Wednesday February 17th
Went up to London for dinner and met up with Jonathan, Justin and Benj. We had a good few beers and dinner. This was a good test of whether I miss my old world. I really enjoyed catching up but the thought of still being involved at Diageo or the marketing world leaves me cold. It was a late one but I caught the midnight train home and slept in my own bed.
Day 306 - Father Daughter Bonding Time
Tuesday February 16th
Full day of work today as Mrs N took Alice and Ted off to London. Ellen was here revising for her exams so we got lots done and then had some father daughter bonding time in the evening.
I am getting very apprehensive about my assignment. I have this feeling that I will leave it til the last minute and then it will be a complete panic. I only need to pass it but I'm not sure that I want the stress.
Full day of work today as Mrs N took Alice and Ted off to London. Ellen was here revising for her exams so we got lots done and then had some father daughter bonding time in the evening.
I am getting very apprehensive about my assignment. I have this feeling that I will leave it til the last minute and then it will be a complete panic. I only need to pass it but I'm not sure that I want the stress.
Day 305 - Teacher Fashion
Monday February 15th
My beautiful wife's birthday and I'm at home all day with her to enjoy it. We head off to Southampton to buy some more jumpers for me. I have decided on my teacher's look - formal trousers, shirt, tie and v-necked wool or cashmere jumper. Trouble is that I have been surviving on one grey and one brown one since December so invested in a blue, green and purple version to broaden my color palette.
I have decided against the suit look and have not managed the 'slacks and blazer'. To be honest, I would much prefer jeans and polo shirt but if the kids have to wear shirt and tie.....
My beautiful wife's birthday and I'm at home all day with her to enjoy it. We head off to Southampton to buy some more jumpers for me. I have decided on my teacher's look - formal trousers, shirt, tie and v-necked wool or cashmere jumper. Trouble is that I have been surviving on one grey and one brown one since December so invested in a blue, green and purple version to broaden my color palette.
I have decided against the suit look and have not managed the 'slacks and blazer'. To be honest, I would much prefer jeans and polo shirt but if the kids have to wear shirt and tie.....
Day 304 - The Number Devil
Sunday February 14th
I finally finished reading The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. It was a recommended read back in the summer but I've only just got round to reading it. I really enjoyed it. It's a "Mathematical Adventure", written as an accessible children's story. I can see myself perched on the edge of my desk, reading it chapter by chapter as a huddle of Year 7s sit at my feet, engrossed with my every word.
Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500. Karma.
I finally finished reading The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. It was a recommended read back in the summer but I've only just got round to reading it. I really enjoyed it. It's a "Mathematical Adventure", written as an accessible children's story. I can see myself perched on the edge of my desk, reading it chapter by chapter as a huddle of Year 7s sit at my feet, engrossed with my every word.
Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500. Karma.
Day 303 - You Can Take The Boy Out Of Essex
Saturday February 13th
What do do this weekend? Kicked it off with a weezy run and tentative linesman's duties at Ted's football match. The first half was uneventful but it kicked off with a couple of parents in the 2nd half. I was in the clubhouse drinking tea at the time.
Headed off to see the Boardmans in their cottage in West Sussex. Not too bad a drive and very good to see them all, as well as Carolyn and Mike. Hadn't seen Carolyn for 8 years. Everyone is so grown up and it's a marvel to watch Mark in his waxed jacket, battered Land Rover in a quaint Sussex village. He's from Wickford in Essex. Whenever I see anyone from Uni, we all revert to being 19 again. Except I had to drive.
What do do this weekend? Kicked it off with a weezy run and tentative linesman's duties at Ted's football match. The first half was uneventful but it kicked off with a couple of parents in the 2nd half. I was in the clubhouse drinking tea at the time.
Headed off to see the Boardmans in their cottage in West Sussex. Not too bad a drive and very good to see them all, as well as Carolyn and Mike. Hadn't seen Carolyn for 8 years. Everyone is so grown up and it's a marvel to watch Mark in his waxed jacket, battered Land Rover in a quaint Sussex village. He's from Wickford in Essex. Whenever I see anyone from Uni, we all revert to being 19 again. Except I had to drive.
Day 302 - Training Day
Friday February 12th
INSET day (In Service Training Day). I had a really good day as a) this counted as 1 day of training towards my 60 day requirement b) the official job vacancy went up on the board and I applied for it and c) I got a whole bunch of work done and felt useful on all kinds of levels. I helped the Art department put together their GCSE mark scheme. A simple set of percentages on Excel but they were pleased
I ended up not leaving until gone 5pm. I think I was the only one left in the building but all loose ends were tied up and if my CRB check comes through during half term I will be ready to go.
Half term is here - 9 days of rest. Bliss.
