The Twenty-Eight Republic - Lockdown Light

[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.

No DfE muppets allowed

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 booze is stashed - Thirsty Tuesdays, Fizz Fridays now in operation.

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 and you will receive a detention

We're not live streaming lessons at all. We'll teach live (not full lessons) if a whole group is out but otherwise we're just setting work. And even live teaching is video off.

Camera off I should say

Checking in

Today was pretty good for me. Just marked some A-level assessments and a student who has many personal issues and has been failing managed to attain a solid E. I have been working hard on building them up and encouraging them so I'm thrilled. Looking forward to telling them (and their mum!).

We can no longer have any staff meetings (we had been doing some socially distanced) but all online now. I can still meet my NQT in person which I am glad about as it wouldn't be the same supporting him online.

I still feel like some of my lessons aren't as good as they could be because of all the restrictions but I am trying to focus on the positives and remember that I am doing the best I can.

@MrsHamlet we are doing the same.

@MrsHamlet

We're not live streaming lessons at all. We'll teach live (not full lessons) if a whole group is out but otherwise we're just setting work. And even live teaching is video off.

Is that approach covered by this change in law from 22nd October?

Hey all.

Kids were flipping bonkers today. I’m knackered!

hedge I'm maths. I've had nurture groups for years and I usually love them, but not this one. I declared this afternoon that I hated them (not to them, when venting to other teachers after the lesson). I NEVER hate any classes, I can always, always, always find some redeeming feature, but this afternoon I could see nothing likeable about them at all.

@honey I think the guidance is about providing remote learning - I don’t think it has to be live?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#section-5-contingency-planning-for-remote-education

It’s towards the end the bit about remote provision if that helps?

@CallmeAngelina as far as we can see, yes. Work is being provided. School are not expecting us to be doing two things at once and we can't live stream from class for tech and safeguarding reasons.
We also know some kids can't access live lessons so if we're doing that, then they're recorded and posted.

But if parents of any particular child request it? Are we obligated?

Thanks @MrsHerculePoirot
Appreciate the link

We're providing work and live streaming for smaller groups eg sixth form or well behaved good groups that need the teaching. In a way live streamed is easier than pre recording etc. Plus if you video the live stream, they can watch it back. Only problem is being super careful of what you say/do. I need to get better at muting when I'm not modelling.

Our fall down is kids not engaging with the work we set. No one has the time/space to catch them and there are no consequences if the students aren't in school.

Sorry @CallmeAngelina!!!! Meant you not honey!!!

No - not obligated to live stream. Obligated to provide remote provision and this needs to be ‘high quality instruction’.... you could deffo use oak forest example and check in with child if they need help/provide feedback on their work for example.

You can call me honey if you like!

@Appuskidu

Were things much different at school for those of you who were in today? Are SLT keen for people to be offsite promptly or is it just business as usual?

Business as usual for us. We’re expected at staff meetings etc.

Evening!

It was lovely seeing our Year 13s after they all had to SI for two weeks before Half Term. They did pretty well keeping up with the work and did generally very well today. Shows that blended learning is not such a dirty word as some Mumsnetters think it is, for the older pupils at least, that is.

Very tired though-not a moment to sit down and just breathe all day.

One day down at least!

Business as usual. Kids not wearing masks, after school meetings going ahead. To see our corridors and parts of the staff room you wouldn't think there was a global pandemic.

A friend's child's secondary school has got Ofsted coming in tomorrow!!
Apparently, to talk to the ch'n and staff about how they are dealing with covid in schools!!!
Is this a good idea, or a completely shit one?

Were things much different at school for those of you who were in today? Are SLT keen for people to be offsite promptly or is it just business as usual?

Our head was off, but between the rest of SLT we decided we should be trying to get out early and work at home if possible, but definitely NOT hang around in each other's rooms after school any more for chats if we can help it. Then had an email from the head saying 'Who is leading staff meeting tomorrow?' - she won't be in. Ha. I notice no one has put their hand up to it, so I expect I'll fold tomorrow and do it. But it will be V short, and I'm going to see if anyone would just prefer to do it on Teams.

Is this a good idea, or a completely shit one?

A shit one. Ofsted should fuck off and at the least offer inspectors out as supply.

Evening. Just checking in.
The biggest problem in my school is the staff. Lots have the ‘I don’t care anymore’ attitude so sit right next to you or stand really close.

Checking in

Our staff are getting worse, probably me included. I think it's very difficult to change behaviours. People are used to being close to each other, swapping phones, leaning over computers etc. You do things on auto pilot and then remember not to.

We keep getting reminders to distance in school but nothing about going home ASAP. Lots of people with kids at home don't want to be kicked out, we need that time!

Here's an interesting one ...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/everyone-liverpool-tested-covid-19-19210041

Lots of people with kids at home don't want to be kicked out, we need that time!

I'm going to either come home to work before I go and pick child up from ASC, or just sit in my room. Normally I go and mark or chat with others. Good excuse not to - bet I suddenly find I'm quite efficient.