r/TeachingUK

My schools had job adverts out since January looking for a September start and we’ve had almost nothing! There just aren’t any decent English teachers currently looking.
I messaged my old uni to see if they had any good PGCE students who would be a good ECT1 but they had so few applicants that the English program didn’t run this year.
We can JUST make it work for next year with the team we have but we’ll be stretched to breaking point!
What happened to all the English Teachers?

Saw this article day the government should consider a maximum working temperature based of Spains model which sets the temperature as 27 degrees for sedimentary work. Currently working in an old school with minimum AC through out the site with a classroom that hit 23 degrees yesterday when it was actually cold outside and wondering what the government would actually do if they passed a law like this as I doubt mine and other schools would ger given the funding we need to install the AC units to hit that temperature range

Man, year 7 have nearly done me in this year. I have never struggled with a class as much as this in my many years of teaching. I am at my wits’ end with the immaturity - and it hasn’t improved although they’re nearly in year 8. The calling out, constant silliness, constant tattle taling, absolute lack of awareness or empathy, and not seeming to care about sanctions, detentions etc. I would rather deal with defiant 6ft tall year 11s swearing at me than all this bonkers immature nonsense. It’s absolutely wearing me out. It’s just relentless. The narrating constantly. Don’t even get me started on the ‘6 7’ ‘good boy’ stuff. I’m not having success with any of my usual behaviour management strategies so I wondered if any amazing primary colleagues have some magic suggestions?!

Has anyone had Ofsted come along on a school trip? What do they expect to get from it?

Advice please!

3 years ago I was given small TLR for running an extra curricular scheme. I was given no extra time for this and it ended up being quite time consuming, but I didn’t mind as it was a quite an enjoyable role which utilised my skill set well and I was being paid what I thought was a fair amount for it.

It was never made explicit or clear to me that this was a ‘temporary’ or ‘fixed term’ TLR. I understand now that this does apply to TLR3s but a time period was never laid out when I was offered the role. I have now been told that the term is ending and they are giving my role to a member of SLT to deal with instead.

I’m devastated. Aside from the fact I have put so much hard work and effort into the role and have had great success with it (which is clearly unappreciated), this is a fairly significant loss of income for me. It’s worth mentioning that I am pregnant so this lower income will come into effect when I return to work after mat leave. I’m really worried about the loss of income with a baby on the way.

Is there anything I can do? Have they broken any rules? I feel dejected.

TIA

Hi I wondered if anyone knew how long it takes for the union to get back to you please?

We have no workplace rep, the branch rep hasn’t replied in over a week and Im now waiting for a reply from the advice line as worrying noone is getting back to me and desperately need advice from them about workplace issue.

I cant find in their website how long a timeframe it should be to expect a reply. Thanks.

Update: thanks for the responses everyone. The advice line got back to me today.

I had a successful job interview on Monday and got verbally offered the job over the phone but haven't heard anything from the school since. How long does it usually take to hear more information?

For context, I'm support staff and not a teacher.

My colleagues and I are rapidly losing faith in our leadership. Our students constantly speak to us like dirt (really vile attitude), eye roll, ignoring safety requests, rules, expectations, just down right don't listen to us at all. We inform management and nothing is done. So the children know they can get away with it and the poor behaviour escalates. It's spreading like a poison. We're verbally abused, we're left to deal with poor behaviour on our own, we're firefighting and sometimes they're nowhere to be seen. We had a really challenging behaviour incident recently and SLT walked in, straight back out and left us to it. No support at all. We've had attacks, items thrown and nothing ("they're sorry now so it's all okay") but then the violent behaviour happened again immediately after. No phone call home, nothing.