INSET day (In Service Training Day). I had a really good day as a) this counted as 1 day of training towards my 60 day requirement b) the official job vacancy went up on the board and I applied for it and c) I got a whole bunch of work done and felt useful on all kinds of levels. I helped the Art department put together their GCSE mark scheme. A simple set of percentages on Excel but they were pleased
I ended up not leaving until gone 5pm. I think I was the only one left in the building but all loose ends were tied up and if my CRB check comes through during half term I will be ready to go.
Half term is here - 9 days of rest. Bliss.
Day 301 - Girls And Boys
Thursday February 11th
Just one lesson today which was bliss. Got that out the way and then enjoyed my Thursday afternoon, pottering around the staff room and enjoying the sensation of not having to teach tomorrow.
Had a chat with some of the Year 8 pastoral staff as I left, asking for advice on a couple of the kids playing up. It was a good conversation - at this age the more developed boys and girls are beginning to notice each other and there are some elaborate games going on between them. 13 years old. You can't tell them they have all the time in the world for that stuff, they want to get on with it now, even in my lesson
Just one lesson today which was bliss. Got that out the way and then enjoyed my Thursday afternoon, pottering around the staff room and enjoying the sensation of not having to teach tomorrow.
Had a chat with some of the Year 8 pastoral staff as I left, asking for advice on a couple of the kids playing up. It was a good conversation - at this age the more developed boys and girls are beginning to notice each other and there are some elaborate games going on between them. 13 years old. You can't tell them they have all the time in the world for that stuff, they want to get on with it now, even in my lesson
Day 300 - Hanging On
Wednesday February 10th
300 days gone by. This time last year, we were planning our flight over the pond to visit schools and find a house.
This week is proving to be relatively relaxed as no-one was expecting me to be here. Got back into teaching and had a couple of decent lessons with Year 8s. Everyone seems to be hanging on for half term, which is a bit strange as it's been a snow-shortened 6 weeks since Christmas. The weather and illness have taken their toll.
First proper parents evening tonight with Year 9. Spent quite a bit of time preparing so was pleased with how it went. At one point I saw a look of horror spread over one father's face as I laid into his son. I almost stopped but went ahead anyway. It needed to be said.
First proper parents evening tonight with Year 9. Spent quite a bit of time preparing so was pleased with how it went. At one point I saw a look of horror spread over one father's face as I laid into his son. I almost stopped but went ahead anyway. It needed to be said.
Day 299 - Job Karma
Tuesday February 9th
The reason I am not in my second school today is that Kings' failed to send off for my CRB check. This is to ensure that I do not have a prior record of interfering with children. Fair enough and fair enough that More House won't let me be in a classroom alone with children until they see the document. A few red faces in the admin office this morning.
I also turned down the Perin's job which they were not happy about. Late on Friday, Kings' decided they were going to advertise a teacher role for a Maths and Business Studies teacher from September. My karma has kicked in again. When will it run out? This explains my two minds on the Perin's job.
In hindsight, Perin's seems a great school with much less pressure than Kings', driven by smaller numbers (1100 v 1650) and a less strict uniform and behaviour code. The latter definitely results in a less tense atmosphere around the school. However, I can't see myself moving to a job outside Winchester where, once again, I would lead a completely separate life to the rest of my family. I like what I have at Kings' and want to keep it.
The reason I am not in my second school today is that Kings' failed to send off for my CRB check. This is to ensure that I do not have a prior record of interfering with children. Fair enough and fair enough that More House won't let me be in a classroom alone with children until they see the document. A few red faces in the admin office this morning.
I also turned down the Perin's job which they were not happy about. Late on Friday, Kings' decided they were going to advertise a teacher role for a Maths and Business Studies teacher from September. My karma has kicked in again. When will it run out? This explains my two minds on the Perin's job.
In hindsight, Perin's seems a great school with much less pressure than Kings', driven by smaller numbers (1100 v 1650) and a less strict uniform and behaviour code. The latter definitely results in a less tense atmosphere around the school. However, I can't see myself moving to a job outside Winchester where, once again, I would lead a completely separate life to the rest of my family. I like what I have at Kings' and want to keep it.
Day 298 - Are You A Firm Candidate For The Role?
Monday February 8th
What a day.
Interview - I go to my interview at Perins School still in two minds. This was not the plan. It's set up like American Idol. There are 6 of us and we have a tour of the school, an "informal" interview with the Head and Deputy Head and finally, a 30 minute lesson to teach. This is all before lunch and then they get rid of 3 and the other 3 go on to final interviews with the lucky winner being offered a job at 3.15pm.
