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Original poster

Trainee issues

11 replies

Lillypad11 · 09/12/2023 11:41

I have a trainee. I’ve taught for a few years so I’ve got a decent amount of experience. I know what I’m doing.

Ive been given a trainee, who has an extremely problematic attitude. I don’t know whether he is meaning to be rude or it’s just his personality, but I’m reaching boiling point and on Friday I snapped.

Let me explain.

  1. He never submits work with enough time for me to check it. I’ve told him this on countless occasions.
  2. I provide him with the lesson to literally adapt because his planning from scratch is poor and so he plans a whole new one that’s nothing like mine.
  3. He’s demanding, I have a maxed out TT along with other responsibilities, I have been extremely busy of late managing that and he’s hounded me for one piece of paperwork that I said I’d do when I have the time available considering there’s no deadline and I’m mock marking any time I have along with juggling other roles I play at work.
  4. His teaching is bad after 7 weeks. There’s no visible signs of improvement in this time after countless meetings and feedback opportunities. His subject knowledge is so weak that he can’t answer key questions on the text for my higher ability groups.
  5. No classroom presence. Sits at the front, gets into heated exchanges with the students unnecessarily. Doesn’t resolve conflict.
  6. when taking feedback from me in relation to constructive criticism. Will disagree with me and tell me they already did x thing.
  7. Has an abrasive attitude towards me
  8. Will constantly ask me questions while I’m working with no respect for boundaries. And I will say. Send me an email at the end of the day with all your questions
my biggest issue is the lack of subject knowledge and that my groups are being let down. I’ve complained to the university tutor and it seems they’re more interested in getting this candidate their PGCE.

Help?

OP posts:
waterdusky · 09/12/2023 12:19

Have you spoken to your school's ITT Co ordinator?

MrsHamlet · 09/12/2023 13:25

I lead ITE in my school.

You need to get this trainee on an official cause for concern process.

Late planning? He doesn't teach the lesson. More work for you but probably less stressful.

Sounds like he's failing to meet most of the standards. He needs to go.

Teapleasemilknosugar · 09/12/2023 16:56

I had one like this (Primary). They even asked me in an email if I could get the Head to write them a great reference 😂

They were put on a cause for concern pathway and to avoid failing that too, which was looking likely, they were granted an extension by the university and offered a 4w placement in another school after their placement in my school had ended. The university was only interested in churning out a 100% pass rate I think, rather than actually thinking of children or their learning.

Xil · 09/12/2023 20:31

They're all like this now and have been for a few years. The bursaries are just attracting those who don't have basic subject knowledge or work ethic.

They act like they're doing you a favour just by being there (I had one who argued with feedback and actually told me in front of my HoD that she'd delivered a lesson on her timetable to 'be nice' - genuinely believed that the cover teacher timetabled to support, in place of the absent class teacher was being paid to get an easy ride, instead of thinking she herself was there to learn and practise!!)

MrsHamlet · 09/12/2023 21:20

I actually threw a trainee out last year. The uni told me I couldn't do that. I did.

Lilllypad11 · 09/12/2023 23:43

waterdusky · 09/12/2023 12:19

Have you spoken to your school's ITT Co ordinator?

Yes! I have. I’ve raised it further. They too complained to the university and nothing was actioned. This was when the trainee was rude on the first day.

Lilllypad11 · 09/12/2023 23:45

MrsHamlet · 09/12/2023 13:25

I lead ITE in my school.

You need to get this trainee on an official cause for concern process.

Late planning? He doesn't teach the lesson. More work for you but probably less stressful.

Sounds like he's failing to meet most of the standards. He needs to go.

I’m sending an email to the provider on Tuesday once I’ve got the lead for ITE in the room doing the formal obs.

I’ve previously emailed and I just got told “bare with him. It’s early days” but all the unprofessional behaviour is now exhausting me.

Lilllypad11 · 09/12/2023 23:46

Teapleasemilknosugar · 09/12/2023 16:56

I had one like this (Primary). They even asked me in an email if I could get the Head to write them a great reference 😂

They were put on a cause for concern pathway and to avoid failing that too, which was looking likely, they were granted an extension by the university and offered a 4w placement in another school after their placement in my school had ended. The university was only interested in churning out a 100% pass rate I think, rather than actually thinking of children or their learning.

It’s come to the point my classes are fed up. They’ve asked a few times if I can just take over the lesson because they haven’t got a clue.

Lilllypad11 · 09/12/2023 23:49

MrsHamlet · 09/12/2023 21:20

I actually threw a trainee out last year. The uni told me I couldn't do that. I did.

PLEASE tell me how you did this. I’m at the end of my tether. The university genuinely don’t care. No matter what I say or do, they want me to cut this trainee as much slack as possible when both me and the ITE lead know it’s not working. I’ve raised my concerns with her and said it’s best they’re there on the next obs as it’s formal. We could also both email the uni.

Beyond this, I have no idea what to do.

MrsHamlet · 10/12/2023 08:28

It was less because he was useless than that he was rude and useless.

I emailed the university and said I was going to tell him not to come back. They said "you can't do that. There's a process."

I said "he's dreadful and I don't want him back and I don't care about your process, and you can appeal to the head (which is what they wanted to do) but he'll back me because I am in charge of this."

They asked for a grace period, whilst they spoke to him. I generously complied with that. Within 48 hours he was back to his old tricks so I contacted the uni and told them I was done and he was not permitted on site. And that was that.

The unis are compelled to pass them all because it's how ofsted judge them. I am not because I don't want to employ useless teachers - I'm also in charge of induction so I am
lumbering a version of myself for another two years, which I won't do.

If there's any chance we can improve them, then I'll work within the framework. But if they start messing me around, I start emphasising the lack of professionalism in writing every time, and sending it to the tutor as well:

X was asked for the lesson plan by y. No lesson plan therefore x could not teach the lesson.

x was asked to ensure that he knew the 3 key misconceptions about z and to plan for them. This was not complete.

x was asked to send questions by email by y time in consideration of workload and well-being. X did not.

X was told to be at room z by y time. On 6/8 occasions this week. X has been late.

And I am really honest on the end of placement form. X does not yet have the subject knowledge to teach y, and in spite of support, does not appear committed to improving in this area.

waterdusky · 10/12/2023 09:40

The problem is, your ITT co ordinator needs to be engaging with the provider to sort it it, it shouldn't be a case of they've tried and failed so they'll give up.

From your perspective, have very clear ground rules. I won't let the ITT teach if I haven't had their first draft 48 hours in advance and then have seen a final draft with with amendments made. I also want the full plan and I want to see in their planning where they are working on their targets if possible. They must have a formal review coming up, surely? So I would put in that they are failing to meet the teacher's standards.

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