The Seventeenth Republic - The Pick Your Grade Show continues as we edge towards INSET days.

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

You are most welcome to this school staff support thread to get us through stressful times. It is meant for school staff only – a sort of room of requirement. Baiters, haters, goaders 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 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
Do not give ‘The Every twat for Themselves mob’ the staffroom password as a number of them are operating in an alternative reality.

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 goad us then that is not allowed in the staffroom. Close the door quietly on your way out

@noblegiraffe

U4them trying a new tactic inventing fake friends and fake conversations on Aibu I see.

They're not even being subtle about it.

any tips going into training

Steal as much stuff from other people and the internet as you can.

Ask for advice. Try stuff out. Discard the stuff that doesn’t work for you. We all have different teaching personalities and this is the year to discover yours.

Are you primary or secondary?

Thank you, I will be Primary. I would like to think I'm fairly organized and ideally I'd like to have one day off a weekend, whether this will happen I have no idea.

From what was said, there will be a supply in on the days my teacher isn't. I'm very excited, but also very nervous. I am not a teacher and I have a lot to learn. The covid situation hasn't helped!

@namechangedyetagain

Thank you, I will be Primary. I would like to think I'm fairly organized and ideally I'd like to have one day off a weekend, whether this will happen I have no idea. From what was said, there will be a supply in on the days my teacher isn't. I'm very excited, but also very nervous. I am not a teacher and I have a lot to learn. The covid situation hasn't helped!

If you want a day off at the weekend (and you should) I'd recommend Saturday. You will always want to check stuff and make sure you are ready for Monday on a Sunday - there is always more you 'could' do, you need to have the courage to say you've done enough.

It's blatant that one noble!

Batch cooking and freezing if you can. There will be days when you're too exhausted to do more than think about food, so something nutritious and tasty you can just heat and eat is a game changer. I usually spend a day every holiday doing it and it's great!
Don't waste money on a teacher planner - you'll have a lesson planning format to use. I also give my trainees a mark book because I'm nice like that.
When you're observing lessons, do so with a focus: routines, instruction giving, classroom management, differentiation or whatever. Don't try to see it all every time, because you won't.
Be a magpie and steal ideas. Some you'll steal because they're great, and others you'll put straight in the bin.
Work out who you are as a teacher, rather than trying to be someone else. I have certain non-negotiables which, on the whole, my students comply with because we have an understanding. Students I don't teach tend to only come across me when they're doing something they shouldn't, and I'm considered pretty scary as a result.
Be really organised but also flexible. I try to get my trainees to plan every period in their week, so x periods of teaching, 2 with me, one with their mentor, y periods of obs and then whatever is left is for prep or uni work. If you have a routine, it really helps you to get on top of things.
Know where to go for help. Our repro lady will bend over backwards to help out with things if people are organised and kind. She's also my informant and will let me know if people are struggling.
Don't panic!

Ah here you all are.
Our Staffroom is open but I haven't been in other than for the tap - it seems mad to spend any more time in contact with others. I always did BC (before Covid) though.

How has it been, Mistress? How are the kids after that long off?

Is it the facemask thread? I can't help biting bow and I'm getting really rude. Who is the LindainLockdown creature? Is that a new fake friend. The carbuncle one ... Ugh, I'm going to let myself down and just say 'fuck off you cunt' if I'm not careful. I was doing so well until the wakeful nights kicked in.

You're all amazing, thank you! Good tip about the batch cooking as well. I worry how I'll manage myself, my three dc and Dh who is home late. Because I've been home first, during the week the bulk of cooking has fallen to me. That's going to have to change!

I am going to give it my best. All I can do is that. So is it ok to magpie things from the internet and adapt them? I'm also going to have to convince myself that good enough is good enough.

I'm completely in awe of all of you. You all sound so knowledgeable and competent

So is it ok to magpie things from the internet and adapt them?

Absolutely!! Please don't feel like you have to reinvent the wheel. Other people have had good ideas and it's ok to use them. If they work for you great, if not then adapt them.

Schools all have resources too and you should use those. Yes they'll need tweaking but there's really no need to reinvent the wheel all the time.

@namechangedyetagain

Hey, I'm primary - what year group will you be based in initially?