I have to say this is the hardest selection process I have been through with the possible exception of my first job at Beecham 20 years ago. When I compare the process for getting my SVP role, there is no comparison. The difficulty of the interview process is inversely proportional to the salary involved!
So the first question the Head asks me is whether I am a firm candidate for the role. This is the worst possible question to ask me so I was honest with her. Bad decision. My lesson went OK - it was full of energy and sizzle but not sure how much substance. Must have gone OK as I went through to the last 3.
My final interview was with a panel of 4 firing questions at me. I thought it went pretty badly and I had been found out for the fraud I am. Apparently not as they offered me the job.
Then I found out I wasn't going to More House on Tuesday.
What a day.
Interview - I go to my interview at Perins School still in two minds. This was not the plan. It's set up like American Idol. There are 6 of us and we have a tour of the school, an "informal" interview with the Head and Deputy Head and finally, a 30 minute lesson to teach. This is all before lunch and then they get rid of 3 and the other 3 go on to final interviews with the lucky winner being offered a job at 3.15pm.
I have to say this is the hardest selection process I have been through with the possible exception of my first job at Beecham 20 years ago. When I compare the process for getting my SVP role, there is no comparison. The difficulty of the interview process is inversely proportional to the salary involved!
So the first question the Head asks me is whether I am a firm candidate for the role. This is the worst possible question to ask me so I was honest with her. Bad decision. My lesson went OK - it was full of energy and sizzle but not sure how much substance. Must have gone OK as I went through to the last 3.
My final interview was with a panel of 4 firing questions at me. I thought it went pretty badly and I had been found out for the fraud I am. Apparently not as they offered me the job.
Then I found out I wasn't going to More House on Tuesday.
Day 297 - Clandestine Handovers
Sunday February 7th
The tension is building - job interview tomorrow and then I start at my new school. I can't take the pressure..take me back to the relaxed world of Diageo. Oh, I feel much better now.
Took the train up to Horsley and picked up Charles' car. Met with Frances in the pub to hand over my lap top and files for three weeks. That car goes like sh*t off a shovel. Not used to that kind of horsepower.
The tension is building - job interview tomorrow and then I start at my new school. I can't take the pressure..take me back to the relaxed world of Diageo. Oh, I feel much better now.
Took the train up to Horsley and picked up Charles' car. Met with Frances in the pub to hand over my lap top and files for three weeks. That car goes like sh*t off a shovel. Not used to that kind of horsepower.
Day 296 - Slices of Pizza
Saturday February 6th
Mum's birthday and I managed to catch her between golf and safari in South Africa. Why can't they buy a little pad out there and invite me down during the summer for the World Cup?
Ted and Alice both playing football today and both won. Alice almost scored a couple of times for the U11s which would have been great. Ted didn't get to play much and is a bit despondent. I did warn him.....
I have to teach some Year 7s about fractions on Monday as part of my interview. I am planning to use paper plates as slices of pizza. I'm quite looking forward to it.
Mum's birthday and I managed to catch her between golf and safari in South Africa. Why can't they buy a little pad out there and invite me down during the summer for the World Cup?
Ted and Alice both playing football today and both won. Alice almost scored a couple of times for the U11s which would have been great. Ted didn't get to play much and is a bit despondent. I did warn him.....
I have to teach some Year 7s about fractions on Monday as part of my interview. I am planning to use paper plates as slices of pizza. I'm quite looking forward to it.
Day 295 - Subbed At Half Time
Friday February 5th
I struggled manfully in having planned all my lessons but my voice and resolve gave way in my first lesson. The lesson itself was a bit of a disaster - it's the last time I ask a band 3 set to do a Tarsia puzzle...schoolboy error.
After that I was ushered gently into the staffroom and out of general circulation for the rest of the day. It turned out quite well as I managed to get everything organised for next week.
I struggled manfully in having planned all my lessons but my voice and resolve gave way in my first lesson. The lesson itself was a bit of a disaster - it's the last time I ask a band 3 set to do a Tarsia puzzle...schoolboy error.
After that I was ushered gently into the staffroom and out of general circulation for the rest of the day. It turned out quite well as I managed to get everything organised for next week.
Day 294 - Teacher Down
Thursday February 4th
I finally succumbed and spent the day in bed trying to fight this cold. A classic dose of man flu but sleeping all day certainly helps and funnily enough, no-one called or sent me e-mails all day. I guess the world can go on without me.
I finally succumbed and spent the day in bed trying to fight this cold. A classic dose of man flu but sleeping all day certainly helps and funnily enough, no-one called or sent me e-mails all day. I guess the world can go on without me.
Day 293 - Dragons Den, Kings' Style
Wednesday February 3rd
Not feeling 100% so fighting through to the weekend with runny nose and ample doses of Lemsip. Three lessons today as well as a lunchtime with the Kings Enterprise team.
