The Fifty-Sixth Republic - Who is up for a game of TAG?

[StaffRepFeistyClub]

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.

Do not give the staffroom password to non-staff as it attracts the wrong sort of crowd.

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. Do not sit on the chairs and do wear a mask

Chocolate and an early night - yes.
Ignore uni for nor - they can wait.

What are the consequences for your kids? At the moment we mainly have "stern word" and it's hard. Really bloody hard.

I've just reread that Guardian article again and actually now I'm furious. Where was the fucking Guardian when all that was going on? Certainly not reporting what teachers like Donna were trying to tell them, what the evidence clearly showed - that schools were not safe.

They played their part by dutifully ignoring the slow-motion car crash that caused that poor woman's death.

We still have a removal system that is within bubble. So students can be taken out of the classroom for the rest of the lesson plus their next lesson. After school detentions still happening and lots of phonecalls home. These phonecalls tend uncover MH issues with kids/parents or other lockdown related problems.

name You sound so caring and enthusiastic. You have been given a job at your school so must have impressed them.

Ange if you get it all back as one payment, consider student loan and pension. It may work out better to have a few smaller payments. Can't quite remember all the rules but one off lump sums can reduce quickly if you tip into the next percentage banding for either.

Cheers for allowing my exasperated ranting.

We’re doing assessments in exam hall now for Maths. Three papers we’ve taken out topics we didn’t teach and added the off question here and there. We’re marking and triple moderating the papers and those will be the basis of our evidence. I’ve heard rumours we need their books but mine have all taken them to revise from. I cannot see exam boards looking at any of this unless they have issues with a school. I don’t think they have him the manpower tbh.

for all of you in secondary exam years. It sounds horrific.

Name - I agree with PP - chocolate and an early night is your priority now. What year group are you teaching at the moment? Does your behaviour policy allow for consequences such as a missed playtime? If so, make it absolutely clear to the children that their behaviour is unacceptable and must stop, otherwise the consequence will happen. And then stick to it. No ifs or buts or exceptions. It might take a few missed playtimes but they will get the message eventually.

I quite like the idea of Edexcel having to wade through a bunch of exercise books with penises drawn in them, and that stupid S graffiti thing that never goes out of fashion.

It's not just about manpower, it's about the fact that it's completely meaningless when trying to decide a grade for a student

that stupid S graffiti thing that never goes out of fashion.
Yes... what is that?!

So beh policy 2 mins off golden time, doubled to 4 and then in school detention. However this seems to make no diff at all to one child, nor does lavishing praise. I'm stuck as to where to go next. But it's incredibly disruptive for everyone.

Also need to work on listening / following instructions. In fact the only tlme they can sit in silence is when there's a video clip playing.

Today I was that moany woman and I don't want to be that. I want them to want to come in to class, to want to learn, to feel safe, to have a bit of fun.

But I can't do it. Sleep, then re group before tomorrow.

You can do it.
It's a war of attrition. Don't show that you're annoyed - bored that you're having to deal with this AGAIN - but keep going.
It sounds like this needs back up from above. Not because it's you, but because it sounds relentless.
I couldn't do your job.

@HercwasanEnemyofEducation, "Ange if you get it all back as one payment, consider student loan and pension."
You're VERY sweet, but I'm way too old for a student loan!

I'm just depressed I'll never pay mine back so it will be an outgoing forever!

Name - stick to your guns. What does the policy say beyond in-school detention? Can you escalate it to phase leader, for example? I am suggesting this not because I think you have a problem with managing the class but because sometimes if there is one disruptive individual, a change of face helps. Especially if that face is senior and stern. Could the disruptive element sit out their next playtime outside senior person's room? (Normally I'd suggest in the room, but bubbles obviously preclude that).

Name, I'd also consider speaking to parents about behaviour, depending on circumstances. It would be good to know if they are also playing up at home, plus if you're lucky the parents will be on side with you.

We did try that today, they thought it was a treat! Having an internal exclusion tomorrow. We're pretty sure there are other issues at play but I'm just following the policy as not really sure what else to do.
Really not looking forward to tomorrow though. And I had such a good week last week.

Teaching is like herding cats. This is not unusual - you just get more used to cat herding 😂

@HarrietDVane parents also spoken to today. Similar picture at home. Grateful for child to be in school!

It's not just about manpower, it's about the fact that it's completely meaningless when trying to decide a grade for a student

Totally agree.

How did the senior person handle it? Did they make it clear it wasn't a good thing? I'm not above sending mine for an old-fashioned shouty bollocking from my phase lead if they push their luck too far. It helps that he's male and looks intimidating though! (I wish the fact that he is a man wasn't a factor, but I suspect it is).

Wow. Just read that Guardian article about poor Donna. It has brought it all back - the insanity that was schools back in December and before/as term began. I was more stressed about it than I've ever been about anything in my life. And then we were subject to all the shit-throwing and denial on here too.

That was such a sad article. That poor woman

A wee job application question - is there any good way to answer the question "reason for leaving" - for a sideways move, when the reality is location and a bit fed up??

"Change in personal circumstances"

That might work, thanks Mrs H.

I was more stressed about it than I've ever been about anything in my life.

So was I. My sleep was SO bad November/December time.

That article brought me to tears. That poor teacher and her family.