Year 6
Hell on earth. simple as that. The thing that shocked me most was the lack of respect. I thought it was just for me as a supply teacher, but no they had no respect for the Deputy Head when she came in. The sad thing about it all is that there were some nice kids there, it's them I feel for.
Glad I've been there even more glad if I don't return.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Milton Infant School. Newport
Year 2
Attached to the junior school, they have nothing to do with one another. It is a staff full of women which became clear when I went to the male toilet which had no toilet paper and no soap. I guess they don't get used much. Still it was lucky it doubles as the disabled room and after a bit of serching I found some hand wipes.
The school itself was nice enough, but the thing I enjoyed best was doing reading groups. it was nice to be trusted to do some proper reading.
That said given my choice I definitly would prefer to head back to the Junior School.
Attached to the junior school, they have nothing to do with one another. It is a staff full of women which became clear when I went to the male toilet which had no toilet paper and no soap. I guess they don't get used much. Still it was lucky it doubles as the disabled room and after a bit of serching I found some hand wipes.
The school itself was nice enough, but the thing I enjoyed best was doing reading groups. it was nice to be trusted to do some proper reading.
That said given my choice I definitly would prefer to head back to the Junior School.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Maendy Primary School, Cwmbran
Minor Learning Behaviour Unit
More cancellations but at least again they found me work. This time it was as one of three teachers, four adults in the learning behaviour unit. Lots of problem children aged 5 and 6. Actually by a lot I mean 10.
I spent the morning working 1 on 4 with a group that they are trying to intergrate into the mainstream and my afternoon weaving fish one on one. No planning, no marking, seriously tiring.
It was another new experience to work in Cwmbran with the added bonus of a bus straight to the end of the lane.
In the staffroom they laughed at me when they found out I'd been to Duffryn the day before. I wonder why.
More cancellations but at least again they found me work. This time it was as one of three teachers, four adults in the learning behaviour unit. Lots of problem children aged 5 and 6. Actually by a lot I mean 10.
I spent the morning working 1 on 4 with a group that they are trying to intergrate into the mainstream and my afternoon weaving fish one on one. No planning, no marking, seriously tiring.
It was another new experience to work in Cwmbran with the added bonus of a bus straight to the end of the lane.
In the staffroom they laughed at me when they found out I'd been to Duffryn the day before. I wonder why.
Duffryn Primary School, Newport
Year 5 & 6
For the first time since I've been here I had a booked day cancel, that happened at 6 30 on the Tuesday night, but luckily they had a replacement arranged already. They must have seen me coming because it was in Duffryn. None the wiser well neither was I so I said yes. Actually I say yes to all days so this wasn't strange. After finding my way there I had a chat with the head. "we're a sharing school and if you need help and don't ask for it you won't be back" fair enough I thought. Till lunch was fine but it was a wet day so the kids didn't get a chance to go outside, humm that could be a problem. Couple that with the fact there was a pantomine after lunch and the anticipation got too much. The actors were half an hour late and in that time I had two students removed to the deputy heads room. After that I enjoyed my first pantomine a interesting rendition of Cinderella. The conclusion of the panto shocked me most as the deputy got up and thanked the class and then told the students if Prince Charming hadn't got Cinderella he would have gone there becasue she was a bit of alright and he was single.
Anyway that was the day, after school I was told I must have had an ok day with only two removed and also that I was the third supply teacher that week.
On another note I have since found out about Duffryn. It was a muffty day and they all dressed as street criminals and drug dealers. Apparently this was not special dress, but normal dress.
For the first time since I've been here I had a booked day cancel, that happened at 6 30 on the Tuesday night, but luckily they had a replacement arranged already. They must have seen me coming because it was in Duffryn. None the wiser well neither was I so I said yes. Actually I say yes to all days so this wasn't strange. After finding my way there I had a chat with the head. "we're a sharing school and if you need help and don't ask for it you won't be back" fair enough I thought. Till lunch was fine but it was a wet day so the kids didn't get a chance to go outside, humm that could be a problem. Couple that with the fact there was a pantomine after lunch and the anticipation got too much. The actors were half an hour late and in that time I had two students removed to the deputy heads room. After that I enjoyed my first pantomine a interesting rendition of Cinderella. The conclusion of the panto shocked me most as the deputy got up and thanked the class and then told the students if Prince Charming hadn't got Cinderella he would have gone there becasue she was a bit of alright and he was single.
Anyway that was the day, after school I was told I must have had an ok day with only two removed and also that I was the third supply teacher that week.
On another note I have since found out about Duffryn. It was a muffty day and they all dressed as street criminals and drug dealers. Apparently this was not special dress, but normal dress.
