Sunday February 28th
We drove up to East Horsley for lunch with my brother. We regaled him with stories of life in a comprehensive school. He positively blanched. I guess when you have been to private boarding school, Oxford University and sent your kids to private school, the very thought of a comprehensive school is a bit alien. The kids enjoyed it!
I went to private boarding school and it feels a bit alien to me as well. Of course it feels alien. Without it sounding like a social experiment, that's what makes it so interesting, to see what a school is like with the full spectrum of society trying to function together with varying levels of motivation.
Would I have found it difficult in a comprehensive school as a child? If I had moved to one from private school, maybe, but if I had started in primary like everyone else, it would have made no difference. Would I have come out a different person? Undoubtedly, as the experience would have been very different.
I wonder whether I would have done as well academically? I think I would as the results I got were all self-motivated. However, the values I have today were as much moulded at school as they were by my parents, so who knows if I would have had that self-motivation and independence of thought in the public sector?
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Day 274 - Teacher Swap
Friday January 15th
Got a little manic today as I was a little under-planned for my first 4 lesson day. To add to the excitement the teacher I am swapping with for three weeks was in to meet everyone and observe my lessons. Part of our training is to go to a second school and experience something different.
In our case we have gone for something very different. She is coming to a large mixed comprehensive with class sizes of 30+, a strict behavioural policy and high academic standards. I am going to a small private boarding school for boys with learning difficulties who have failed in mainstream education and class sizes of 8-10. Teacher swap is coming to a TV station near you. Worth watching.
My first full day was exhausting and I barely made it through but I did. The lessons themselves went in a blur and I did not stop to eat, drink or pee. This is not healthy and to be avoided but I will need to find a way to manage this when I am on a full timetable. Everyone else seems so relaxed or else they've learnt to suck it all in from 8.45 to 3.15. It's only 6 and a half hours after all.
Day 267 - The Ancient Art Of Thinking
Friday January 8th
Years 10 and 11 in today and so I had a very relaxed day. Gave my Year 11s a past paper and then sat in the Maths workroom, drinking tea and praying for more snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Someone asked me the other day whether my goal is to be a head teacher. When I said no, I got the sense that he didn't understand why not and therefore what is driving me to do this or indeed where the challenge is.
Right now, striving to be a reasonable teacher is challenge enough. My goal is to be a great classroom teacher, someone who the children respect and engages them enough to pay attention, work hard and do the best they can, maybe even achieving something they didn't think possible. Given some of the experiences I've had so far, it's a very tall order. The vast majority of the classes I teach are passive - not in the sense of being quiet and well-behaved (I wish), but in the way they approach learning. Most of them want you to do the work for them and if they "don't get it" then they give up and blame someone or something else for their inability to figure it out.
The reality is that they don't know how to think for themselves. My overriding memory of school was not having the option - you had to think for yourself. No-one was going to do it for you and if you "didn't get" something, then you kept trying until you figured it out. It sure as hell wasn't anyone else's fault.
Day 265 - School Closed
THEY CLOSED THE SCHOOL! I cannot believe it. No more than 2 inches on the ground and they've closed the school. Wouldn't have happened in our day. Wouldn't have happened in Hastings. It has here and as I lay in bed I thanked my good karma for giving me a day back to plan some lessons.
I didn't waste it either. While the rest of Winchester was outside building snowmen and toboganning I slaved over my laptop and churned out medium term lesson plans for all my classes.
I found this satellite image on the internet - very impressive shot of the UK under snow.
They are talking about a "big freeze" on the news and it certainly is cold. The snow has packed down on the roads and pavements and it does look like a winter wonderland out there. With very little snow clearing equipment, grit or salt, the only thing that will shift this lot is a thaw and that's not happening for a while. Time to hibernate.
Day 200 - Back to School
Monday November 2nd
200 days since I left Diageo. It does feel like another life. Teaching is certainly proving to be hard work especially as I am left to figure much of it out on my own. In many ways the challenges and routines are similar but the most important change is in myself. It no longer feels like my job defines or consumes me. It feels very much like something new that I am having a go at, in the same way as I've taken up running in a big way or taken on a new house in a new city. I'm curious as to whether I can be good at it as opposed to success or failure will define whether my life is a success or failure, a feeling I had many times over the past 20 years in my chosen career. I know this year will be all consuming as I train but once I'm more experienced I can start expanding my horizons and choose what I want to do.
