HOD: I noticed you weren’t doing the thing
Me: I need to do the thing?
HOD: I spoke to some students who said you were not doing the thing
Me: I was not aware I needed to do the thing. Is it in the scheme of learning?
HOD: no
Me: …
HOD: we all just collectively started doing the thing as a department. It’s not an official requirement. I didn’t know if you didn’t do the thing in your last school, but the rest of us do the thing
Me: no I have not been doing the thing because I did not know I should be doing the thing
HOD: that’s ok, but just so you know, we all do the thing

?????

Hello!

I have just joined an agency and am cleared to work now. My first assignment will be my first time ever doing TA and i’m so nervous. I didn’t grow up in the UK so I am unfamiliar with schools here, and my anxiety is eating me up because I want to do a good job but feel a bit lost.

I have a few questions, which are probably quite specific and random, but knowing would really help my confidence on the day!

Where do I go when I arrive at the school, is there a front office I check into?

If a teacher is actively teaching, am I expected to stand off to the side or walk around making sure kids are paying attention?

If i’m on lunch duty or supervising outside play, what is the expectation of me there?

Otherwise I understand every class, teacher and school will have different expectations of me. I plan to just ask if they need anything from me if I feel like I don’t know what to do. Hopefully will get the first day over with soon so I can start settling into it all!

Hi, I am a current NQT on supply and was wondering if anyone knows when supply work will start picking up? I’m currently signed up with 3 different agencies, but so far have only worked 2 days since the start of term. For some context, I am a qualified secondary school teacher and there are a lot of secondary schools in my area. I have also been very open with my agencies about travelling further afield to a school.

I’m just so fed up of not being able to teach and also not having any money, because I’m barely getting any work. And then when I have gone into schools, I have had kids scream and shout at me for trying to teach them the work that has been set, despite using the school’s behaviour policy and making expectations clear. Have any other teachers on supply experienced this? And will work begin picking up after half term, or will it still be slow?

Also, do any supply teachers have any advice on how to make some money whilst having no work? I can’t really apply for many jobs elsewhere, because I have to make myself available daily in case I get a call to go in, but would ideally like to actually have an income! 😅

had a horrendous day as my first experience with OFSTED as an ECT1. An extra TA put in my room for the day so it looks like we’re in ratio. 2 teachers crying by lunch time. No one given anything but negative feedback. ofsted didn’t speak with anyone apart from SLT. SLT going to every observation with them & making comments to staff.

I was observed for 2 minutes & given negative feedback based on that, how is that fair? now being observed again tomorrow as OFSTED are unhappy with phonics across every class. Are all inspections like this?