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.

[BlanketyBlankAgain]

Can't keep track of who asked me what about time-tabling...

I got into it because I was doing general school admin stuff, and the timetabler worked in the same office, so we used to have random conversations about how it was done. One summer the timetabler was ill, SLT were in a bit of a panic about it, I rashly said I'd have a go and have been doing it ever since...
At the time it was quite odd for a non-teacher to be doing it (and still is I think) but does have the advantage that no-one can complain I'm favouring my own department!
The main qualification is the sort of mind that likes solving logic problems which at the core is what timetabling is. However, I think a good timetable also involves a really clear understanding of your own whole school and department priorities, and lots of communicating with everyone involved - not just in the summer but when planning future staffing over the winter etc...

Bubble-wise at the moment we have staff teaching in both Y10 and Y12 bubbles, but not in both on the same day.
Our plans for September will depend on what's decided about teachers - can they move between year-group bubbles - and if so, how often? If they have to stay with the same year-group all day then they'll be a lot of double/triple lessons going on I think...

[flumposie]

Jesus. Pointed out on the thread about the teacher being told they can't go on holiday that at my school people that volunteered over the holidays haven't had extra time off or been paid for it and someone twisted that to asking if I'd volunteered etc what the fuck is wrong with people ? I'm actually going in on my days off. What has that got to do with any thing. Silly cow.

[ohthegoats]

So now they've announced no quarantine, everyone is going to fuck off on holiday and there will be no kids in school as of 6th July. Hahaha!

[Mistressiggi]

I must be such a wuss, we are cancelling our planned holiday I can't imagine getting on a plane, looking for places to eat and toilets etc when out and about - I would not enjoy the holiday at all (or I would relax and enjoy it and forget all about being safe)

[Flagsfiend]

Has anyone found the SAGE advise that TES is quoting? - I found the minutes from 11th June but it doesn't mention teachers or close contact occupations in there at all...

[NeurotrashWarrior]

Honestly, avoid all other threads people. Unless you know it will help you, they're all angry and fed up and desperate to blame a teacher.

The secondary teacher I chatted to yesterday is definitely not on mn and commented about the way teachers are being framed and bashed in the media etc.

It's a national pastime.

[NeurotrashWarrior]

I've been thinking about whether to leave the profession again this morning. Anxiety about sept is rising. I suppose I have to trust that things are well thought through.

I'm finding it hard to deal with how a group of friends were discussing arranging a meet up on a remote beach, in that they're trying to be socially distanced etc and one said; "I feel safer now but obviously stay away from anyone vulnerable."

I felt odd as I don't think she'd realised I'm clinically vulnerable; if she's been feeling scared and not seeing people but now it's ok, I'm not sure how I feel. A bit jealous i suppose as they're gradually planning normality. As far as I can tell the CV group are operating under the rules they were before the shielding changed.

Not making much sense but In finding it hard to gauge what I can and can't do and how I'm supposed to be feeling/ acting etc. It was easier when everyone was basically in the same boat.

I'm also apprehensive about every winter due to asthma which I don't think was as well controlled as thought last winter. So I'm extra apprehensive about this one.

[Piggywaspushed]

Just woken up to see that it is legitimate debate on that awful thread. The whole OP was posted in a bashing fashion. The debate afterwards is one thing but eh poll vote didn't even have an option that defended teachers. So disappointing from.

We obviously need to go back to the not engaging but, honestly , why shouldn't we defend ourselves and our profession. I fond it upsetting that there are people in the community who think so little of us all.

The holiday thing I always put up with but that was usually mild joshing form DH's cricket mates. This is a whole new league.

[Piggywaspushed]

Staying with the same year group all day will be draining !

I can't see how it helps, either. The virus doesn't go away overnight : however, I suppose it is easier for track and trace.

Not decrying your timetabling blanket : just musing!

The track and trace won't protect anyone : it is just a way of identifying people. Teachers' unions definitely still need to work on protecting us (or mitigations is the new word!)

In The Times yesterday there was a sentence about how hard tracers are finding some settings because of high number of contacts : hospitals, factories and schools!