Back to school today and tired myself out in just one day! Not that bad but it certainly didn't feel like we had had a week off. Worked through my two lessons in the morning and then was able to relax. I really enjoyed the lesson with 10.2.2 when we went through the topic test they had done.
9.2.2 are troubling me. I can't seem to get the pitch right with them. If I try and stretch them they go very quiet and just sit there. If I try and make it fun and engaging, they start mucking about. On top of that I have a few kids in there that are just not participating at all. I can't decide whether that's my fault or I need to get tough with them. Sounds familiar from my past life....
Day 152 - Pastoral Care
Tuesday September 20th
The cold is definitely taking a hold but I needed to get through the school day. Unlike working in an office taking a sick day means the school has to pay to cover your lessons. In my case that's not a big deal as I am only supporting the main teacher but it does put a huge burden on teachers to not take a day off.
Today was Year 10 Assembly. I am learning about pastoral care. In other words, what does the school do other than churn out A through C grades at GCSE? Kings' seems to have it covered with tutor groups, assemblies, houses and loads of sport and other after school activities. For a school which is big on discipline and results it has an amazing amount of other stuff going on. I introduced myself to the Head a few days ago and remarked on the size of the school. She said that it operates as 5 schools on one site with the Head of Years running a school of 330 kids each. A school within a school. I think that's the route I want to go. Can't see myself as head of Maths!
Day 138 - 16 + 51 = 1450
Tuesday September 1st
Busy today as I managed a run (decent pace) and finished off my 8 page review of the summer school I went to last week. I packed it full of potential "applications" in the classroom so I am hoping I can use it for my portfolio and/or training. A little longwinded but glad I got it done.
Catherine came for the day so we had the cousins running around keeping our lot occupied. All of them are very different and real characters. Walked into town with them and dropped Alice off at her party. She has definitely gone a little quiet in the run up to school.
Then we headed out for our anniversary dinner with M&D. They hadn't had a drink all month so the champagne went straight to their heads. Good wholesome food in a building dating back to 1450 and then Dad drove us the wrong way down a one way street in the centre of Winchester. No police around which was lucky
Day 125 - Hard Core Retro
Wednesday August 19th
Worked hard this morning on DIY and then a call with Colangelo about S7. Great chatting about hardcore retro and whether S7 could do the same in spirits/whiskey that PBR has done for beer. Enjoyed that and also managed to stay disciplined and write up the report and send it off rather than promising myself that I would do it tomorrow. There is no tomorrow.
Ted and I cycled up to school. It took us 15 minutes door to door, pretty much all up hill. Not sweat inducing steep so I should be good to cycle to work. Headed off to cycle shop and invested in a new helmet and some nerdy bike clips. Nice downhill all the way home.
Dad came and picked Alice up for a few days and Ted heads out tomorrow so soon we will have only Ellen. How can we get rid of her? Hmmmmm
Worked hard this morning on DIY and then a call with Colangelo about S7. Great chatting about hardcore retro and whether S7 could do the same in spirits/whiskey that PBR has done for beer. Enjoyed that and also managed to stay disciplined and write up the report and send it off rather than promising myself that I would do it tomorrow. There is no tomorrow.
Ted and I cycled up to school. It took us 15 minutes door to door, pretty much all up hill. Not sweat inducing steep so I should be good to cycle to work. Headed off to cycle shop and invested in a new helmet and some nerdy bike clips. Nice downhill all the way home.
Dad came and picked Alice up for a few days and Ted heads out tomorrow so soon we will have only Ellen. How can we get rid of her? Hmmmmm
Day 123 - Website Designer
Monday August 17th
A week til I head up to York for my intensive Maths summer school. I am slightly nervous as I am barely through Year 8. Oh well, what's the worse that happens. I'll know in a week.
It's amazing - I designed a website in about an hour today. I promised to help Cousin Jonathan with a website for his business. I did this without having any idea of how to do it. Figured it out and I think it looks pretty good. Let's see what he thinks. Dad and Rob seemed to like it. The only issue is the "weebly.com" domain but anything else costs money.
A week til I head up to York for my intensive Maths summer school. I am slightly nervous as I am barely through Year 8. Oh well, what's the worse that happens. I'll know in a week.
It's amazing - I designed a website in about an hour today. I promised to help Cousin Jonathan with a website for his business. I did this without having any idea of how to do it. Figured it out and I think it looks pretty good. Let's see what he thinks. Dad and Rob seemed to like it. The only issue is the "weebly.com" domain but anything else costs money.
Day 102 - How Did I Live Without a Hammer Drill?
