Monday, 27 January 2014
#blogsync Dear Mr. Hunt
Here for what it is worth is my contribution to this month's #blogsync...an open letter to Mr Hunt MP. All other blogs can be found here
Dear Mr. Hunt,
I promise you I will try not to sound tired, drained or exhausted but as I'm sure many other blogs have revealed to you, the going is tough in schools and getting tougher.
I've been teaching for nearly 10 years and am in my 4th job and the last year has been the worst year of my teaching career. I consider myself to be a dedicated teacher, a good teacher, someone who is reliable and who gets the job done pretty much whatever it takes.
What I want to do though is tell you a story. A story about why I started a new job 3 weeks ago and why the job I loved became too much to bear.
I took my previous job at a special school for boys with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties for many reasons but they were mostly the classic teacher reasons. I wanted to make a difference and I wanted those boys to see the value in science. There was no curriculum to speak of so I wrote one, the room was a mess so I changed it round, brightened it up as best I could and with a little help got some new furniture and blinds for the windows. I did everything I could to make that room a different space and the lessons as engaging as I could.
All was well, it was hard work as I'm sure you can imagine working with 50 or so very difficult young men everyday and most days I went home exhausted but happy knowing that in a small way I was making a difference to them, even just by being there.
Then the school decided to become an academy within a well known chain.
This is where things started to go wrong. The supportive leadership became paranoid spies from somewhere else, it was like they had been invaded. Everything I did was so say good but never enough according to 'academy paperwork' but we were never given time or support to make it better. We were observed to within an inch of our lives, well above union guidelines but there was nothing anyone could do about it. Any complaint, question or query was seen as a call to war. I was accused of being negative, of being a trouble maker all because I asked a question of a new 'idea' that the head had come up with that day. What they didn't realise was how impossible it all was. Policies and how the school 'worked' changed daily, sometimes hourly depending on who was making the decisions, it was so inconsistent - the one thing you don't need a special school to be. The school went from being 'child and welfare focussed' (it was a special school after all) to suddenly being all about progress and targets and levels. The kids didn't understand what was happening and neither did we. As teachers, as human beings we all felt for these kids as they had no idea what was happening to them and it was difficult to watch many of them fight against it.
Then there was the issue of the budget. Well there wasn't much to start with but suddenly there was none, in fact I'm pretty sure we owed money. I remember going to the bursar pleading for £40 for some chemicals for the GCSE coursework and her wincing. It was awful.
I knew I wasn't well and it took a long time to face up to it. By the time I went to the doctor I'd piled on about 3 stone and cried every morning and night and sometimes at school. A 'school day' was 12 hours minimum and I was working evenings and weekends too. It put strain on my relationship and on friendships some of which are still being repaired.
The doctor diagnosed me with stress anxiety and depression and I have taken medication ever since. I'm sure you will agree that it should not be necessary to be medicated to work but this is the case for a lot of teachers I know I am not the only one!
I can't even really remember what the 'straw that broke the camel's back was' if I'm honest....those last few months were so tiring and dreadful I tend to blank it. The kid's behaviour deteriorated so badly due to the undue pressure they were being put under that we were being hit, kicked and spat at pretty much daily. Despite this the demand for 'levelled work' and 'evidence of progress' never went away - though how you complete levelled work with a child that is excluded I will never know.
It was pointed out by a colleague to the leadership team that people, good people would leave but they did nothing to stop it or make it better. There was no opportunity for career progression, responsibility or even by the end recognition. It did not matter what I said or did anymore.
So I asked about, looked about and made a difficult decision to go back into mainstream teaching. Something I actually never thought I would do and 3 weeks in I feel so much better. Do not get me wrong, it is still hard work! In myself I feel less 'dumped on from a great height' and can do my job - working with kids to help them achieve their best.
The issue, and the point of me writing this Mr Hunt is this. Mr Gove has no due regard for teacher's mental health and welfare. I'm sure if you entered into conversation with GP's, unions and the Teacher Support Network they would tell you that over the last 3 years they have seen an increase in teachers coming to them with a variety of stress related and anxiety issues.
Mr Gove needs to realise that the rate of change is unsustainable if effective curricula are to be introduced. Last time we did this, for science in 2006 there was a raft of support from exam boards and publishers to make sure that the course was implemented in the right way. There is no support or guidance this time, and even if there was most schools could not afford it.
I am in charge of writing and implementing the new Key Stage 3 curriculum for science at my school ready for teaching to Year 7 in September of this year. Do you want to know where I am getting my support and help from. My teacher colleagues on Twitter. Yes Mr Hunt you heard right Twitter.
Do you not agree that we as teachers, we who deliver the courses and have done for years are the experts here?
Maybe if you were in charge of this you would listen to us, put some experienced teachers and experts back in charge of education in this country and leave the politics out of it. The future of this country, the future generations do not deserve to have their education treated as it is now, as a hot potato for some ex-journalist and other windbags to throw around as if it does not matter. It matters to us, otherwise we would not give up our time and energy to write to you about it.
Also, for the record, I am a Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach) with the Association of Science Education. Surely this means I am licensed to teach? I really don't need another hoop to jump through....
Kind Regards
@specialsciteach
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
#Nurture1314
I haven't blogged for a while, I'm a bit out of practice. Work (as many of you know) has been terrible but I am finally 'out of there' and starting a new job on the 6th of January. I am relieved, happy, sad and terrified all rolled into one! At the time it was best to keep myself to myself and not blog about things that were getting so awful....I wasn't sure it would help and sympathy wasn't what I needed. I concentrated on getting the new role and it paid off.
So here is my bash at #Nurture1314 as suggested by @ChocoTzar...I did one last year so I guess a good place to start is there....with the things I said I would do.
Fit and slim....no (failed due to a long standing back issue)
Care less about others and what they think......check. For now at least.
Worry less and be a leader....getting there
Enjoy vegetables....work in progress
Find a NSEW Speaker.....done!
