I am lucky enough to be married to a wonderful, caring and dedicated teacher who works in an Academy school in Nottinghamshire.
A typical week for her includes at least 50 hours of work, systematic abuse from students and a discipline system which failed many years ago. I regularly come home to find her in tears after a particularly challenging day, only to pick herself up and start lesson planning and marking work a few hours later.
Support from the school 'leadership' has been remarkably low and my wife is not alone in her experiences. Many teachers agree that the discipline is apalling and that they don't have a sufficient mechanism to reduce bad behaviour and encourage the right environment. Of even greater importance is the experience which the majority of good kids must endure - 90% of teaching time is spent dealing with 10% of the classroom. Disruptive behaviour abounds and the sanctions imposed are ignored at will by students and parents alike.
Outside of my wife's school, there are fantastic examples of Academy Schools in some of the most challenging areas being completely turned around. This takes strong and determined leadership, without fear of excluding pupils and enforcing sanctions. These schools demand respect at all levels and require parents to sign an enforced agreement should they wish their children to benefit from the fantastic environment which they foster. I'm sure all parents would rather their children attended schools where teachers can teach and students can learn.
How many teachers will be reduced to tears and a life of misery before something is done? Nobody should have to work in this environment and every school leadership team should have a duty of care to ensure both teachers and students can work in a happy environment. Is this really asking too much?
A typical week for her includes at least 50 hours of work, systematic abuse from students and a discipline system which failed many years ago. I regularly come home to find her in tears after a particularly challenging day, only to pick herself up and start lesson planning and marking work a few hours later.
Support from the school 'leadership' has been remarkably low and my wife is not alone in her experiences. Many teachers agree that the discipline is apalling and that they don't have a sufficient mechanism to reduce bad behaviour and encourage the right environment. Of even greater importance is the experience which the majority of good kids must endure - 90% of teaching time is spent dealing with 10% of the classroom. Disruptive behaviour abounds and the sanctions imposed are ignored at will by students and parents alike.
Outside of my wife's school, there are fantastic examples of Academy Schools in some of the most challenging areas being completely turned around. This takes strong and determined leadership, without fear of excluding pupils and enforcing sanctions. These schools demand respect at all levels and require parents to sign an enforced agreement should they wish their children to benefit from the fantastic environment which they foster. I'm sure all parents would rather their children attended schools where teachers can teach and students can learn.
How many teachers will be reduced to tears and a life of misery before something is done? Nobody should have to work in this environment and every school leadership team should have a duty of care to ensure both teachers and students can work in a happy environment. Is this really asking too much?