were asking for track and trace.

Bastard militants.

I see the sun is still continuing its school obsession with its front page tomorrow.

Bet they nearly wet themselves when Bojo mentioned schools.

Piggy, my school SLT functions by emotional blackmail and bullying. I have moderate to severe asthma (taking Qvar, Salbutomol, Montelukast) plus an autoimmune condition. I've not had more than a few days off in years. But my being out of the rota is really pissing off some staff and in particular our absolute martyr of a deputy. Who never misses a chance to publicly prostrate themselves on the altar of education (being childless, able to stay in school till 8, and obsessed enough to email staff at 11pm) and then expect everyone else to do it as well.
My union will be fuck all use. they are toothless against the juggernaut of MAT's. I've contacted them though.

I know what will happen - I'll be expected to work through this and then all of a sudden I'll find myself observed to high heaven and on capability. I've watched them do it to 2 others in the last 5 years. Unions were worthless.

I am, if I have to, going to do the very bare minimum. By which I mean I'll teach the kids as normal and well, but they can now and forever fuck off to the far side of fuck for anything else until I leave.

@phlebasconsidered - I hope you are documenting everything. Keep emails, make note of discussions even comments made in passing (time and date)

A friend went through similar issues with a deputy head and when the governors saw everything it was hard to rebuke. There was enough evidence of bullying.

The friend did leave to go to another school but it was then on her terms.

That is good advice - I will start saving anything to a folder. What guts me is that I have massively improved results, been a "good" teacher but that means nothing. I am mentally preparing to use my union to negotiated leaving. And it might be what I need!

Hi all.
How have I just found this 😁

Sorry if this has been asked before, but has any other secondary been told they are back in on the 8th?

phlebasconsidered I’m sorry you are going through this stress. I wish more punks be done about the corruption in some SLTs.
I have resigned for the same reason, one of 11 to go since September when the new head arrived. The whole SLT and MLT has been changed in that space of time with some going in circumstances that will have a devastating impact on their chance of future employment within a school. The worst part is the staff that have been pushed were well loved by the children, parents and staff (not an easy task in these parts) they were also experienced and skilled at getting the best for each child. such a loss, but hey the school’s budget is looking up!

Gav dripping all over BBC1 at the moment.

Loving this Tweet :

*If Dominic Cummings was an Assistant Head:

He’d create the harshest marking policy possible and probably wouldn’t follow it himself.

You’d check his books to see if you’re right, but when you call him on it he’d say you don’t have to follow it THAT rigorously*

Phleb I really think you need to see your doctor and explain what’s going on. They will likely sign you off on account of your illnesses being such that you can’t work under current conditions. It’s not safe for you and that is cause for a medical certificate. Your first responsibility is to your health, for your sake and your families.

Phleb I really think you need to see your doctor and explain what’s going on.

Agree phlebas. Hugs.

Stealing that tweet for the group chat piggy.

Yes @CheesecakeAddict, albeit only for sections of Y10 though. Obviously a rewrite of plans will now be under way....

honey and I have both said this before but I really don't understand why so many secondary heads charged ahead with rather excitable plans bringing in lots of kids all at once for teaching on 1st June. If nothing else, it suggests they themselves don't understand 'the science'.

@piggy that actually is our deputy head! Maybe she is Dominic Cummings in disguise...

My school had planned it from the 8th but he did say this will be put back a week or two if he has to. They have said they will let us know on the 28th.

Phleb - so sorry for you and agree union and document everything. Our very sensible head has made no plans (the usual risk assessments and stockpiling some antibac/gloves) they were waiting for the magical guidance to appear!

It's every single one of our SLT step!

Supportive parent.

Interesting.