Holiday.....check!
Balance better.....hope to in the new role
Have faith....check!
Attend a teachmeet....oh yes!
Career thoughts.....a plan is formulating
Hobbies....yes!
Besties....not really but we talk more on the phone
CSciTeach......yes!
So I had a reasonably successful 2013 it would appear, I set out to achieve some things and managed 8 completely! I'm quite pleased really, having got lost in the mire of a difficult school in a difficult situation it was totally lost on me what I have actually achieved. I sit here with a smile ready to do it all over again.
So here goes the lists:
13 Great things in 2013 in no particular chronological order
1. Buying a house! Oh yes we did! Not moved in yet but we should be completing and exchanging in the next few weeks. It's a proper project house which will be fun. Can't wait to get painting!
2. Accepting a new challenge. After nearly 4 years working in the SEN sector which I have absolutely loved and would recommend to anyone (if you want to know whether you can teach or not, work in a BESD school - they vote with their feet!) it was time to say goodbye and accept a new challenge. I was approached by a mainstream school head of science who I know well who was desperate for a 2i/c who could do the job. She said did I fancy it and I said yes without too much hesitation. It's going to be a real challenge to adjust back into mainstream life (lots of kids, big classes, girls, marking lots) but I think it will be worth it and is the right decision for me to move into the future.
3.Ofsted - back in January I was Ofsteded all by myself as they came and did a subject survey of science at my school. Terrifying but rewarding for me. I was told I, and the department was good with outstanding features and the work I did would be featured in Ofsted's national review of science in special schools. A year down the line and I have seen no report however I blogged about the experience at the time so you can read for yourselves.
4. CSciTeach and ASE website. As a result of going to the ASE Conference in January I applied for CSciTeach though was not sure I would get it....but I did! I've just filled in my paperwork in order to keep it so fingers crossed. My new role will also provide plenty of evidence for this once I get started! I was also contacted by the ASE about some of my literacy blog being used on their website in the new members area....still waiting to hear about this but it is happening!
5. Teachmeet Clevedon - was awesome! It was great to see so many people there and meet many twitter people face to face. Can't wait to see @hrogerson, @KDWScience @lizdudley and many others again. On top of that the keynote was delivered by @HYWEL_ROBERTS who is brilliant, if you haven't read his 'Ooops' book yet where have you been?!?!?
6. Working with another school was a success this year. Through the academy chain of my special school I did some work supporting science in another special school in Dursley. We talked through what they wanted and needed much of which I was able to provide there and then to support. It's nice to know my hard work is appreciate is 2 parts of the country.
7. Going to the US of A and Canada in the summer holidays was a great experience and a very relaxing break. Go to Niagara Falls it is the most amazing place (Canada side obviously)
8. Respect from SLT....something I was struggling to gain but was never sure why. It took me to hand in my notice for them to realise quite what I was doing and what they were losing. It should not have come to that and serves as a warning to any current or potential SLT, don't forget how hard people work in the background to keep a school running day to day, if you do you might lose a good thing.
9. Mentoring 2 student teachers has been very rewarding for me this year and successful. I feel as if it affirmed the fact that I knew what I was doing and was in a position to help them with their individual needs.
10. Being me and being OK with that. Not much to add here, but I sure feel better.
11. Growing my hair has been a long drawn out challenge and seems silly listed here but the number of times I nearly gave in and went in for the 'crop.' Right now I have a very short bob like mess....some way to go yet!
12. Taking my meds and feeling better. Now my meds are sorted out dosage wise and timing wise I feel so much better in myself. I'm hoping to come off of them slowly as next year progresses but with the new job and house move I'm concerned about doing too much too soon. I intend to keep a positive diary about good things that happen everyday to try and focus on the positive and not get down about things.
13. My friend's baby son. He is awesome and has removed a lot of my baby fear. For a while I was scared to even hold a small baby so being around him has really helped. Silly, but at nearly 32 quite important.....
14 Hopes for 2014 (harder this!)
1. Blog more! In my new role I will likely have lots more to blog about whilst continuing my interest in all things SEN and BESD. As a 2i/c science I am going to be working with less experienced staff to bring them on as well as develop new Key Stage 3 science curriculum ready for September - busy times!
2. Meet up with Twitter friends including @kohlmand who is local to me and @Gwenelope cus we said we really should.
3. Become a successful leader in my new role. This is going to take time and I know I am going to make mistakes at times. That's OK, I'm not perfect! I'm learning this slowly but really want to make a success of this new job.
4. Decorate the house without going broke! Obvious but let's see....the o/h has plans for expensive kitchens and taking walls down :)
5. Get fit and slim...yeah again. Might stand more of a chance as there is a gym on site at my new school.
6. Be published somewhere as me, not the pseudonym. The ASE approaching me about using my ideas on their website has given me confidence in what I am doing online and I really hope that some opportunities might come my way to be published someday.
7. Eat better...she says whilst munching on Maltesers. Let's get rid of all the Christmas goodies first but I might try a bit of this 5-2 diet along with the Hairy Dieters books (again if you want low calorie tasty food the recipes in those are fab!)
8. Go to more Teachmeets, maybe even present. I need to get to more Teachmeets locally this year and do some local networking. I think this will be easier now I am back in the mainstream sector....people might be more willing to listen/talk.
9. Use my camera properly including the manual mode. Now I have a full DSLR camera I need slowly learn how to use it properly. It's great fun trying out different things.
10. Carry on with #TwitterCoaching with @Mat6453. #TwitterCoaching was started by @ASTsupportAAli and seems to be a great success. Mat and I have chatted about the new role and intend to chat more once I've got a handle of what I'm doing. It's nice to chat to someone impartial and professional who knows what you're going through.
11. Use the ideas from Twitter and everywhere else stored in Dropbox and Pocket. I've got lots of ideas stored away which I want to try. Foldables being right at the top of the list.
