So frustrating looking at online y6 teacher groups. So many schools cutting back on foundation subjects for constant SATS revision, booster sessions and 'clubs'. I strongly believe that this is wrong- SATS should be testing the curriculum taught normally- but if we don't do it, we are penalised.
That's so lovely! I remember as a teenager spending hours typing up and printing out my favourite song lyrics and making a book of them so I would have been all over this!
It's poetry.
I took my class to visit the local library recently. As we were walking back, they were chatting contentedly about the books they'd looked at and enjoyed.
Until we rounded a corner and came upon the police arresting a man and bundling him into their van. The library was not mentioned again.
And they wonder why we struggle to recruit in the areas where we need school staff the most 🙄
When SLT have to spend meeting after meeting poring over squeezing out our staffing so that we have adults in the right places to keep children safe, there isn't as much time to focus on teaching and learning, on quality of education.
As someone who works in a school serving a disadvantaged rural community (in one of the lower attaining counties nationally), I see that we are asking staff to push themselves to burnout in trying to do the best for their children instead of funding the schools so there can be enough adults.
Ofsted's chief warns that he won't “downplay disappointing outcomes” in Ofsted’s grading of disadvantaged schools.
This is despite analysis for Tes showing schools in deprived areas may be “unfairly penalised” for their achievement outcomes.
these dudes are so cool
This is their one childhood. It should be full of play, exploration, wonder and community. And for some children, school is the only place they will (should*) be guaranteed to encounter those things.
I always think it when I encounter angry people driving...how unpleasant it must be to constantly be in an unnecessary rush and to be so cross with every other road user! It can't be a nice way to live.
It is very interesting, thanks.
Hi, I'm a primary teacher in y6 in Somerset- been in primary for the past 6 years, teaching for 20- previously in secondary and middle, as well as being a childminder. I've done many stages and love different things about all of them. Hate SATs and the stuffed primary curriculum, but love teaching.
Callout reads #FFBWednesday: Connecting UK Educators and Education. A matrix shows excellent people involved in education, including worthy BlueSky contributors: 1. @simonebeach.bsky.social, a primary school headteacher 2. @bennewmark.bsky.social, a secondary school teacher 3. @hoylerosemary.bsky.social, a chair of governors 4. @5naureen.bsky.social, a school governor 5. @primaryteachermary.bsky.social, a primary school teacher 6. @nourishworkplce.bsky.social, a supporter for school wellbeing 7. @simonknight100.bsky.social, a special school headteacher 8. @danlyndon.bsky.social, a secondary history specialist / teacher 9. @schoolsweek.bsky.social, a widely respected education newspaper. Footer reads @9000Lives.org
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just fucking do SOMETHING and don’t let the constant stream of atrocities keep you frozen in inaction.
yeah, pay attention to the news, but make sure you know when/how to look away at least long enough to take care of those around you & do what you can to support work that needs doing.
thanks
9/9.
It never ceases to confound me just how many folks think the point of essays is to provide teachers with essays. That teachers just like, collect them, or need them for sustenance or something. Rather than the point of them being the *actual fucking act of learning how to think about shit*
A worry I have is that when you find just the right support to help a child to flourish, they can *appear* to no longer need it. In other words, when the provision is right, they thrive...
"Oh look, they're thriving at school now- they no longer need all that provision" 🫤
Every appearance of Bob Mortimer on Would I Lie to You?
I'm reading this and personally, for our small primary school, it simply isn't actionable. We don't have enough adults to be able to carry out screenings/ assessments or to provide interventions. It sounds great but we are scraping by, only able to provide support for those with the highest needs.
I am passionate about state schooling. But that is not the only way children can get a good education- and for many families, it currently isn't a viable way.
I have witnessed home education at close hand and, honestly, it can be better than anything that schools currently offer.
I don't "opt-out" of McDonald's if I make pasta at home. I don't "opt-out" of the library if I borrow a book from a friend. I don't "opt-out" of the football if we go for a walk instead. I'm grateful those things exist to be chosen; I'm not shirking my responsibilities by doing something different.
The question framing is tricky as well... I said we don't use them too much, meaning: all current factors included, we don't do it when we don't need to and when it isn't the best of a bunch of bad options.
Do I wish we did it less and were able to do it less? Of course.
It reminds of being at university: some struggling to survive on their student loans while others invested theirs so they'd have a nice deposit for a house. One of my mum's friends said to her, "Lucy ought to invest hers too, it's much more sensible," and Mum had to point out I needed it to live!
So will that cash be shared amongst local schools?
System is rigged.
Yes. I often think how unhealthy the relentless pace of schools is for everyone involved.
I think it's hard to convey the time pressures in schools. Our headteacher's safeguarding load alone could easily be a full-time job. We know we need to be strategic as well as managing the day-to-day but so much crops up that needs immediate attention, before you know it another week has passed.
Both!
Why we need change in schools but why schools (and wider society) need so much more to be able to make changes.
It's hard, depressing work a lot of the time unfortunately. Everyone giving their all but still coming up against what can feel like failure after failure. It's not what any of us working in schools want or are aiming for. But it is the current reality.
Push back how?
(Sorry I am aware that could sound confrontational but is a genuine question)
Exactly this. Persistent disruptive behaviour generally means not a child in that room- nor often in the whole area- is able to learn.
Also, in a one-form primary school (or smaller), who do they think is facilitating this and where is it happening? Most primaries do not have staff available to support this nor do they have spaces for it to happen. Every adult and every space is being used, every minute of the day.