There are a number of pupil run businesses at the school selling everything from Christmas stuff to cards, picture frames, key rings etc. They are there to turn a profit and learn about business. Who better to help out than me with my experience. First up was a company printing and mounting photos onto canvass. They have a limited market and some issues with quality control to deal with.
I gave 8.1.3 a nice rich task for their lesson. The trouble is I only figured out the learning points right at the end as they were packing up. They enjoyed it anyway!
Not feeling 100% so fighting through to the weekend with runny nose and ample doses of Lemsip. Three lessons today as well as a lunchtime with the Kings Enterprise team.
There are a number of pupil run businesses at the school selling everything from Christmas stuff to cards, picture frames, key rings etc. They are there to turn a profit and learn about business. Who better to help out than me with my experience. First up was a company printing and mounting photos onto canvass. They have a limited market and some issues with quality control to deal with.
I gave 8.1.3 a nice rich task for their lesson. The trouble is I only figured out the learning points right at the end as they were packing up. They enjoyed it anyway!
Day 292 - Drawing Perfect Circles
Tuesday February 2nd
Started a new topic with 7.2.1 today - angles. I was being observed and I think it went ok although once again I didn't quite get through everything I wanted. I did, however, use the 'plastic suction cap perfect circle drawer thingy' on the whiteboard without screwing up so I'm feeling quite proud of myself.
Year 10 have their exams straight after half term so this will be the first big test of whether I've taught them anything. They have worked hard on surds and histograms, both A grade topics so I am hoping we haven't neglected solid B and C grade topics along the way.
Started a new topic with 7.2.1 today - angles. I was being observed and I think it went ok although once again I didn't quite get through everything I wanted. I did, however, use the 'plastic suction cap perfect circle drawer thingy' on the whiteboard without screwing up so I'm feeling quite proud of myself.
Year 10 have their exams straight after half term so this will be the first big test of whether I've taught them anything. They have worked hard on surds and histograms, both A grade topics so I am hoping we haven't neglected solid B and C grade topics along the way.
Day 291 - Two Minds
Monday February 1st
My last week at Kings' before going to my second school and I have prepared outline lesson plans for all my sets after half term. This is a big deal and I am feeling very pleased with myself. It still means I have to plan each lesson but at least I have something to base it on. It will also make it easier for Frances to plan her lessons when she and I swap next week.
My first interview came through for Perins School in Arlesford, about 7 miles away. I am in two minds about the whole thing. I need to do this in case something at Kings' doesn't come up but I don't really want to work anywhere else...I'm just getting settled here and do not like the thought of going somewhere new and laying all the groundwork again. best not to be in two minds when I actually go to the interview.
Day 290 - Glops of Mud
Sunday January 31st
A crisp January Sunday and not a care in the world except football, eating, lesson planning and resting. I did go for a big muddy run and arrived home with great bit glops of mud hanging off my legs. Cross country running at its best.
Trisha came to visit and we had a leisurely stroll into town. She grew up in Arlesford just up the road so knows Winchester well. We made use of the grown up living room and sat chatting, drinking tea and reading the Sunday papers. I marked some books.
Day 289 - The Great Bacon Debate
Saturday January 30th
Icy cold day today and went for a run with Neil before Ted's game. He had hurt his calf so I did some uphill speed work on my own and it hurt. The bacon roll with HP sauce and cup of tea eased the pain, as did their victory.
Bacon was discussed in the clubhouse. Some had a big aversion to crispy bacon, a staple of American breakfasts, preferring the almost ham like thickness of the British rasher. I like both but, if pushed, and definitely in the context of a bacon roll with melted butter and HP sauce, I prefer a meaty rasher with crispy fat around the edges. The best of all worlds.
Day 288 - Catch 22
Friday January 29th
Game of two halves today. Before lunch was not a great performance. As with my other classes, it takes a while to judge the pace of a new set and 7.3.1 is no exception. CRG has left me pretty much alone with them which I like but only if it's going well. Today's particular issue was inverse operations. I gave them some easy problems to work through but they managed to do them without actually inverting because they could "see" the answer. As soon as the problem got harder and they couldn't see the missing number, they didn't have a method to figure it out. And so we went on.....Catch 22
After lunch, 9.2.2 behaved themselves and I had a great lesson with 8.1.3 as they worked out the angle sum of polygons. They did all the work while I watched and learnt.
Day 287 - That Was Me
Thursday January 28th
Year 11 parents' evening was good training for me although I was in a state of mild panic about my full day of teaching the next day. I basically sat and observed for a couple of hours and, given I have a Year 8 parents' evening in March, I needed to pick up some top tips.