General advice would be:

• absolutely designate some time in your week as a total switch off time (Friday evenings or Saturdays are best),
• as much as possible, stay on top of your marking load. If you are circulating in lessons (which you might not be with Covid-19), always have a pen and be marking as you go. If you know you have a lesson with a very heavy marking load then make sure you balance this off with lighter marking requirements elsewhere,
• the people around you are experienced and have a lot to offer. Genuinely listen to them and take in what they are saying to you.
• there are resources out there that can be used as a starting point. You don't need to reinvent the wheel but you do have to make sure it's the right type and fit for your car.
• children's behaviour is often communicative but it's not necessarily about you or a commentary on you or your teaching.

Most importantly though, remember that you are not expected to be perfect. You will make mistakes, huge ones, but though feedback and reflection, you will grow and be a better teacher for it.

Anyone seen this re transport?

www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/22/shortage-of-6000-public-buses-puts-uks-school-return-at-risk

Again, with less than 7/8 working days to go in the bulk of England and 2/3 working days in some areas (Leics for one), this is the mess we've all been predicting re transport.

Hubby has decided we are off for a long weekend next week. I'm always vile the weekend before we go back. Will have to try to be nice

I’d also add find the other trainees if any, and if you can next year, and make friends with them! It’s good to compare notes.

I’d also say be honest when you are struggling/overwhelmed - and if you can be specific and say what with or what is worrying you. Some days and weeks will be amazing and others will be a total nightmare. Allow yourself a rant/moan/cry but then move on.

What year group will you have? I for one am totally in awe of primary teachers spending the whole day, every day, with very small children who need everything repeating a million times! I sometimes think I’d like primary, then I go and help for a day and then usually retreat happily to my teenage students 🤣🤣🤣

Danglingmod If only those pesky teachers had mentioned the buses...

My first placement will be in Y6.. I've only ever worked in KS1 before , with odd groups up to y5 here and there so that's a huge change. Then after Christmas Y1 then back to Y6 after Easter. I am really looking forward to it but slightly worried I'll be eaten alive by Y6

@MrsHerculePoirot I don't know how primary do it. Give me a stroppy 14 year old or an unexpected teenage pregnancy and I'm fine!

They have not been too bad at all thanks Noble, though some are taking advantage of the fact they know I won't walk near them much - I am altering seating plans next week to move them to the front!

@namechangedyetagain

Thank you, I will be Primary. I would like to think I'm fairly organized and ideally I'd like to have one day off a weekend, whether this will happen I have no idea. From what was said, there will be a supply in on the days my teacher isn't. I'm very excited, but also very nervous. I am not a teacher and I have a lot to learn. The covid situation hasn't helped!

I mentor primary NQTs and students at my school and have one of each this year.

Be honest with your mentor if you are struggling or need support with anything or even about how you are feeling - we aren’t monsters and we want to help you. It’s OK to have bad lessons and bad days because we all have them in teaching, even experienced teachers and SLT.

Try not to take constructive criticism personally. I really struggled with this early in my career as I’m a perfectionist but I have got a lot better. Don’t be afraid to ask “can I observe you doing that?” if you need more clarification on feedback.

I always take off Friday evening and all day Saturday and it’s crucial for my wellbeing.

Sometimes waiting for something to start is the most nerve wracking part!

BBC now has the face masks as top story:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-53877292

Because we now have no press conferences no one can raise this .

I mean , according to that, my DH should be wearing a medical mask.

@namechangedyetagain

My first placement will be in Y6.. I've only ever worked in KS1 before , with odd groups up to y5 here and there so that's a huge change. Then after Christmas Y1 then back to Y6 after Easter. I am really looking forward to it but slightly worried I'll be eaten alive by Y6

I'm currently in Year Six and have been for a while so if you want any more specific advice, just shout/dm.

Know that good enough is good enough. Concentrate your efforts on what helps learning I. E don't spend 20 minutes looking for the perfect clipart when the first one would do.

Realise you're learning whereas others have been doing it for a while so don't beat yourself up if they're better.

Watch as many people teach as you can, everyone has their own style so look for someone similar and see how they deal with things. No good watching someone for behavior if they're a seven foot fire breathing dragon and you're a five foot nothing kill with kindness type.