[Beawillalwaysbetopdog]

Piggy I think we just need to stay away from those threads. I don't think anyone is ever convinced by anything we say and it's bad for our mental health.

I've promised myself (again) that this is the only education related thread I'll read.

[echt]

The ones that do my head are those who appear to think (if that's the right word to dignify the 2 CV power of their brains straining against the gradient) that trades unions are there to represent the interests of anyone other than their membership.

As thick as a thick thing.

[Piggywaspushed]

So, in The Times today, pubs are being set up against schools again.

The threat appears to be if the R rises, either pubs will shut or secondaries will remain closed! What kind of bizarre emotional blackmail is this?

Also... workers should not go for drinks with people form other offices (eh? do the pubs and cafes have to add that to their questionnaire??) ; and people who work in public roles should avoid public conveniences and dining areas (but we can go on holiday..), and take extra care on transport and in shops. Presumably, public facers are the vectors...

This comes from SAGE who also suggest a week on/week off working pattern. Which I could actually see as part of a sensible solution for schools but it'll never happen!!

[Piggywaspushed]

The above would have quite big implications for meetings in schools though fingers crossed for no ore pointless briefings and whole staff meetings

[Butmiss]

So we can't go to the pub Piggy?

[Piggywaspushed]

They are trying to run (really quite generously funded) summer schools for some French schoolchildren and are also giving 250000 poorer families 300 euros to take their kids away in the holiday.

They need 25000 teachers to sign up (it doesn't say if they are to be paid) and so far 5000 have...

[NeurotrashWarrior]

In The Times yesterday there was a sentence about how hard tracers are finding some settings because of high number of contacts : hospitals, factories and schools!

No shit, Sherlock!

[NeurotrashWarrior]

week on/week off working pattern.

Sen schools were given free reign to work out how to get as many pupils back in as possible, that's how most have managed it.

[ohthegoats]

I've been thinking about whether to leave the profession again this morning.

I think about that ALL THE TIME. And I'm not even vulnerable. It's an insane job. Also I just feel quite jaded about the whole thing. I'm turning into one of the older/more experienced teachers who just moaned all the time when I was a single, younger trainee. Now I'm old and have family, it's just too exhausting.

The French run well funded holiday clubs anyway. Not funded, what's the word? Subsidised? Cheap anyway. And they are cool.

[ohthegoats]

My child's school has asked whether we'd prefer week on week off (with 4 days in school), or 2 days a week if it comes to part time schooling. We went for 2 days a week because it's not me who will have to do it, and the 2 days thing allows partner to at least be able to work part of every week without 'company'.

His mum volunteered to come down during the off weeks if it was week on week off, but if that's really long term then it's not feasible. Also, I don't want his mum here all the time.

[CallmeAngelina]

@StaffAssociationRepresentative
We need a new thread!! Any chance?

[NeurotrashWarrior]

Ohgoats, yeah that's me, the older jaded teacher who grumbles about the old days. It happened a few years ago when all these young bright things getting middle leaders jobs tried to tell me that alllll the schools were running history / geography based curriculums, where everything linked to the history as a result of how there was so much in the history and geog curriculum. That's when I had to start speaking up and being generally awkward and calling for balance.

Was the 2 day option thing for this term or next September goats?

[ohthegoats]

September. They were just asking what the preferred option is/was.

I've only been a teacher for 11 years! Already had enough. Can't do it for another 20 years, just no chance.

[noblegiraffe]

One week on one week off is way too disruptive for childcare.

I’ve had to wrangle childcare around a two week timetable for years and luckily had a very understanding and flexible childminder.

[ohthegoats]

I also think too disruptive for younger children - just get into it, and you're off a week. Also longer time to be working 'alone'.

If 2 days in, can teach input, send them away with a couple of days of follow up activities plus a 'whole school' type piece of nonsense for the other day.

Not sure how any of this part time stuff works for 'key worker' children, considering lots more jobs will be back to some semblance of normal.

Shame that in the trickiest situation, we seem to be landed with an ineffectual DfE bod.

[NeurotrashWarrior]

Yes I'd prefer 2 days per week. I'd personally possibly have to use a kw day to cover me for my own days too.