Monday July 27th
Day 1 without Ellen so the house was a little quieter and getting up in the morning was slightly easier. A quick check in at the school revealed no news on anyone leaving Year 7 so we headed off for another load up at Homebase.
I sneaked off with Alice to buy a new drill and came out with a hammer drill. It was big and scary but when it got through the brick in a nano second I realised what I'd been missing all these years. Now for some new screwdrivers.
Got back to the rental and there were two messages from Mrs Manning at Kings'. It was too late to call so we stewed on that all evening but I still slept well.
Day 96 - White Transit Van Man
Tuesday July 21st
Big day today as we hired a big white van (Renault not a Ford Transit as it happens) to move some furiniture around and take my mind off the appeal. First stop was Dad's to pick up the kids, Ellen's new bed and a sofa bed. Dad came back and helped get the sofa bed up the stairs where it fitted rather snugly in the family room. Ellen put her new bed together all by herself which was very impressive.
Then we got the bombshell. Ted's appeal had failed. This was totally unexpected and therefore a bit of a shock. On reflection, it's really the first major setback we have had but it's quite the setback and so we are going to have to plan for Ted to go to HB. Three kids in three different schools.
Ellen and I then spent the afternoon together driving up to East Horsley to pick up the trampoline. I really enjoyed the trip and she was very helpful dismantling the whole thing. It started to drizzle as we finished up and rained the whole way back. Got home and stored it in the garage. A long day
Big day today as we hired a big white van (Renault not a Ford Transit as it happens) to move some furiniture around and take my mind off the appeal. First stop was Dad's to pick up the kids, Ellen's new bed and a sofa bed. Dad came back and helped get the sofa bed up the stairs where it fitted rather snugly in the family room. Ellen put her new bed together all by herself which was very impressive.
Then we got the bombshell. Ted's appeal had failed. This was totally unexpected and therefore a bit of a shock. On reflection, it's really the first major setback we have had but it's quite the setback and so we are going to have to plan for Ted to go to HB. Three kids in three different schools.
Ellen and I then spent the afternoon together driving up to East Horsley to pick up the trampoline. I really enjoyed the trip and she was very helpful dismantling the whole thing. It started to drizzle as we finished up and rained the whole way back. Got home and stored it in the garage. A long day
Day 88 - Broken Car and New House
Monday July 13th
Nasty squeaking noise on the new car so take it in to the garage and it turns out a spring has gone in the rear suspension so no car for a day. At least we don't have to pay for it. Went and picked up the keys for the new house. We sat and admired it for a while before heading home on the bus. Not a bad journey at all, about 10 minutes. We will have to work out timings for school as I have no desire to stand on the bus with my or any other kids on the way to school every morning. Unfortunately those hills get in the way of a nice leisurely cycle ride in every day
I keep pinching myself that we have this magnificent new house. It was the first one we saw and I keep expecting someone to take it away from us. It feels much much scarier than having a mortgage. Somehow if the bank owns most of it, it doesn't feel such a huge responsibility but this time every brick, every pipe, every tile has been paid for by 20 years hard graft. Very different
Nasty squeaking noise on the new car so take it in to the garage and it turns out a spring has gone in the rear suspension so no car for a day. At least we don't have to pay for it. Went and picked up the keys for the new house. We sat and admired it for a while before heading home on the bus. Not a bad journey at all, about 10 minutes. We will have to work out timings for school as I have no desire to stand on the bus with my or any other kids on the way to school every morning. Unfortunately those hills get in the way of a nice leisurely cycle ride in every day
I keep pinching myself that we have this magnificent new house. It was the first one we saw and I keep expecting someone to take it away from us. It feels much much scarier than having a mortgage. Somehow if the bank owns most of it, it doesn't feel such a huge responsibility but this time every brick, every pipe, every tile has been paid for by 20 years hard graft. Very different
Day 83 - Fresher
Wednesday July 8th
Headed off to the University of Southampton today to register formally on my GTP course. I tried to drop Alice off at school but followed the wrong car into Bar End. Whoops.
It was a good morning. We spent it with Keith Smith, the lead tutor. I did not say a word as tempted as I was. It truly felt like being back at school, or at best University. I need to get used to it because this is what it feels like to be back at the start of something. I'm smart but know nothing about teaching so need to be OK with making mistakes, looking foolish in front of others. Not today though
Got the all important handbook and learnt about the infamous portfolio of evidence I have to accumulate. Basically, I have to put together 2 box files of documents that show I have mastered the 33 standards expected of a qualified teacher.