First observation - the parents you really want to speak to don't turn up. This speaks volumes about the importance they attach to their child's education and how this rubs off on their kids. The parents of kids who are doing great do turn up and you tell them what they already know - "Johnnie/Lizzie is doing great and should achieve the grade he/she wants in the summer".
Second observation - the Dad in a suit, distracted by his Blackberry, their child's education only slightly more important than the urgent business he has left behind in the office and needs to get back to. He sits down in front of the teacher who earns a fraction of his salary and smiles indulgently as the teacher heaps praise on his off spring ("of course!") or sighs wearily as the teacher suggests a little more effort and a little less arrogance in the classroom would pay off ("what can I do about it?"). That was me.
Day 286 - Napoleon's Retreat From Moscow
Wednesday January 27th
University day and the dreaded verdict on my inept Fibonacci assignment. Blow me, but I only got a B! Apparently it was a good idea and my tutor wants to see it in action. I think she was just being nice. Even so, that B made for a much better day.
Really enjoyed today as we were looking at statistics and she pulled out a bunch of really interesting charts from real life. I was particularly taken by this one - Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. Not only is it mathematically accurate, it's tells an incredibly powerful story through a brilliant combination of numbers and art. If I could find something like this for every lesson I teach, I would be very very happy. It clearly shows that his Army was pretty much done for by the time it got to Moscow in August and that the retreat was just the nail in the coffin.....as it were
Day 285 - Bump In The Road
Tuesday January 26th
Assembly and mentor meeting this morning. My assignment is looming large and I still haven't done anything meaningful about it. That's probably why the university encourages us to start on it early and not leave it to the last minute.
It's odd as I'm shying away a little from planning lessons and putting myself out there. I don't know whether that's because I'm tired, I just haven't got in the groove yet, or it's a natural part of the cycle as I realise that performing at a high level day in day out in front of a class is very very difficult. I did OK today but that was because I only had 2 lessons and the 2nd one I asked to observe rather than teach. I need to get over this bump in the road.
Day 284 - Tutor's Dilemma
Monday January 25th
Secured my first tutoring job today. This is the way forward. 25 quid cash in hand for one hour a week. If I could squeeze in 6 a week, that's 150 right there. Not a bad supplement to the meagre teacher's salary.
The actual tutoring was brilliant for three reasons. Firstly, I can do Maths and this gives immediate confidence to the parents that I can help. Secondly, the dynamic is so very different to the classroom and that gives me confidence that I can actually teach, rather than a continuous battle with half of the class who look at you blankly as if you are not only boring but stupid as well. Thirdly, and most importantly, I figured out very quickly what the particular issue with this child was - he tries to do everything in is head and then write down the answer. That works at primary school but as the Maths gets harder, they have to learn a few written methods and write their thoughts down.
Having said that, I have stumbled across the central dilemma for many parents whose children struggle a bit at school. If their kids listened in class, concentrated on their work and did the homework, they wouldn't need tutors. When they do get a tutor, the child doesn't bother at school anymore and the parents think that the school hasn't done their job because "look how quickly little Johnnie has caught up with a tutor". Not true in all cases but you see my point.
Day 283 - Three Un-Wise Men
Sunday January 24th
Report writing hell as previously reported so hardly left the sanctuary of my office and completely ignored my family. I managed to head out for a long run, 9.5 miles, up through Twyford into Shawford, Otterbourne and back again.
We went to a fund raiser for three un-wise men who are doing the Marathon des Sables in April. I hadn't quite realised how gruelling the race is. It's more than a marathon and lasts for 6 days. 6 days when you have to cover 150+ miles and carry your own food. They showed pictures of some of the foot injuries. Ouch. The Marathon du Medoc (wine, I mean water, stops in every chateau along the way) looks much more appealing.
I got home at 9pm and still had to plan three lessons for tomorrow. Very very tired but pleased that I stayed disciplined and stuck to the task over the weekend. I do not intend to make a habit of this.
Day 282 - Report Writing Hell
Saturday January 23rd
No-one can mention the word REPORT to me, ever again. This weekend I had to write 65 reports for Year 8 and it nearly killed me. I received lots of advice and encouragement but it came down to this: by 8.30am on Monday I had to write 65 reports, having never done one before. It was a harrowing experience but I did it.
The first one took about half an hour (at that rate 32.5 hours of work) and by the end I managed 12 in an hour. There is a comment bank of stock phrases but I found that unworkable as, in my naivety, I wanted to say something personal and useful for each child. I actually enjoyed it because, ultimately, this is why I'm teaching - to give each child the feedback they need to get better.