12. iPad. I get one of these gadgets with my new role and need some lessons in how it can help me both in organisation, apps and in the classroom. 1 device in the classroom limits the options but I want to explore what it can do and have fun doing it.
13. Go to more concerts and theatre because we all need a bit of culture in our lives. I love watching concerts as I play in them it's great to see it from the other side.
14. Don't want to jinx it but....who knows what might happen next year?! After all we have bought a house.... ;)
Happy New Year to readers new and old.
I really hope to pick up my blogging and 'join in' more next year. #ASEChat has also been neglected along with this blog but I look forward to 'working with' you all in the New Year. For now, there are guests arriving in T-minus 3 hours....best get cooking and cleaning :)
x
So here is my bash at #Nurture1314 as suggested by @ChocoTzar...I did one last year so I guess a good place to start is there....with the things I said I would do.
Fit and slim....no (failed due to a long standing back issue)
Care less about others and what they think......check. For now at least.
Worry less and be a leader....getting there
Enjoy vegetables....work in progress
Find a NSEW Speaker.....done!
Holiday.....check!
Balance better.....hope to in the new role
Have faith....check!
Attend a teachmeet....oh yes!
Career thoughts.....a plan is formulating
Hobbies....yes!
Besties....not really but we talk more on the phone
CSciTeach......yes!
So I had a reasonably successful 2013 it would appear, I set out to achieve some things and managed 8 completely! I'm quite pleased really, having got lost in the mire of a difficult school in a difficult situation it was totally lost on me what I have actually achieved. I sit here with a smile ready to do it all over again.
So here goes the lists:
13 Great things in 2013 in no particular chronological order
1. Buying a house! Oh yes we did! Not moved in yet but we should be completing and exchanging in the next few weeks. It's a proper project house which will be fun. Can't wait to get painting!
2. Accepting a new challenge. After nearly 4 years working in the SEN sector which I have absolutely loved and would recommend to anyone (if you want to know whether you can teach or not, work in a BESD school - they vote with their feet!) it was time to say goodbye and accept a new challenge. I was approached by a mainstream school head of science who I know well who was desperate for a 2i/c who could do the job. She said did I fancy it and I said yes without too much hesitation. It's going to be a real challenge to adjust back into mainstream life (lots of kids, big classes, girls, marking lots) but I think it will be worth it and is the right decision for me to move into the future.
3.Ofsted - back in January I was Ofsteded all by myself as they came and did a subject survey of science at my school. Terrifying but rewarding for me. I was told I, and the department was good with outstanding features and the work I did would be featured in Ofsted's national review of science in special schools. A year down the line and I have seen no report however I blogged about the experience at the time so you can read for yourselves.
4. CSciTeach and ASE website. As a result of going to the ASE Conference in January I applied for CSciTeach though was not sure I would get it....but I did! I've just filled in my paperwork in order to keep it so fingers crossed. My new role will also provide plenty of evidence for this once I get started! I was also contacted by the ASE about some of my literacy blog being used on their website in the new members area....still waiting to hear about this but it is happening!
5. Teachmeet Clevedon - was awesome! It was great to see so many people there and meet many twitter people face to face. Can't wait to see @hrogerson, @KDWScience @lizdudley and many others again. On top of that the keynote was delivered by @HYWEL_ROBERTS who is brilliant, if you haven't read his 'Ooops' book yet where have you been?!?!?
6. Working with another school was a success this year. Through the academy chain of my special school I did some work supporting science in another special school in Dursley. We talked through what they wanted and needed much of which I was able to provide there and then to support. It's nice to know my hard work is appreciate is 2 parts of the country.
7. Going to the US of A and Canada in the summer holidays was a great experience and a very relaxing break. Go to Niagara Falls it is the most amazing place (Canada side obviously)
8. Respect from SLT....something I was struggling to gain but was never sure why. It took me to hand in my notice for them to realise quite what I was doing and what they were losing. It should not have come to that and serves as a warning to any current or potential SLT, don't forget how hard people work in the background to keep a school running day to day, if you do you might lose a good thing.
9. Mentoring 2 student teachers has been very rewarding for me this year and successful. I feel as if it affirmed the fact that I knew what I was doing and was in a position to help them with their individual needs.
10. Being me and being OK with that. Not much to add here, but I sure feel better.
11. Growing my hair has been a long drawn out challenge and seems silly listed here but the number of times I nearly gave in and went in for the 'crop.' Right now I have a very short bob like mess....some way to go yet!
12. Taking my meds and feeling better. Now my meds are sorted out dosage wise and timing wise I feel so much better in myself. I'm hoping to come off of them slowly as next year progresses but with the new job and house move I'm concerned about doing too much too soon. I intend to keep a positive diary about good things that happen everyday to try and focus on the positive and not get down about things.
13. My friend's baby son. He is awesome and has removed a lot of my baby fear. For a while I was scared to even hold a small baby so being around him has really helped. Silly, but at nearly 32 quite important.....
14 Hopes for 2014 (harder this!)
1. Blog more! In my new role I will likely have lots more to blog about whilst continuing my interest in all things SEN and BESD. As a 2i/c science I am going to be working with less experienced staff to bring them on as well as develop new Key Stage 3 science curriculum ready for September - busy times!
2. Meet up with Twitter friends including @kohlmand who is local to me and @Gwenelope cus we said we really should.
3. Become a successful leader in my new role. This is going to take time and I know I am going to make mistakes at times. That's OK, I'm not perfect! I'm learning this slowly but really want to make a success of this new job.
4. Decorate the house without going broke! Obvious but let's see....the o/h has plans for expensive kitchens and taking walls down :)
5. Get fit and slim...yeah again. Might stand more of a chance as there is a gym on site at my new school.
6. Be published somewhere as me, not the pseudonym. The ASE approaching me about using my ideas on their website has given me confidence in what I am doing online and I really hope that some opportunities might come my way to be published someday.
7. Eat better...she says whilst munching on Maltesers. Let's get rid of all the Christmas goodies first but I might try a bit of this 5-2 diet along with the Hairy Dieters books (again if you want low calorie tasty food the recipes in those are fab!)
8. Go to more Teachmeets, maybe even present. I need to get to more Teachmeets locally this year and do some local networking. I think this will be easier now I am back in the mainstream sector....people might be more willing to listen/talk.
9. Use my camera properly including the manual mode. Now I have a full DSLR camera I need slowly learn how to use it properly. It's great fun trying out different things.
10. Carry on with #TwitterCoaching with @Mat6453. #TwitterCoaching was started by @ASTsupportAAli and seems to be a great success. Mat and I have chatted about the new role and intend to chat more once I've got a handle of what I'm doing. It's nice to chat to someone impartial and professional who knows what you're going through.
11. Use the ideas from Twitter and everywhere else stored in Dropbox and Pocket. I've got lots of ideas stored away which I want to try. Foldables being right at the top of the list.
12. iPad. I get one of these gadgets with my new role and need some lessons in how it can help me both in organisation, apps and in the classroom. 1 device in the classroom limits the options but I want to explore what it can do and have fun doing it.
13. Go to more concerts and theatre because we all need a bit of culture in our lives. I love watching concerts as I play in them it's great to see it from the other side.
14. Don't want to jinx it but....who knows what might happen next year?! After all we have bought a house.... ;)
Happy New Year to readers new and old.
I really hope to pick up my blogging and 'join in' more next year. #ASEChat has also been neglected along with this blog but I look forward to 'working with' you all in the New Year. For now, there are guests arriving in T-minus 3 hours....best get cooking and cleaning :)
x
Friday, 1 November 2013
Half term bloggyness
Today heralds the end of half term. The weekend will be a normal weekend. Time with my partner on Saturday and planning/prep for the working week on Sunday.
This half term I have worked for a day and a half. I could've done an awful lot more but to be honest I was so shattered at the end of last week I would be doing my body a disservice if I had tried. I've prepared the documents for Year 11 coursework and marked all the books. I have some ideas in mind because we are expecting the 'big O' any day once we go back. Let them come I say.
Arrogant? Well no. I've just realised a few things over the last few weeks. I've realised that I am an awful lot better at my job then I think I am. That I have ideas, good ideas that are worth speaking about to colleagues and others and that said colleagues respect me far more than I thought.
What has prompted this, well some observation feedback from my deputy head which, though contentious at points was very constructive and pointed out that I was doing myself down (although if I hear the phrase 'but Ofsted want' again I might kill him!!)
Also the input of the Twitter family of teachers supporting me through some difficult times. Many of you are aware how difficult my current situation has become and my increasing want to leave for pastures new. Well I am departing, at Christmas. This is amazing and awfully sad at the same time. I love the boys I teach, they are very special for a lot of reasons but for the first time in a while I have to put myself first.
I'm feeling quite scared about the new role but massively excited. It's back in mainstream, second in the science department. I don't know much more as I write. The atmosphere at the school seems massively positive and I am really looking forward to being part of it. I'm a bit scared about what is going to be asked of me, the marking, teaching big classes again which include teenage girls (heaven forbid) but its going to be great. I'm going to make the role my own and I'm going to take any hints and tips that come my way about leadership.
I am purposely avoiding the issues of half term for education. QTS or no QTS? and the GCSE Reforms. That said here is my small contributon
I had Mr Gove lighting up my TV back on Wednesday. It was mortifying and I did not last long, qudos to the twitter commentary! Frankly the debate was advertising for free schools and defense of independent ones. Nothing to do with whether there is any benefit of QTS or not. What I see is that teachers need to be 'trained' - BEd, PGCE, TeachFirst....whatever, but training about children, classroom management, behaviour management and all that stuff that allows us to do our jobs effectively. All QTS seems to do is confirm that you have enough basic Literacy and Numeracy to pass the QTS tests, it does not measure your ability to teach children which I find a bit worrying. The claim the government were trying to make about teachers without QTS losing their jobs is invalid. Surely if they are great teachers they would get through QTS easily and would simply 'work towards' it, whatever 'it' is.
As for the GCSE reforms, I haven't even looked at the moment. It all feels too much too fast without a safety net. There are real issues around science education mainly surrounding how you assess practical work, how much as a percentage this should be and its place in the GCSE. There are also issues with moving concepts down from A-Level into the GCSE which speaking as a teacher of SEND children are going to be challenging. Many of the children I teach are immature and lacking in basic literacy skills. They struggle with science, the technical language is a big barrier so if it is going to be loaded with more they won't be able to access it. Surely with no alternative qualification seemingly valued these children which are found both in special schools and mainstream are being 'priced out' of the GCSE market.
For now I am trying to keep my head above water and concentrate on myself and my future in a new role. I really hope that we see more opposition to these silly government ideas soon, over to you Tristram Hunt.
This half term I have worked for a day and a half. I could've done an awful lot more but to be honest I was so shattered at the end of last week I would be doing my body a disservice if I had tried. I've prepared the documents for Year 11 coursework and marked all the books. I have some ideas in mind because we are expecting the 'big O' any day once we go back. Let them come I say.
Arrogant? Well no. I've just realised a few things over the last few weeks. I've realised that I am an awful lot better at my job then I think I am. That I have ideas, good ideas that are worth speaking about to colleagues and others and that said colleagues respect me far more than I thought.
What has prompted this, well some observation feedback from my deputy head which, though contentious at points was very constructive and pointed out that I was doing myself down (although if I hear the phrase 'but Ofsted want' again I might kill him!!)
Also the input of the Twitter family of teachers supporting me through some difficult times. Many of you are aware how difficult my current situation has become and my increasing want to leave for pastures new. Well I am departing, at Christmas. This is amazing and awfully sad at the same time. I love the boys I teach, they are very special for a lot of reasons but for the first time in a while I have to put myself first.