We're at our wits' end. Do we go to our union or try and group together to speak to our slt first? Has anyone any experience or advice please as this is really affecting our working and personal lives

I’m looking for some advice as I’m feeling quite anxious about my current situation and I’m also speaking to my union representative about it tomorrow.
I’ve recently been asked to complete a medical questionnaire for a new job offer. I have a long-term medical condition which mainly affects me when sitting for long periods, but it does not impact my ability to carry out my job duties. The only adjustment I need is a standing/adjustable desk.
My concern is that the medical questionnaire, taken on its own, might make the condition appear more severe or less manageable than it actually is now. I’m worried this could be misinterpreted without context, and I’m also anxious that there is a risk my job offer could be rescinded once I disclose it.
I’m trying to be transparent and honest, but I also want to make sure I approach this in the right way so I don’t negatively impact my offer unnecessarily.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, or have any advice on how best to handle disclosure and reasonable adjustments at this stage? Any insight would be really appreciated.

I might need to have an operation in the next 6-12 months but this isn’t a definite.

The condition could be classed as a disability due to how long I have had this and its impact on my quality of life.

Are they likely to rescind the offer based on if I disclose my medical condition?

I have had 40 days off in the last two years due to the condition. Can they rescind the offer based on this?

I have signed the contract, and handed in my notice at my current school. I’m so worried that my new school will find out about this and rescind everything and I will be without a job come September.

A job for a SEN TA has opened up nearby. I currently work in the sen provision in a mainstream school. I'll be honest 50% of the stresses from my current role come from lack of school budget - we are so understaffed - across the whole school. There are resources we cant buy due to budget, ect.

This new role had lots of perks as well as a few grand extra a year in pay, and I know sen schools have much better budget allowances.

Has anyone else taken the leap from SEN provision in mainstream, to full on SEN school? Or the other way around? How did you find the change?

I’m a secondary school pastoral lead and one of the students I work closely with is currently in hospital following a suicide attempt. She's in Y9.

I've had had a significant pastoral role in supporting her over time. I’ve been wondering whether it would be appropriate to ask my DSL if I could visit her in hospital, alongside another member of staff (safeguarding or inclusion staff), to show support and let her know people at school care about her.

I’m very aware of professional boundaries and would obviously only do anything if parents/hospital/student were comfortable with it and school approved it.

From an outside perspective, does this seem caring and appropriate, or potentially crossing a professional boundary? I genuinely can’t tell whether this is something schools sometimes do or whether it would be viewed as inappropriate involvement.

Hi, To follow up from my previous post about illness.

I have been informed that due to that and other issues my mentor has brought forward, I will have a meeting tomorrow to discuss a support plan. Can anyone give me advice? Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do or should do to protect myself?

These are the reasons listed:

Absence

I was Ill today and yesterday and last Friday (I have 1 lesson on Friday so thats not a big hit for my hours) but in on Monday (which I probably shouldnt have been becuase I exhausted myself).

I was told by a school that is hiring to come and visit the school but uni has told me I cant unless its a interview.

Communication

I told my Mentor as soon as I had decided for both days, but did not tell my Uni (I forgot to do that today and didnt know prior to today that I had to so fair cop there). Also My mentor knew I was ill and even told me to go home on Monday. Other than 1 interview I have had no other absences all year.

Lesson preparation

I have been planning my lessons. I did forget to print physical copies of a homework for a class last week. I realise have forgot to send lesson plans to my mentor but this has not been pointed out as if it had I would have just sent them. I have discussed with my mentor what I was planning to do in lessons.

Placement progress

Im not 100% sure what this means? My teaching last week wasnt my best as I was under the weather all week. I am a bit behind with marking which is almost done now.

I am very anxious about being put on a support plan because I did teach first last year and failed because I was stuck on one for 5 months (It required my subject person to meet with me and they did not respond to emails).

I have been working virtually none stop for weeks now and I am so close to finishing the course but I have anxeity and am panicing about this.

Hi guys. I’m about to finish my PGCE (history) without any job opportunities or even getting an interview. I’ve applied for about 15 jobs so far and heard nothing from any. I’ve had everyone from friends to mentors to SLT look at my application and they can see nothing wrong with it. At this point I’m really struggling to even find commitment for the PGCE, I’m very disheartened. I had a talk with my mentor today because I’m struggling with lessons, I’m struggling with food, I’m struggling with sleep. The stress of finding a career is too much.

Does anyone have any advice? I’ve been job hopping for 6 years now, never having a stable career. I’d move out of the UK, I’d do mat, but I’m at a point mentally where I don’t think I can continue without a career.

