Anyone prefer teaching KS3?

[PumpkinPie2016]

I don't have much KS3 teaching this year (2 Y9 lessons p/w) as I was needed on Y11 and my 6th Form clashed (I teach Physics and there is only one other specialist who hasn't taught Y13 before).

Totally fair enough but I do feel sad not to have more KS3. In normal times, I absolutely love teaching KS3 - they're so curious, love doing experiments etc. I still love teaching A-level and GCSE but conversations with colleagues (not just current ones but previous colleagues too) have shown that there seem to be so many people who actively dislike teaching KS3. Maybe it depends on the subject but I notice it from other Science teachers too.

So, does anyone like/prefer KS3? If not, why?
Just curious

[cardibach]

I don’t dislike KS3, but I love my subject and to really get into teaching it as I want I need KS4 or 5.

[Frlrlrubert]

I love year 7, they're so fresh and enthusiastic and amazed by everything. Year 8 not so much. Year 9 are hit and miss, but they currently start KS4 then for us, I think they might be better once we go back to them being KS3.

[WhenSheWasBad]

I adore my year 8s, year 7s are awesome but trying to teach the how to use teams in lockdown has seriously taken its toll.

Really not keen on year 9s maybe they will get a little more serious once they’ve picked their options.

I like KS3 but I do find them quite tiring (I have so much respect for primary school teachers). I watch my kids ones on zoom occasionally, they are amazing.

[2ndMrsdeWinter]

No, I don’t like teaching KS3 - they’re fussy and they annoy me most of the time. I really love teaching Year 10, especially when you’ve had a class for a year or two already and you’ve built up that relationship with them.

[GrammarTeacher]

KS5 is my favourite and KS4 is ok. I really dislike the silly questions in KS3. I suspect part of that is actually them trying to get attention in a very Karrie class though. This year I am loving my Year 9s though.

[ValancyRedfern]

I love Ks3. I used to teach in a middle school which was awesome. I used to much prefer it to KS4 but now I'd say I love them equally (depending on the class, I don't love all of them...)

[MadameMinimes]

I haven’t taught KS3 for a couple of years and miss it but I also appreciate that for the vast majority of my teaching career I’ve tended to only have a few lessons of key stage 3 per week. I had a mostly A Level timetable as an NQT and since then have tended to teach mostly KS4 and 5, so my KS3 lessons have always felt like a bit of a change. If the bulk of your timetable is key stage 3 then I can see why it can get very wearing. Some colleagues teach several classes in one year group at KS3 and that presumably gets quite repetitive. I can see why they look forward to their few lessons a week of GCSE and/or A level.

[Staffdontblowitnow]

No. KS3 too needy and sometimes I don't have the patience to deal with all their individual needs and wants.

And I would be an absolutely rubbish Primary teacher - all those parents just makes me shudder.

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

I love year 9! Possibly because we do my favourite topics then; introduction to genetics and health. Seeing them set up ready for gcse and how far they have come since year 7 is fantastic.

I’ve had top set year 8 for a couple of years. I find them rather obnoxious.