I'm feeling quite scared about the new role but massively excited. It's back in mainstream, second in the science department. I don't know much more as I write. The atmosphere at the school seems massively positive and I am really looking forward to being part of it. I'm a bit scared about what is going to be asked of me, the marking, teaching big classes again which include teenage girls (heaven forbid) but its going to be great. I'm going to make the role my own and I'm going to take any hints and tips that come my way about leadership.
I am purposely avoiding the issues of half term for education. QTS or no QTS? and the GCSE Reforms. That said here is my small contributon
I had Mr Gove lighting up my TV back on Wednesday. It was mortifying and I did not last long, qudos to the twitter commentary! Frankly the debate was advertising for free schools and defense of independent ones. Nothing to do with whether there is any benefit of QTS or not. What I see is that teachers need to be 'trained' - BEd, PGCE, TeachFirst....whatever, but training about children, classroom management, behaviour management and all that stuff that allows us to do our jobs effectively. All QTS seems to do is confirm that you have enough basic Literacy and Numeracy to pass the QTS tests, it does not measure your ability to teach children which I find a bit worrying. The claim the government were trying to make about teachers without QTS losing their jobs is invalid. Surely if they are great teachers they would get through QTS easily and would simply 'work towards' it, whatever 'it' is.
As for the GCSE reforms, I haven't even looked at the moment. It all feels too much too fast without a safety net. There are real issues around science education mainly surrounding how you assess practical work, how much as a percentage this should be and its place in the GCSE. There are also issues with moving concepts down from A-Level into the GCSE which speaking as a teacher of SEND children are going to be challenging. Many of the children I teach are immature and lacking in basic literacy skills. They struggle with science, the technical language is a big barrier so if it is going to be loaded with more they won't be able to access it. Surely with no alternative qualification seemingly valued these children which are found both in special schools and mainstream are being 'priced out' of the GCSE market.
For now I am trying to keep my head above water and concentrate on myself and my future in a new role. I really hope that we see more opposition to these silly government ideas soon, over to you Tristram Hunt.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
#blogsync September 'The Purpose of Education' Doors Open - Eyes Open
This post forms part of @Edutronic_Net 's #blogsync project. The rest of the posts for this topic can be found here
Fundamentally, as I was musing about this topic, something I feel really strongly about as a teacher of boys with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties. I basically wanted to write 2 words. Doors Open.....but then Sue Cowley beat me to it here with her brilliant post. Darn it!
I cannot begin to tell you how important this is. We battle every single day to keep as many doors, windows and other metaphorical openings as wide open as possible for our kids for as long as possible despite the fact a lot of them are battling to kick them as firmly shut they can. We battle to open these doors further by improving basic literacy and numeracy, things that should have been done long before they got to secondary school. We fight with them for those C grades so they don't have to resit GCSEs at college when they are actually doing something they want to do.
We put up with the swearing and hitting and kicking as they grow up, as we know, in the most part by the time they get to year 11 they will have stopped. We spend time putting boundaries in place and saying no, working on teamwork and cooperation because these skills are important for the future.
The kids I teach are clueless in the most part. They do not understand why they have to keep these doors open and most do not have parents able to explain to them. They still believe even now that a life on benefits is a possibility so why work?? Maybe there is a bit of a case for 'Eyes Open' here too - showing our kids what is possible and what is not. Giving them ambition and ways to achieve.
We as a school, as professionals, have to improve their aspirations, their confidence and their self worth before they can even start achieving. I don't really want to reference Bloom's taxonomy and Maslow's Heirarchy of Need but you get the idea. If these kids are not provided the basics - from a cup of tea and some toast or some deodorant to help with their reading then they will never ever be able to keep their doors open.
This is what we do. This is why education is important. It's not just about those that sail through it and out of the gates with all their certificates. For me its about the ones you drag through it kicking and screaming who in front of your eyes morph into pretty decent human beings with a few certificates but a massive sense of pride. That's who I do it for and that is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
Fundamentally, as I was musing about this topic, something I feel really strongly about as a teacher of boys with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties. I basically wanted to write 2 words. Doors Open.....but then Sue Cowley beat me to it here with her brilliant post. Darn it!
I cannot begin to tell you how important this is. We battle every single day to keep as many doors, windows and other metaphorical openings as wide open as possible for our kids for as long as possible despite the fact a lot of them are battling to kick them as firmly shut they can. We battle to open these doors further by improving basic literacy and numeracy, things that should have been done long before they got to secondary school. We fight with them for those C grades so they don't have to resit GCSEs at college when they are actually doing something they want to do.
We put up with the swearing and hitting and kicking as they grow up, as we know, in the most part by the time they get to year 11 they will have stopped. We spend time putting boundaries in place and saying no, working on teamwork and cooperation because these skills are important for the future.
The kids I teach are clueless in the most part. They do not understand why they have to keep these doors open and most do not have parents able to explain to them. They still believe even now that a life on benefits is a possibility so why work?? Maybe there is a bit of a case for 'Eyes Open' here too - showing our kids what is possible and what is not. Giving them ambition and ways to achieve.
We as a school, as professionals, have to improve their aspirations, their confidence and their self worth before they can even start achieving. I don't really want to reference Bloom's taxonomy and Maslow's Heirarchy of Need but you get the idea. If these kids are not provided the basics - from a cup of tea and some toast or some deodorant to help with their reading then they will never ever be able to keep their doors open.
This is what we do. This is why education is important. It's not just about those that sail through it and out of the gates with all their certificates. For me its about the ones you drag through it kicking and screaming who in front of your eyes morph into pretty decent human beings with a few certificates but a massive sense of pride. That's who I do it for and that is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
In a bid to find employment for January....my CV!
