The Tenth Republic - what is the new normal?

[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

If you come with a stick to beat us with then please do so elsewhere and not in the staffroom.

I think some might volunteer for a childcare only scheme at my school. But they would want to know in advance which kids would be in. The KW group that's been in from the beginning have been lovely apparently, so they would go in for those kids.

Nobody would be volunteering for actually teaching anyone anything. Not after getting the unions involved so much about going in for years 10 and 12, due to the plan with masses of infection control issues (we have no issues with the educational and mental health side of things, purely with the infection control and safety). We've all gone in, even with this plan, but it's used up all of our "this is for the kids" good will. Nobody's got any left right now.

I haven’t taught any lessons or set any work either as I’m not class-based, but I have a role in school which is email/telephone/paperwork based anyway so that has continued as normal but from home. I’m still not volunteering during the summer. I would strike if necessary.

@RigaBalsam

So we aren't allowed to say ' schools have been open all of the way through' now because it irrates some goady fooks! Brilliant!

Having spent all weekend writing reports, I looked at that thread and have hidden it.

There are a few parents like those at my school, I think, but the vast vast majority are very supportive. Reading too much MN though tends to sap my goodwill. Our HT has said that he has no intention for staff to be in over the summer, so I'm hoping that doesn't change.

The thing about the summer classes is that our contracts state that we can only be asked to do directed hours during the 195 days of term and inset.

That is why they the government are pushing for volunteers etc.

Who would volunteer to teach over the summer to kids who no doubt won’t want to be there?

The thing is that I can think of half a dozen teachers at my school that would jump at the chance to come in.

If they paid me £10k for working the full 6 weeks full-time I would, but won't accept a penny less. I'd have to give up my other job, but for ten grand aye I'd do it. How much is that an hour, same as a tutor??

The thing is that I can think of half a dozen teachers at my school that would jump at the chance to come in

Really? Even unpaid?

Couple would,d want to volunteer at ours too, but vast majority would not. Head wont ask. She is desperate for the holidays.

If any common sense is allowed I’d think they’d prefer teachers not in school over summer risking infection to have a better chance of all staff being healthy for September.

Hasn't Lord Adonis said we should be in preparing, not teaching/ looking after kids?

Still not doing it, I'll prep from home, as usual, but no way am I going in.

The thing about the summer classes is that our contracts state that we can only be asked to do directed hours during the 195 days of term and inset.

Good point

I can think of a couple who would go in unpaid.

The only thing is that it's the summer when a lot of major building work happens. Especially if any work needs to be done to actually make the next year safer hygiene wise.

And yes good point honey.

If / when I get this, I'll also be making sure I'm fully well before going back. I can veer towards fatigue as it is so I'm not going to be a martyr. My family need me well, as would work and I've experienced what happens when you don't properly recover, much longer term absence that helps no one.

Interestingly, I've rarely felt mn affects my mh as I've rarely used it for teaching stuff. It was originally for pregnancy and then early babyhood, a bit of health, relationship and the funnies. Then conception again and I got dragged into feminist chat.

I've reverted to not looking at other threads and I'm definitely healthier for it. There's a special type of resentful parent who moans on mn. Because they can't on social media. Also, some of the other people I know who use mn don't post stuff like that. Again it's feminism and parenting.

Have that actually said we will be open in the holidays? We will end up with slt and teachers on long term sick with stress soon.

Outside of the almost weekly debate on MN about summer holidays and pay, most teachers I know are oblivious tot he fact that we don't get paid for the summer, you know.

Lol, I was!

Thank you @StaffAssociationRepresentative. I know I need to rid myself of the self doubt. But I can't help thinking what if I was only offered a place because they were being nice / felt sorry for me?
The only recent experience is that of a 1 to 1 which I'm not enjoying at all

Name, this is such a crazy time to be starting a pgce, in top of what would normally be also something that anyone would naturally feel anxious about.

Working 1:1 can be extremely exhausting, especially if they are hard to develop a relationship with and motivate. Does the child like Lego? I've had children like that doing one short task and a timed slot of Lego, then a short task then Lego and so on. And let them clearly see the pattern of what will happen written down. Or what ever is safely manageable. Or earn points that count towards time on an iPad etc. The child's tension will also be high too at the moment.

I will say that working with a larger class is an entirely different feeling and also when they're keen to learn, you get a buzz that lifts you. You'll get shown how to plan lessons but everyone finds their own style and the best way to learn is to have a pig of a lesson and work out what you'd not do next time! The best teachers are self reflective; it's important to try to channel reflection and not self criticism, though after 20 years I still find that hard!

Appuskidu

Really? Even unpaid?

Some of them probably.

Too many traitors in the profession now

I think it is down to feeling the pressure to do it.

Even if you have a good HT that doesn't put pressure (or guilt) on some will feel the need to do it.

We all do it to some extent - do revision classes, attend a lunchtime meeting, buy stuff for our classroom, work stupid hours.

You can make teachers do a lot by saying it’s for the kids.

Interesting rundown of the return in France. I don't know of a single country (in Europe) that ahs its very oldest students back. (happy to be corrected). As all the students at my school are aged 14+ , this does concern me rather:

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/back-to-school-for-millions-in-france-as-more-covid-19-restrictions-lifted/ar-BB15OO3Y?ocid=spartanntp_edu

I have never done a revision class (unless a few students have specifically asked me to). I genuinely don't believe in them.

Omg! Two minute silence for the victims of the Reading attacks...fair enough... But: staff and students from the teacher's school standing in a massive huddle outside. Dozens of them literally standing shoulder to shoulder... What the hell?