Ted's new team reached the U13 Hampshire Cup Final with a 6-1 drubbing of a fancied team. The only issue is that he hardly played but he was the one who wanted to leave his old team
Day 281 - Tarzan Roar
Friday January 22nd
Tired today and lacking in inspiration. This is not good on a very full Friday so I need to find another gear from somewhere this term if I'm going to keep improving. I'm doing enough to get by right now and that's about it.
I just completed a pretty horrendous assignment for university. I handed it in but wasn't at all happy with it. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it got lost in translation and I ran out of time to change it. My own fault as we were given the assignment before Christmas but as usual I left it to the last minute. I am not looking forward to getting my grade back.
I got through the day and then rushed off to Ted's football practice. I felt much better after a good run - maybe I'm playing things too safe and controlled, I need to find my Tarzan roar and get the blood pumping, take a few risks.
Day 280 - Enigma and Colossus
Thursday January 21st
Another day out from school today, this time to Bletchley Park with a group of Year 7s. My first go at supervising a school trip and it went remarkably well - I didn't lose one child and at no point did I get close to administering the Epi pen (except to myself).
Most of the day was on the coach as Bletchley Park is near Milton Keynes, a good 2 hours drive. The shrine to war-time code-breaking has seen better days and is in desperate need of a makeover. In fact, I would not be surprised if it isn't subsumed into another museum one day soon. It is a remarkable story and, while there are veterans to tell it, perhaps worthy of a stage to itself. However, as memories fade, it probably needs to take its place alongside other exhibits at a bigger museum that will capture its essence without the vast expense of a site of its own. An amazing story all the same. They recruited code-breakers from winners of the Telegraph cryptic crossword puzzle. I bet they were at it like rabbits when they weren't hunched over German messages, squinting through their cigarette smoke in dimly lit Nissan huts.
Day 279 - Tangled Webs
Wednesday January 20th
Back to work today but, because of the school closures, both my Year 8 classes were taking exams so I had no planning to do at all. It made for quite a relaxed day and I caught up with a few things.
Soon I will need to face the prospect of applying for a job as there is no current vacancy at Kings'. I am feeling quite relaxed about it but Mrs. N is not. I suppose the thought of going to another new school from September is not particularly appealing having put so much effort into getting to know staff and children here.
I broached the idea of teaching Business Studies to my mentor but backtracked very quickly when a look of horror crossed her face..."but why would you want to do that if you want to teach Maths?....". Ah, it's a long story. I do need to spend some time with the Business Studies department and see what's going on with them. I know a bit about that stuff.
Day 278 - Failed In Mainstream Schools
I was up very early today and on the train to visit my second placement school, More House. As previously blogged it is a specialist school for boys with learning difficulties or, as one of the boys actually there said, for thick kids. Need to work on the self-esteem there as well.
I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of my schooling - big old house with annexes, boys having breakfast in a cafeteria, boarding houses etc. Frances has own classroom so it will be great not to have to move around all the time. The class sizes were a real shock as well with 8-10 kids per class and with one of them , only 5! However, they fill the space available so it is a very daunting prospect to prepare for it. I won't have the same resources either, as they don't have IWB.
I learnt a little about the learning issues the boys have. The key fact is that they all have average ability but have failed in mainstream education, so it's this school's job to help them access the learning they are perfectly capable of. They often come with some behavioural issues, either as part of their condition or as a result of their experience in mainstream schools.
The journey on the train was a non-starter, about 3 hours travel so I will need to get a car or stay over in the school or B&B
Day 277 - Roulette Wheel That Did Not Spin
Monday January 18th
New topic today with my friends in 10.2.2. Histograms. Histograms are an A/A* topic so I was expecting some blank faces. I got them. I think following Surds with Histograms is cruel and unnatural but they are year 10s and should be able to take it. Their science exam is over but still they moan.
Attempted a very cool (in my opinion) Excel spreadsheet with 9.2.2 in the computer room. Someone had figured out how to create a fully functioning roulette wheel on excel and I set them a task of working out the probability of winning, betting points and off they go. The trouble was that the macros were disabled and it didn't spin. Ooops. As I should have expected being 13 and 14 years old, they didn't really understand roulette either. Sigh.
Day 276 - Snowbirds
Sunday January 17th
Mum & Dad are off to South Africa for 2 months of sun, surf and golf so we headed down to Brockenhurst to see them before they left and for a belated birthday meal for Ted. A massive portion of chicken pot pie later we returned. They are renting an apartment and then going on safari in Namibia. I tried to persuade Dad to subscribe to Twitter so he could give us daily updates on what they were up to. Not going to happen but we may get some FB postings from them with photos as they have Mum's iPod Touch with them.
We have been looking at summer holidays and have narrowed it down to Spain, Italy or maybe even Greece. It is looking unlikely that we will return to the States although Ellen may go if she can get through a week without being vile to us. I am not holding my breath.