This may seem drastic lovely readers, but here is an outline of what I have done. All names/places/dates are taken out to try and ensure my continuing if tenuous anonymity! You never know, someone might read it and want to employ me! I think it gives a pretty good idea of what I have done and what I could do given the chance. I really really want to make progress in my career and have proven I can lead on a small scale. I just need a new challenge! :)
For the record I also attend Teachmeets (as you can see from my blog) and have a reasonable following on Twitter....my PLN are brilliant! I would love to get teachers in a new school collaborating between each other and even getting some of them on Twitter and to the Teachmeets if they aren't going already, it is liberating and inspiring!
I would love to stay working with SEND kids, particularly BESD or ASD. 'Setting' not so important, might be a mainstream setting with small classes who need a teacher with experience or another Special School or PRU....
If you're out there, get in touch...check my Twitter profile for the area if you're not sure.
For the record I also attend Teachmeets (as you can see from my blog) and have a reasonable following on Twitter....my PLN are brilliant! I would love to get teachers in a new school collaborating between each other and even getting some of them on Twitter and to the Teachmeets if they aren't going already, it is liberating and inspiring!
I would love to stay working with SEND kids, particularly BESD or ASD. 'Setting' not so important, might be a mainstream setting with small classes who need a teacher with experience or another Special School or PRU....
If you're out there, get in touch...check my Twitter profile for the area if you're not sure.
Name
Address
Mobile: a number Email: an address
Education / Qualification:
dates Association of Science Education ‘Chartered Science
Teacher’ CSciTeach
dates University
BScEd (Hons) 2:1 in Education and Biology
dates School
A-Level Chemistry (B)
A-Level Biology (C)
A-Level Mathematics (C)
10 GCSE (A* - C) including Mathematics
(A),
Science (A*,A*) & English (A).
Professional Memberships:
dates A Union Grade: Member
dates Association of
Science Education Grade: Member and Chartered Science Teacher
Teaching Experience:
Some dates A Special School
Permanent:
KS3 – KS4
• Wrote Schemes of Work
for KS3 from scratch to form a cyclical and contextual curriculum where key
ideas are revisited for reinforcement. The schemes are fully resourced with
ideas for Literacy, Numeracy and ICT and include links to Personal Learning and
Thinking Skills (PLTS) and Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL)
• Designed lessons
using AQA Guide for GCSE Course to allow students to
access the GCSE course efficiently.
• Delivered and marked
Centre Assessed Unit for the old GCSE (ISA) and the new style GCSE (CAU.) Whole
samples were moderated externally and the sample was deemed accurate by
moderators.
• Operate as a class
teacher for Years 8-11 using the schemes I have developed taking into account
the Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties the boys have.
• Support and direct
our Year 7 teacher who teaches the boys in a 'primary' style to integrate
science into her topics as well as teach Year 7 myself once a week.
• Direct a technician
and teaching assistants, teaching them the science in advance if required
allowing them to support the boys effectively
• Be responsible for
the gathering and input of assessment data by providing accessible and suitably
challenging assessment tasks
• Monitor the quality
of student work, particularly with regard to literacy and numeracy
• Be available for
observation by unqualified teachers or senior leaders when required.
• Trained in many
aspects of specific Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Literacy,
please see below in Professional Development.
• Away from the
Academy, privately tutor an Additional Science candidate and an AS Biology
candidate
more dates A School
Permanent:
KS3 – KS5
KS3
- Involved in development of KS3 schemes of work to coincide with a two year KS3 curriculum and implementation of more peer and self assessment tasks as well as Assessment for Learning.
KS4
- Ensured progression of all the Key Stage 4 (KS) Applied Science groups. Had responsibility for the monitoring and management of pupil progress for both my class and a colleague’s class, meeting strict deadlines for reporting to the Deputy Head teacher for Science.
- Designed two KS4 Additional Applied Science: Chemistry GCSE schemes of work, fully resourced with ICT, Literacy, Numeracy and vocational (community and business) links.
- Redeveloped all the KS4 Applied Science schemes of work to include differentiation for SEN and G&T.
- Led redevelopment of the KS4 Additional Applied Science: Biology and Physics schemes of work to incorporate relevant local community and business (vocational) links.
- Successfully created and implemented a framework of checklists and AFL activities to support improvement in the KS4 Additional Applied Science coursework grades achieved by pupils.
- Wrote revision guides for each of the KS4 Additional Applied Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics examinations.
KS5
- Successfully co-ordinated the creation and implementation of a new KS5 AS-Level course during the 2008/2009 academic year.
- Worked in conjunction with the Chemistry department to plan and resource a framework for an out of specialism unit at A2 level.
- Managed other members of staff to implement the A2 level Applied Science course to provide a broad based curriculum to meet needs of individual pupils.
even more dates Another school
Permanent: KS3 & KS4
- Responsible for designing selected Key Stage (KS) 3 schemes of work to meet the National Curriculum (NC) requirements.
- Work in conjunction with the Head of Department to create schemes of work in preparation for the KS4 21st Century Science syllabus.
- Short and medium term planning and the development of differentiated resources to meet the individual needs of the pupils in my classes at NC KS3 and KS4 (old GCSE Double Award).
- Effectively and consistently monitored the achievements of pupils both in my Science classes, and in my tutor group.
- Regularly reviewed the progress of pupils against their social and academic targets to regularly provide feedback to pupils and parents.
- Successfully liaised with the British Association for the Advancement of Science to develop and then manage a Science Club for KS3 pupils.
Professional Development:
current school
- Two days September 2013: Promoting Positive Behaviour
- Three days over an academic year: Developing Leaders by the Institute of Education
- Termly: Heads of Science Conferences run by "some people" where I have presented and run workshops
- January 2013: Association of Science Education Conference
- January 2012: Management of Health and Safety for Heads of Science (CLEAPSS)
- 2012-2013: Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Speech and Language Difficulties and Attachment Disorder run in house by Educational Psychologists
- 2012-2013: Literacy training
- 2011-2012: Quality of Written Communication in Science
- Child protection training
- I have also attended a range of informal ‘Teachmeets’ over the last academic year, presenting at one.
previous school
- Two days: Trained as an e-tutor, using my own time to train and advise other teachers, particularly NQTs.
