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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Is your school doing online observations and walkthroughs

53 replies

Workyticket · 06/01/2021 22:47

Mine announced yesterday that SLT would be dropping in AND doing full observations

32 teachers - I'm the only one who's visibly kicking up a fuss.

OP posts:
SarahLou67 · 06/01/2021 23:56

Utterly disgraceful under these circumstances. I’m just appalled.

SansaSnark · 07/01/2021 00:02

As in physically?

I'd ask to see a risk assessment for this at the very least.

Original poster
Workyticket · 07/01/2021 00:09

Online - as in dropping into live Teams lessons

There'll be a theme every week apparently

My theme is 'I'm doing my fucking best'

OP posts:
estornudar · 07/01/2021 00:23

That is scandalous. Get in touch with your union rep and kick them out of the Teams meeting as soon as they enter!

Lancrelady80 · 07/01/2021 00:33

Ours want to monitor work (as in have access to Google Classrooms) but that's it. So far, anyway.

Hope they don't read this thread and get ideas!

PumpkinPie2016 · 07/01/2021 06:01

Good grief, I've heard it all now!

I would speak to your union about this. It's crazy to be doing lesson observations in the current situation!

Original poster
Workyticket · 07/01/2021 08:23

I honestly have nothing to hide but there are just too many uncontrollable variables - students are struggling with tech, many of my adult learners have children at home.

Younger ones are sharing tech with siblings, I've got my son at home. Every other student seems to have a dog and they all set each other off... I'm exhausted with it all and so angry that I'm the only one making a fuss!

OP posts:
SansaSnark · 07/01/2021 08:38

That is an excessive burden to put on staff. I would definitely speak to your union.

Could you ask to observe one of their lessons to "see the standard you should be reaching"? I know you probably don't have time, though!

Newrumpus · 07/01/2021 11:08

Just give the kids a different meeting code and don’t let any numpties on the management team see it. You can always blame technology.

Iamnotthe1 · 07/01/2021 11:22

Absolutely not.

Who has this level of trust issues?

Original poster
Workyticket · 07/01/2021 11:39

So glad I'm not the only one disgusted by this. I've emailed the union (although I'm sure they're stowed off so not expecting a quick reply)

OP posts:
phlebasconsidered · 07/01/2021 12:49

My micro managing DH has herself able to see every single google classroom and comment on everything as she "needs to monitor quality".

Our head is constantly walking around the school. She's "popped in" to see how we all are / spy twice today already. These are the tyoe of people the Stasi would have snapped up.

JanetandJohn500 · 07/01/2021 14:16

@phlebasconsidered

My micro managing DH has herself able to see every single google classroom and comment on everything as she "needs to monitor quality".

Our head is constantly walking around the school. She's "popped in" to see how we all are / spy twice today already. These are the tyoe of people the Stasi would have snapped up.

Just making herself look busy- if she wasn't interfering in your teaching, she would probably have fuck-all to do Grin
Iamnotthe1 · 07/01/2021 14:24

@phlebasconsidered

My micro managing DH has herself able to see every single google classroom and comment on everything as she "needs to monitor quality".

Our head is constantly walking around the school. She's "popped in" to see how we all are / spy twice today already. These are the tyoe of people the Stasi would have snapped up.

My head was normally quite out and about during pre-coronavirus times though it was far more about knowing what the reality of the school was and helping out then checking up. Seeing the head open the door normally resulted in a "Oh great - Adam's struggling with the remainders in long division - could you have a look at it with him? Thanks."
Original poster
Workyticket · 07/01/2021 14:59

They've started - fuckers

OP posts:
Subordinateclause · 07/01/2021 20:11

Shocking. What a ridiculous proposal.

Original poster
Workyticket · 07/01/2021 21:14

My line manager just added himself to one of my Teams. I've deleted him.

OP posts:
Lyla6789 · 08/01/2021 00:54

I am gobsmacked this is happening! There should be no observations at a time like this!!

Original poster
Workyticket · 08/01/2021 14:58

Yep... they're just 'supportive' observations obviously.

My blood is boiling after a meeting about them.

OP posts:
Clarabellawilliamson · 08/01/2021 17:02

Yeah, we are having 'pop ups'/ drop ins to live lessons next week ...

Clarabellawilliamson · 08/01/2021 17:03

Thing is, we record all lessons anyway- so why can't they just watch the recordings?! It would feel less intrusive to me

MrsHamlet · 08/01/2021 20:31

@Workyticket

My line manager just added himself to one of my Teams. I've deleted him.
This made me laugh!!?
Maisiecow · 19/01/2021 13:24

Yes. We’re getting observations on Teams (they’re to support our personal development don’t you know). IMO notifying unions is pretty pointless as nothing ever changes. Nowadays, I just tend to ‘suck it up’. I was jaded and burned out before COVID, now I think I’m just numb from it all. If they don’t like what I’m doing, then so be it (big sigh).

Original poster
Workyticket · 19/01/2021 14:48

Our union has had them stopped! Still having walkthroughs (I've ignored the requests to be added so far 🙃) but not full observations

OP posts:
WombatChocolate · 20/01/2021 16:42

You’d think they could wait until we are into the 2nd month at least wouldn’t you?

There’s all kinds of daft ness going on....so obviously all the planning for remote teaching and making different resources, but at our place, also wheeling out several new initiatives which require meetings, focus groups and production of lots of paperwork. I mean....is it really the right moment for that stuff?