Day 275 - Plimsolls and Canes
Saturday January 16th
I was thinking about Kings' "strict" behavioural policy today. Basically, there is an escalating scale of sanctions depending on the offence and whether it is a one-off or repetitive behaviour. These sanctions range from a verbal warning, through lunch time detentions, after school detentions, isolation, inclusion room (excluded from lessons and their friends but still in school), temporary exclusion and if they are really really awful and we are talking psychotic, they might, just might get permanently excluded and off the school roll. This rarely happens as excluding a pupil from here just means the County has to find them another school or education elsewhere.
When I was at school, I was beaten with everything ranging from a ruler to a slipper to a plimsoll and the ultimate weapon, the cane. My transgressions ranged from punching someone for calling me a name, breaking a light with a football inside a classroom, cheating in a Latin test and smoking. These are the ones I remember.
It is too simplistic to believe that corporal punishment could once again act as the deterrent it was. However, I don't believe the sanctions we have now carry anything like the kind of weight that caning did. They are not punishment as such but consequences. I wholeheartedly support the thought that children need to have clear consequences for their actions and those actions need to be consistently applied. I would like to see how some of these cocky teenagers would react to 6 of the best from my old Housemaster or even one of the other teachers at my old school who used to throw the javelin for his country.....
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 273 - The Literacy of Numbers
Thursday January 14th
The snow melted as quickly as it had come this time, which was a shame because Winchester looked beautiful with its trees and roofs laden with virgin white snow. Still no teaching for me today as I hopped on the Number 1 bus for a day at University. even that wasn't straightforward as St Cross Rd is closed to traffic and I had to slog up Battery Hill to intercept it on its detour.
Today we learn about literacy in learning. If I might translate into simple words. We learnt that children have to be able to read in order to progress at school, not only in English but in all subjects, including Maths. This took a whole day.
Joking aside, it does seem that doing well in a Maths exam in 2010 depends significantly more on your ability to read than it did in the 1980s. In their efforts to make Maths more relevant and functional, simple maths problems of yesteryear now come with a whole story attached to them before you get to the Maths bit. This means there is a bigger chance of misunderstanding or incomprehension through (lack of) literacy. Losing interest before you get to the end of the question is also highly probable. Bring back the purity of solving problems with numbers and symbols, that's what I say.
Day 272 - Delayed Start
Wednesday January 13th
Would you believe it? A bit of overnight snow and it's delayed start, 3 year groups and no lessons for me. Brilliant! That's what I call a day at work. Tough call at 6am but in hindsight the whole school could have opened with a delayed start. Now we have a bunch of Year 9,10,11s feeling hard done by as they are in school and the others aren't. Lots of Year 11s did not come in at all.
As it stands, I haven't had a lesson with my Year 8s yet and once we get through the exam we will be pretty close to half term. Basically, that means getting behind on our scheme of work for the year and when they look at their teacher next year with a blank look when asked whether that have covered area of a circle, it will be my fault...or is that the snow's fault.
Not one lesson today, so used the time to sit with the other teachers and ask their advice on lesson plans and resources. A day like this a week would be perfect. This is what a lesson plan looks like for a half term.
10.2.2 Spring Term H1 Plan 12 Lessons
Representing Data/Surds/
AQA Book Module 1 & 3
| # | Lesson | Learning Objectives | Resources | Homework |
| 1 | Mon 4th Jan. Computer Room | New Topic - Surds Surds (1/3) Recognise and simplify surds | Starter: Factorisation of 2010 Main: MyMaths Surds lesson and homework | None |
| 2 | Tues 5th Jan. | Surds (2/3) Rationalise the denominator of a surd | Starter: MyMaths sq. numbers Main: 10 ticks worksheet | AQA Mod 3 Ch 3 Apply 1 and 2 |
| 3 | Mon 11th Jan. Observation | Surds (3/3) Solve problems including surds | Starter: Main: Malcolm Swan activity GCSE questions | None |
| 1 | Tues 12th Jan. DVS away | Representing Data (cont. from H2 Autumn) Construct a time series graph and plot the moving averages | Starter: Main: Power Point lesson and 10 ticks L7-8 Pack 6, Page 37 | |
| 2 | Mon 18th Jan | Construct a histogram (1/2) | Starter: Main: Power Point or MyMaths. Construct 2-3 in books | Finish |
| 3 | Tues 19th Jan | Interpret a histogram (2/2) | Starter: Main: 10 ticks Level 9 Pack 3 Page 37 | From AQA book |
| 1 | Mon 25th Jan | New Topic – Probability Review – simple probability, listing outcomes, adding to 1, solving problems | Starter: Dice Bingo Main: Pack of Cards activity (as for 9.2.2) | None |
| 2 | Tues 26th Jan | Use relative frequency to find probabilities Compare to theoretical | Starter: Main: MyMaths lesson, compare results | |
| 3 | Mon 1st Feb | Complete a tree diagram for successive independent events (1/2) | Starter: Main: 10 ticks L7-8 P1 Page 15 | Finish worksheet |
| 4 | Tues 2nd Feb | Complete a tree diagram for successive independent events | Starter: Main: Class activity to complete diagram and calculate probability | Self Assessment on Mod 1 and 3 |
| 1 | Mon 8th Feb NCL away 2nd Placement* | Catch Up Lesson | | None |
| 2 | Tues 9th Feb 2nd Placement | Exam Revision | | None |
*2nd Placement GTP Teacher is Frances Hudson from More House School in Farnham. First week before half term will be observation. Two weeks after half term, Frances will be planning and teaching
Day 271 - Chariots of Fire
Tuesday January 12th
The threat of more snow has everyone excited today - delicious anticipation of another day off tomorrow or at the very least, less kids to teach. It's funny how that already appeals to me! More Surds with 10.2.2 - it's amazing how difficult it is to grasp them and yet how simple they really are. It's about the language you use and the fact they are (almost) completely irrelevant in real life.