- Developing partnership links with a range of schools and agencies, sharing advice and guidance to enrich the curriculum we offer to KS4 and KS5.
- School twilight sessions: Fully trained to teach pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder to support the schools' specialist unit.
- School twilight sessions: Assessment for learning.
- School twilight sessions: Child protection and drugs awareness.
first school
- School twilight sessions: Child protection.
- One day: Physics for non-specialists.
- Two day: NQT course run by the LEA.
Computer Literacy
- I am a confident user of ICT, I am proficient in the Microsoft Office suite which includes email, word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, publisher and databases.
- I am confident in the use of peripheral equipment such as scanners, digital cameras, data loggers, projectors and interactive whiteboards (Promethean, SMARTboard and Starboard).
- I have extensive of knowledge of using SIMs and Classroom Monitor for recording pupil data and then using it to inform my judgments whilst planning and reporting.
- I am involved with the uploading and organization of the Applied Science resources for GCSE, AS and A2 on the recently upgraded VLE which has replaced the previous product on which I was trained to a higher level i.e. to setup new courses and configure the appearance. I am now trained in using another VLE.
- I am able to find and/or develop new resources to support my teaching and enrich the learning of my pupils through the inclusion of, and later, the evaluation of, a range of ICT ideas, from interactive animations and games to online assessment tools e.g. Yacapaca
Interests
/ Hobbies:
- I enjoy international travel and have experienced a European road trip and trips to India and the USA
- I play an instrument in an Orchestra having achieved Grade 8 whilst completing my A-Levels.
- I enjoy participating in a variety of sporting activities including:
- I also enjoy watching motor sports, reading and socialising.
- Cooking a variety of dishes at home as well as dining out, and also enjoy making trips to local and West End theatre productions.
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Summer Reading List of Education Related Books
For those who might be interested I said in my previous post I'd be reading some educational books for school. Here is my reading list currently, not sure I will get through them all without a fried brain! (also I doubt I am presenting these as proper references but I'm sure the aim is that you can find them on Amazon or in Waterstones!)
I also have plenty on my Kindle to keep me occupied....before anyone worries about me :)
Hope the list is of help to some...
- "SOLO Taxonomy: A Guide for Schools Book 1 and Book 2" Pam Hook and Julie Mills
- "Full on Learning" Zoe Elder (@fullonlearning)
- "Inspirational Teachers Inspirational Learners" Will Ryan
- "Oops! Helping Children Learn Accidentally" Hywel Roberts (@HYWEL_ROBERTS) - I have read this once but loved it so much I want to read it again!
- "Engaging Learners" Andy Griffith and Mark Burns
- "Rocket Up Your Class" Dave Keeling
- "Literacy across the Curriculum Pocketbook" Caroline Bentley-Davies
- "The Subject Leader" Steve Garnett
- "The Lazy Teacher's Handbook" Jim Smith (@thelazyteacher)
- "Impact Techniques in the Classroom" Danie Beaulieu
I also have plenty on my Kindle to keep me occupied....before anyone worries about me :)
Hope the list is of help to some...
#TMClevedon, the End of Term anticlimax and my plans for the holidays and beyond
I have not blogged in a while, I hope that the reason for this will become clear as this post goes on.
I'm going to start with the amazing (and I don't use this word lightly) experience I had at #TMClevedon on a warm, sunny Thursday night in June, which is ages ago now.
Firstly it was great meeting up with some great fellow science teachers that I met back in January, if you're not following them on Twitter @hrogerson @KDWScience @lizdudley is where to look! Karen's presentation about foldables was great and I even got to be a glamourous assistant! :)
It was also a pleasure to listen to a brilliant keynote by Hywel Roberts (@HYWEL_ROBERTS) which for me was inspiring and reminded me why I teach in the first place. The concepts of BRAVE learning and 'botheredness' went down an absolute storm and if you haven't read Hywel's 'Oops' book then you really should, wherever you are in your career. I really appreciated the fact that Hywel has done work in a broad range of schools, including special schools which makes it even more worthwhile trying some of his ideas in my setting and want to become a 'radiator' - read the book, it will make more sense!
Then we got into the presentations, many of which by twitter teachers who I have been following for a long time, I really enjoyed seeing them in action. As I was listening to the likes of @ICTEvangelist vs @gavinsmart and their app smackdown, @reflectivemaths spinning plates and @ICTMagic and @timrylands doing their 'thing' it really struck me how lacking my school is in many areas, particluarly tech/computers and similar. I really think it does the kids a disservice.
As I was watching and listening I was trying to take note of some interesting sites/apps that were mentioned, there were loads but here are a few, sorry I can't remember who showed what! These are brilliant, I cannot stress enough that you should look at them all!
I really hope some of these are useful to people, I can take no credit beyond advertising them. I wish I had the tech to use some of them. My school has very little working IT and no budget. I would pretty much kill for 3/4 iPads for the kids to use and one for myself obviously. They are special needs after all! It may also be worth checking out @kohlmand's blog to see how these apps and more are used in a science context. It is found here: magpieandtry.blogspot.co.uk
This is turning into an epic.....
OK so the end of term. Well it was an awful term. Redundancies, stress, new kids who are more than BESD without the proper support, pretty much you name it and it happened. The end came and it couldn't have been more of an anticlimax, I just wanted to go home and get away from the school and a lot of the people. Horrible I know but for my own sanity I know it was best.
The reason I stopped blogging for a bit is because I risked ranting and being exposed. That I don't need. What I can say is this, I am being treated dreadfully and unfairly, I am being bullied (yes I know, I used 'that' word, but it is true) and told I am not good enough day after day despite everything I have done and achieved. I cry at home, a lot, it is not fair on my family. I can't trust anyone I work with. My union are itching to get involved and I am trying to keep them at bay at the moment. I don't know what to do for the best. I could fight it with union support and probably win but I would be hated even more than I am, or I can go.