Monday, 16 November 2009
Gilwen School, Gilwen
Year 5
What a treat to get out of the city and further up the vallies. Gilwen is as far north as I've travelled so far and is a country school. I loved my day and we got a lot done in an interesting class. Beautiful place to be teaching at the edge of the Breacon Beacons National Park.
Really hope to get back there, although I hope it will be less stressful as the car stalled it's way there this morning leaving me uncertain about if I'd make it home at all. Luckily there was a teacher (it was her class I was in) who lived in Pontypool who brought me home. I also enjoyed a great conversation with the head who is a lovely bloke.
What a treat to get out of the city and further up the vallies. Gilwen is as far north as I've travelled so far and is a country school. I loved my day and we got a lot done in an interesting class. Beautiful place to be teaching at the edge of the Breacon Beacons National Park.
Really hope to get back there, although I hope it will be less stressful as the car stalled it's way there this morning leaving me uncertain about if I'd make it home at all. Luckily there was a teacher (it was her class I was in) who lived in Pontypool who brought me home. I also enjoyed a great conversation with the head who is a lovely bloke.
Alway School, Newport
Year 3 & 4
This was a last minute assignment, which had the potential to be horrible as the school had just finished an inspection the day before. That turned out to be a long way from the truth. Three kids who had created merry hell the day before were well behaved and it was a fun day. The other happy bonus was that the kids were rewarded for their good work during the inspection and we watched Ice Age all afternoon. It's a hard life.
This was a last minute assignment, which had the potential to be horrible as the school had just finished an inspection the day before. That turned out to be a long way from the truth. Three kids who had created merry hell the day before were well behaved and it was a fun day. The other happy bonus was that the kids were rewarded for their good work during the inspection and we watched Ice Age all afternoon. It's a hard life.
Crindau School, Newport
Year 3 & 4
This was an interesting oppurtunity, to teach in the school that my grandmother had attended some 70 to 80 years earlier.
I'm sure the school has changed in that time and although it seemed a nice enough school it wasn't a great day. It was typical of inner city children street wise and full of attitude. Some of the kids were lovely but others were not interested in being there.
For the first time I found that there was no planning left which seemed odd considering the booking was made three weeks ago. Apparently the teacher whose class it is, is merticulous and well organised. My initial view was anal retentive, masking over inadequacies.
I will get a fuller opinion when I return for three days next week with the same class.
This was an interesting oppurtunity, to teach in the school that my grandmother had attended some 70 to 80 years earlier.
I'm sure the school has changed in that time and although it seemed a nice enough school it wasn't a great day. It was typical of inner city children street wise and full of attitude. Some of the kids were lovely but others were not interested in being there.
For the first time I found that there was no planning left which seemed odd considering the booking was made three weeks ago. Apparently the teacher whose class it is, is merticulous and well organised. My initial view was anal retentive, masking over inadequacies.
I will get a fuller opinion when I return for three days next week with the same class.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Wasted class time
This comment is a genral one not attributed to anyone school because they're all guilty. UK class time is often wasted time. The sheer number of assemblies and the amount of time spent changing for P.E. cuts so far into the school day that work doesn't get done. One school I've been at had 4 assemblies in two days, and it is not uncommon for more time to be spent changing before and after P.E. than at P.E.
Add to that the time spent celebrating religous holidays, regardless of the schools religon and it's a wonder anything gets done. That said planning is a breeze becasue it's all in the book, creativity is a no go zone in British schools.
Add to that the time spent celebrating religous holidays, regardless of the schools religon and it's a wonder anything gets done. That said planning is a breeze becasue it's all in the book, creativity is a no go zone in British schools.
Rogerstone School, Newport
Year 2 & 5
I had a week at Rogerstone School which was a pleasure to work in one school for a period of more than a couple of days. I had 4 days with the same year 2 class so I got to know a whole class by the time I left, something I'd only been able to do at Govilon when I had a class of six.
The school itself has an interesting history. Six years ago the school was burnt to the ground by arsonists. The newly remodelled school is fantastic but it must have been crushing for those at the school.
Saw a fantastic puppet show called Jingle Jangle Jungle put on by the Wales Puppet Society. Also had the pleasure of experiencing a lunchtime fire drill. Not planned but caused by the dinner lady burning dessert. You'd think a school with their history would be more careful in the kitchen.
I had a week at Rogerstone School which was a pleasure to work in one school for a period of more than a couple of days. I had 4 days with the same year 2 class so I got to know a whole class by the time I left, something I'd only been able to do at Govilon when I had a class of six.
The school itself has an interesting history. Six years ago the school was burnt to the ground by arsonists. The newly remodelled school is fantastic but it must have been crushing for those at the school.
Saw a fantastic puppet show called Jingle Jangle Jungle put on by the Wales Puppet Society. Also had the pleasure of experiencing a lunchtime fire drill. Not planned but caused by the dinner lady burning dessert. You'd think a school with their history would be more careful in the kitchen.
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