Pounded round the circuit in Bar End tonight, just as it started to snow. It was spectacular - a temporary 400m track lit by torches, catching the snowflakes in their beam as we pounded past like rickety old racehorses. All very Chariots of Fire like.
Day 270 - Indolent Pupils
Monday January 11th
This truly is a big chill. The temperature remains below freezing so nothing is melting and they are not sure how many teachers are going to make it in so......only Years 9,10,11 today and no uniform. It feels like Christmas week all over again.
Everyone is lethargic today, especially the kids, I can hardly rouse my Year 10s to do anything which is a shame as I am being observed. In the end, it goes quite well and DVS gives me a good rating. She is looking for more involvement from the LSA (Learning Support Assistant) in the class room. This is a fair point. I have lofty intentions of doing this but they are currently falling short as I barely have the time to organise myself let alone anyone else. Taking the time is worth it as they are a essentially an extra teacher who can help with classroom management, differentiation, focusing on some pupils so I can get round the rest.
Day 269 - Enforced Hibernation
Sunday January 10th
We were meant to go to M&D's for Ted's birthday lunch today but decided against it. It has warmed up a little but Christchurch Rd is still covered in ice.
All my outline plans are written for the first half term so I fell really good about that. it makes a big difference to discuss a lesson with the class teacher in advance. It means I am not panicking the night before with no-one to talk to. Sorry. Not panicking MUCH.
Day 268 - Forced March To The Pub
Saturday January 9th
Philippa and I have decided that all this snow and enforced hibernation means that we should be able to have a drink so I enjoyed a glass of wine or two last night. The roads and pavements are still pretty treacherous and there is no sport.
We finally made it to The Bridge in Shawford with the Dewars. It was a great walk in the end and we had to navigate the raging Itchen. The pub was OK (I know I shouldn't but when I saw the barman generously dip the tap spout into the beer as he was pouring, I was itching to leap over the bar and tell him how to serve a perfect pint) but the whole experience was definitely worth it. Everyone got some fresh air and we bumped into people we actually knew.
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 266 - Sledging Is Skiving
Happy Birthday Ted and another day off school. We now have two teenagers in the house.
The weather continues to be icy cold and the snow and ice have packed down on the roads and pavements. I walked up to school to see if it was open so I could pick up some books but everything was closed.
Comparisons are being made to 1963 and there was an interesting paragraph on the contrast between going to school then and now:
SCHOOLS
On Wednesday about 9,000 schools were shut across England, with 950 in Wales, and at least 250 in Scotland and 16 in Northern Ireland.
While some schools were forced to close in 1963, Peter Hennessy, professor of contemporary British history at Queen Mary University of London, said the large number of closures this week indicated the UK had become a "health and safety nation".
But he said people usually lived within walking distance of their schools in 1963 - while more parents and staff drive to school now - so snow on the roads has more impact on closures these days.
Wading to school through inches - not centimetres - of snow is something Christine Hewitt, 64, from Prudhoe, Northumberland, remembers well.
She said at the age of 18 she had no choice: "You put wellies on and walked. If you could get on a sledge, you went to school. Sledging was skiving."
Cultural historian Christopher Cook said the "technology of schools" had also changed.
He said: "You don't hear of frozen loos - heating is much more efficient.
"In 1963 my brother was at primary school and had to break the ice in the toilets - he was told not to hit it too hard with the stick in case he broke the porcelain too."
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.
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