This is why I started applying for some jobs, not just anything but things that I thought would be a step in the right direction for me. I am not getting interviews. I'm sure as intelligent people you can probably have a stab at why.
So my plan for the summer work wise is this:
1. Update CV and keep an eye out for potential jobs
2. Rest
3. Read educational books I have bought in the sunshine
4. Read other books in the sunshine
5. Possibly look at KS3 schemes of work and make sure they are up to date but not until after my holiday.
6. Wish for a lottery win so I can at least buy an iPad :)
That is it. My line is why should I?! My efforts are obviously not appreciated so I am having a break. The kids need me at my most energetic and creative, so I am going to recharge.
If anyone wants me I'll be found in one of the following:
1. Bed
2. Pub garden
3. Park with a book
To all my twitter teacher friends and colleagues WELL DONE! We did it! We got to the end! I hope that everyone has planned a well earned break. Love to you all and I hope to do some serious networking with you all next year. :)
I'm going to start with the amazing (and I don't use this word lightly) experience I had at #TMClevedon on a warm, sunny Thursday night in June, which is ages ago now.
Firstly it was great meeting up with some great fellow science teachers that I met back in January, if you're not following them on Twitter @hrogerson @KDWScience @lizdudley is where to look! Karen's presentation about foldables was great and I even got to be a glamourous assistant! :)
It was also a pleasure to listen to a brilliant keynote by Hywel Roberts (@HYWEL_ROBERTS) which for me was inspiring and reminded me why I teach in the first place. The concepts of BRAVE learning and 'botheredness' went down an absolute storm and if you haven't read Hywel's 'Oops' book then you really should, wherever you are in your career. I really appreciated the fact that Hywel has done work in a broad range of schools, including special schools which makes it even more worthwhile trying some of his ideas in my setting and want to become a 'radiator' - read the book, it will make more sense!
Then we got into the presentations, many of which by twitter teachers who I have been following for a long time, I really enjoyed seeing them in action. As I was listening to the likes of @ICTEvangelist vs @gavinsmart and their app smackdown, @reflectivemaths spinning plates and @ICTMagic and @timrylands doing their 'thing' it really struck me how lacking my school is in many areas, particluarly tech/computers and similar. I really think it does the kids a disservice.
As I was watching and listening I was trying to take note of some interesting sites/apps that were mentioned, there were loads but here are a few, sorry I can't remember who showed what! These are brilliant, I cannot stress enough that you should look at them all!
- http://geoguessr.com/ - where in the world are we? Great for geography (obviously) but could be a really good discussion based starter for many subjects.
- http://mixlr.com/ - for broadcasting live audio
- http://www.enercities.eu/ - build your own sustainable cities
- http://scootdoodle.com/ - collaborate and get creative
- http://tutortimevideos.wordpress.com/ - exactly what it says on the tin. Videos for tutor time to generate discussion
- http://www.chromeexperiments.com/detail/streetview-stereographic/ type in the address and get a whole different world view!
- http://www.timrylands.com/ - this blog is beyond fantastic and has apps and sites for all sorts! Brilliant!
- http://checkthis.com/ - tell stories with photos
- www.aurasma.com -"Thanks to Aurasma, every image, object and even place can have its own Aura. Auras can be as simple as a video and a link to a web page or as complex as a lifelike 3D animation. Use the Aurasma app to unlock Auras and share the experience with friends. Or get experimenting and use the simple tools within the app to create and share your own Auras." I've copied this as it's hard to explain but I can just imagine it used to make interactive displays with video clips and so on.
- http://www.123dapp.com/design - for designing 3D stuff
- http://www.augmentedev.com/#home - app for visualising things in 3D (both Android and Apple)
- bit.ly/appsmackdown - and here are all the apps featured in the App Smackdown
I really hope some of these are useful to people, I can take no credit beyond advertising them. I wish I had the tech to use some of them. My school has very little working IT and no budget. I would pretty much kill for 3/4 iPads for the kids to use and one for myself obviously. They are special needs after all! It may also be worth checking out @kohlmand's blog to see how these apps and more are used in a science context. It is found here: magpieandtry.blogspot.co.uk
This is turning into an epic.....
OK so the end of term. Well it was an awful term. Redundancies, stress, new kids who are more than BESD without the proper support, pretty much you name it and it happened. The end came and it couldn't have been more of an anticlimax, I just wanted to go home and get away from the school and a lot of the people. Horrible I know but for my own sanity I know it was best.
The reason I stopped blogging for a bit is because I risked ranting and being exposed. That I don't need. What I can say is this, I am being treated dreadfully and unfairly, I am being bullied (yes I know, I used 'that' word, but it is true) and told I am not good enough day after day despite everything I have done and achieved. I cry at home, a lot, it is not fair on my family. I can't trust anyone I work with. My union are itching to get involved and I am trying to keep them at bay at the moment. I don't know what to do for the best. I could fight it with union support and probably win but I would be hated even more than I am, or I can go.
This is why I started applying for some jobs, not just anything but things that I thought would be a step in the right direction for me. I am not getting interviews. I'm sure as intelligent people you can probably have a stab at why.
So my plan for the summer work wise is this:
1. Update CV and keep an eye out for potential jobs
2. Rest
3. Read educational books I have bought in the sunshine
4. Read other books in the sunshine
5. Possibly look at KS3 schemes of work and make sure they are up to date but not until after my holiday.
6. Wish for a lottery win so I can at least buy an iPad :)
That is it. My line is why should I?! My efforts are obviously not appreciated so I am having a break. The kids need me at my most energetic and creative, so I am going to recharge.
If anyone wants me I'll be found in one of the following:
1. Bed
2. Pub garden
3. Park with a book
To all my twitter teacher friends and colleagues WELL DONE! We did it! We got to the end! I hope that everyone has planned a well earned break. Love to you all and I hope to do some serious networking with you all next year. :)
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