How do you all think this gentle approach to children’s behaviour many parents are taking is going to affect this generation growing up?

I feel like many are using it as an excuse to take the easy route of letting them off to prevent having to actually discipline their children. Often when I tell parents about their child hurting other children they often ask whether the other child provoked them. They will try and justify their child’s behaviour by saying they wouldn’t have hurt anyone if they didn’t wind them up. I do think certain children do purposefully wind up the ones they know will kicked off for some reason, but don’t think them getting punched is a valid punishment for calling another child an insult like ‘pig’ or ‘ugly’. Sometimes I worry about what these children who think it’s justified to physically lash out will be like when they’re older because it’s one thing to hit someone because you’re annoyed when you’re 8, it’s a whole other issue when you have the same reaction as an adult.

Our school has plenty of incentives for the children with challenging behaviour to behave; it aggravates the always well behaved students when they see children on a behaviour report get to go on an afternoon out for doing the absolute minimum.

How do other schools reward the kids that get it right all the time, without spending a fortune? Head of Behaviour has said the reward for these kids is getting good grades, and if we want them to receive rewards then we need to take suggestions to him, so I'm here asking for your suggestions!

I've realised I don't like being a tutor. I like working with children and having an impact in my subject, but I just don't like getting to know a group of kids extra well and seeing them every day. I go through the motions and am good at my job but it's probably my least favourite part of the day? Can the kida tell? Is it bad/normal?

Reaching out for any secondary teachers who use hearing aids. How do you handle student behaviour when they specifically target your - for want of a better word - weak spots at not being able to hear where noises are coming from? I have a few cruel students in KS4, for example, who take it in turns to make silly noises. Would appreciate any tips and tricks to feel more empowered and less like a victim. Thank you.

Basically after exactly what the title suggests. I teach in a SEND secondary and know of multiple students who are questioning either their gender or sexuality (as can be expected at secondary age).

There is currently no real support in school for these students and there are a lot of staff who are unsure of what to do.

I've been wanting to do something like this for a while but have no idea where to start. Especially from a safeguarding point of view.

Have any of you got experience doing this?

Hi everybody,

Hope you're all doing well and looking forward to a well-deserved week off.

Looking for help with something. I've been absent from my primary school job for 3 weeks now after dislocating my kneecap (at school, in the class, children had to leave the classroom, waited for the ambulance for an hour on the floor with the head providing moral support, nightmare 😅) I will not be returning until after half term due to ongoing pain, swelling, poor mobility, etc.

My issue is that my fixed term contract is up this academic year and so I am applying for jobs elsewhere, and I have been invited to interview for this Friday at another school. It involves a panel interview and a 30 minute lesson - plus a "short written task". Now that day is a 'wellbeing' day off at my school so I wouldn't have to be in anyway, but I'm worried that it looks unprofessional to be off for 3+ weeks and then to rock up to interview the minute the holidays/time off begins at my current place of work in order to go to an interview at the other institution.

My argument would be that I can just about scrape through an interview and short lesson in the pain that I am currently in, with time off again afterwards to recover, but couldn't do that for a longer period or for consecutive days. However I still worry that it looks bad - I know headteachers can 'talk' (the schools are quite close together) and my head will probably get a reference request imminently - it said on the form that they would be contacted prior to interview, which surprised me as I thought they did this afterwards, but I might have been under a misconception all along!

In short: would you go to the interview, would you let your current head know what's going on just to be up front, or say nothing as technically its a day off and so I should be allowed to do whatever I want?

Thanks in advance anybody who gets to the bottom of this essay at this time!

First time marking SATs. It's been infuriating so far (living up to expectations!) with all the technical issues. I still have questions and my team leader hasn't been able to help with them.

- WHERE do I enter my bank details for my eventual payment???

- Do I have to mark ALL questions on my list? It says I have almost 1,995 of each one, and there are loads of questions. I would check the website to get accurate numbers here, but the website isn't loading, so I can't! What happens if I don't mark all of them?

Bit overwhelmed and generally annoyed by this process so far. I know it's a notoriously rubbish experience, but I had SOME faith it'd be ok.