Headed off to the University of Southampton today to register formally on my GTP course. I tried to drop Alice off at school but followed the wrong car into Bar End. Whoops.
It was a good morning. We spent it with Keith Smith, the lead tutor. I did not say a word as tempted as I was. It truly felt like being back at school, or at best University. I need to get used to it because this is what it feels like to be back at the start of something. I'm smart but know nothing about teaching so need to be OK with making mistakes, looking foolish in front of others. Not today though
Got the all important handbook and learnt about the infamous portfolio of evidence I have to accumulate. Basically, I have to put together 2 box files of documents that show I have mastered the 33 standards expected of a qualified teacher.
Day 81 - NCL
Monday July 6th
So my 3 letter "signature" next year will be NCL. Somewhat reminiscent of NCR as in National Cash Registers but I will live with it as it a the first concrete indication of my new status as a teacher at Kings. I am observing for the week and spent all day in school. Enjoyed myself very much although didn't pluck up the courage to go to the toilet so it was a desperate dash home at 3:15. Thank God we're living just up the road.
It was encouraging to be recognized by a few of the kids from back in March, especially the naughtier ones! First up was Jane's tutor group. Jane is my mentor for the year which means she helps me get through my first year. She has a full timetable but has found time to make feel welcome so I'm sure we are going to get on well together.
Sat in on some very excitable classes which was good. For the life of me I have no idea how I'm going to deal with a class that is out of control. My fear is that I will be too tolerant and then lose my temper on occasion. That would be awful so need to be really careful. Sat with the class I taught in March and they remembered the "Guinness" lesson.
Had a complete panic attack when Alexis asked me to help someone with construction. Stayed one step ahead and showed no fear! Got home and fell asleep on the floor!
So my 3 letter "signature" next year will be NCL. Somewhat reminiscent of NCR as in National Cash Registers but I will live with it as it a the first concrete indication of my new status as a teacher at Kings. I am observing for the week and spent all day in school. Enjoyed myself very much although didn't pluck up the courage to go to the toilet so it was a desperate dash home at 3:15. Thank God we're living just up the road.
It was encouraging to be recognized by a few of the kids from back in March, especially the naughtier ones! First up was Jane's tutor group. Jane is my mentor for the year which means she helps me get through my first year. She has a full timetable but has found time to make feel welcome so I'm sure we are going to get on well together.
Sat in on some very excitable classes which was good. For the life of me I have no idea how I'm going to deal with a class that is out of control. My fear is that I will be too tolerant and then lose my temper on occasion. That would be awful so need to be really careful. Sat with the class I taught in March and they remembered the "Guinness" lesson.
Had a complete panic attack when Alexis asked me to help someone with construction. Stayed one step ahead and showed no fear! Got home and fell asleep on the floor!
Day 80 - No Credit
Sunday July 5th
We swear we did not hear or see anyone on this street until about 230pm. Eerily quiet. Had a read of the Sunday Times and wandered into town. Found a quirky cinema near the new house so booked tickets to see the new Harry Potter in a couple of weeks. Bought Mrs N a new phone but still couldn't buy more than one at a time so Ellen be Ted will have to wait. The town centre was very busy for a Sunday and we are starting to discover the nooks and crannies of this very old city.
Skyped with the Tarricones at 9am their time. We miss them.
Alice and I start school tomorrow. Aaaaargh
We swear we did not hear or see anyone on this street until about 230pm. Eerily quiet. Had a read of the Sunday Times and wandered into town. Found a quirky cinema near the new house so booked tickets to see the new Harry Potter in a couple of weeks. Bought Mrs N a new phone but still couldn't buy more than one at a time so Ellen be Ted will have to wait. The town centre was very busy for a Sunday and we are starting to discover the nooks and crannies of this very old city.
Skyped with the Tarricones at 9am their time. We miss them.
Alice and I start school tomorrow. Aaaaargh
Day 12 - A Day With Dr Beglane
After a gentle early morning jog, I was picked up by Dr Beglane and spent the day at Family School 32 in Yonkers, NY. The objective was to get first hand experience of class room management techniques (good and bad) through observation and the day proved to be very useful.
I was a little nervous but soon settled down and took copious notes. The morning was spent observing 6th Grade and then the afternoon 7th and 8th Maths. I think I saw it all! Plenty of material to learn from and I was pretty tired by the end of the day. I ended up writing a 6 page report so that will go straight into the evidence file under classroom management.
When school finished there were may be 15 kids who came up to me and remembered my name. That felt good.
Weather continues to be very hot
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