Tag Archives: Teacher

A Letter to my SLT: latest update.

Posted on January 5, 2014 by

In November I posted a copy of an email to one of my SLT, regarding my issues with the lesson observation process that my school insists on using (‘School Management Makes Teaching Impossible’). This email prompted the manager in question … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The OFSTED Christmas Message: more Fear than Cheer.

Posted on December 22, 2013 by

In January 1996, at the age of 22 I landed my first proper teaching job in Smethwick, an economically deprived, multi-cultural area of the West Midlands. A lovely school with a tough catchment. Early on, I remember a particularly confident, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

School Management Makes Teaching Impossible

Posted on November 29, 2013 by

“So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.” (Peter F Drucker) If you have read any of my blogs of recent months, then it won’t come as very much of a surprise to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

In Memory of an Outstanding Teacher

Posted on October 25, 2013 by

Mr Graham, ah, Mr Graham; a rotund, somewhat-less-than-healthy-looking middle-aged man. A great big bear of a man: slightly crumpled shirt, loose tie, a suit that had seen better days and the perpetual aroma of stale cigarette smoke. Mr Graham: a … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Empowered and Free? Not me, Mr Gove!

Michael Gove delivered a speech at The Policy Exchange, London yesterday (5th September), in which he championed both teachers and teaching. For a short while afterwards I felt a nice, warm glow of something approaching relief. I think there are … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on September 6, 2013 by | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Performance Related Pay: Be Sure the Behaviour Nut’s Cracked!

Posted on July 24, 2013 by

There is never a dull moment for teachers these days! No sooner have we adjusted (or not) to the ramifications of Gove’s new knowledge-based curriculum and its bounteous feast of learning opportunities, but now the menacing spectre of the dreaded … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments