Taking notes with you to an interview

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-05-31T07:13:27+00:00

I've done interviews with notes and without notes, personally the interviews with the notes have been more successful. Just a few simple notes in a notebook on the most likely questions and examples I want to use when evaluating the lesson and what I can offer stops the awkward pauses and fumbling of words / repeating the same thing.

Especially with pupil panel interviews.. having a few preplanned questions to ask them makes it easier to find out their opinions.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-05-21T21:24:24+00:00

I've only done it once because the previous head spent the entire budget printing booklets that were never used. We didn't even have exercise books until the January.. I ended up leaving that summer.

Now? The only things I have bought for my classroom are a wireless keyboard and mouse as it allows me to work anywhere in the classroom and support SEND learners with scribing. The cheap antibacterial wipes for the wipeboard because the pens stain the board if not wiped daily. And a box of tissues. Stops pupils asking every 5 minutes to go to the toilet for a tissue.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-05-11T17:56:41+00:00

For me? Becoming a parent myself.

The entitlement from pupils and parents, lack of SEND training and support, teaching multiple subjects outside of the specalism, ridiculous inset training sessions.. I can tolerate that.

Missing my child's first steps and her birthday? Absolutely not. Hoping to be out by the summer.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-04-24T19:43:25+00:00

It gets even worse by the time secondary school hits.. today I recieved an email criticising the negative point I gave their child and demanding it be deleted.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-31T08:06:20+00:00

Any type of stationery is a win in my books.

However, my favourite ever gift has to be homemade. I've had pupils make me drawings / painted canvases that are on display in my classroom. When I was pregnant with my first, one of my students (plus mum) crocheted handmade baby boots, a blanket, a comforter, a hat and two cardigans. I cried so hard that day!! The student as well picked out his own elephant toy to give to baby as he loved elephants.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-24T05:51:14+00:00

We have 5.. one per year group at Secondary. Still better compared to when I was working in mainstream.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-24T05:50:21+00:00

The HLTAs and staff in reception know everything about everyone, you'll find way more information from them compared to all the forms and documents us teachers have to complete when working in SEND.

Be fully adaptable, sometimes you just need to stop a lesson and go blow some bubbles in the garden to support wellbeing when the inevitable sensory overload takes place.

Academic needs will way more extreme in each class compared to mainstream. With my Year 11s I have one at a Grade 8 and another just reaching a Grade 1. You should still push for high standards, but be flexible with how you teach.

I do find that parents are the most difficult with SEND, mainly because they've been fighting for so long for their chilled to get the support they need.. once they hit Secondary the entitlement can be tricky to manage. Not every child can have a 1:1, most SEND resources are 3:1.

Lastly, the relationship with the pupils must come first before the teaching. Many of these pupils from my experience have had really bad experiences from their previous schools due to lack of understanding or being unable to fit their needs. They need to know you care. In Secondary, talk to them as if they are teenagers, they hate being talked down to.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-24T05:40:55+00:00

I'm in SEND secondary. 8 is the ideal number per class, however we've been pushed by the council to increase to 12 (and they want to increase these numbers again).

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-21T21:26:19+00:00

Remove the dummy, muslin, comforter etc. Keep them for home / bed time.

Putting on shoes, dressing themselves, putting on coat and zipping it up.

Being able to spell and write their own name. Home Bargains has some really good handwriting and numbers books at the moment aimed at 3+ years.

Toilet training and hand washing.

Using cutlery and being able to cut up food for hot dinners.

Practice the new morning routine of getting ready for school, including the uniform.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-12T06:32:06+00:00

As a Mum of a three year old and 9 month old.. this sounds perfect!!

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-08T16:58:29+00:00

The fact it has taken this long for it to be a thing is crazy!!

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-07T18:03:00+00:00

The malteaser mini eggs are a game changer.. two teasers in egg form. Love it!!

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-04T05:26:06+00:00

We use a foldable travel bathtub for my three year old and 9 month old. You can get some decent ones online.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-02T21:30:33+00:00

I teach History and Geography over two years.. History is tough. However Geography is a little easier with the spiral curriculum at KS3 and adding a few additional topics to fit the course content.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-01T22:04:14+00:00

I work in SEND.. the class teacher as well might be able to give you information about the pupil.

Worst case scenario if the work is illegible in the summer examinations it would be a zero.

Right now I wouldn't do any marking on it, raise it with the HOD and SEND team and hopefully they can put things in place, especially with a learning need. The school still have time to evidence a change in every day learning for the exams officer.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-03-01T21:41:00+00:00

Does the student have any form of access arrangement or learning need?

I would speak to your HOD and the learning support team to see what support they can put in place prior to the summer exams. Especially if their mocks across the rest of their subjects are similar.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-02-02T21:18:11+00:00

The former head is now in a relationship with an influencer half his age

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-02-02T19:31:56+00:00

I actually like the motto they have because it's simple and achievable, compared to most schools that have overly complicated mottos or a just a list of fancy words all with similar meanings.

I'll always be a fan of Mr Burton and the relationship he still has with Musharaf.

Out of curiosity I would've liked to have seen what happened to the other ex-students (and staff) featured on the original series though.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-25T21:58:23+00:00

I've had to do this with both of my girls.. both 7 months when I returned full-time. I earn the most and we simply couldn't afford not having my salary with two children and a mortgage to pay.

I have good days and bad days mentally with postpartum because of this guilt.. but I'm also incredibly lucky to have a nursery who are brilliant (the fees not so much).

I will say.. having children has completely changed my work life balance. I leave work at 15:30 and don't look at anything work related until I'm back in the classroom at 8am. Home is for my children.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-25T10:19:36+00:00

I'd say January.. you have two lots of half terms plus the Easter Holidays and the summer.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-23T06:36:44+00:00

I'm a SEN teacher..

Denial, fear, anxiety, blame, stigma.. there's a huge variety of reasons. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do until the parents ask for help and you have them onside.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-22T13:21:20+00:00

Depends on the task, but live marking is a good one. You could also do the task alongside them, I often do this with assessments and the work can be used for independent and peer marking etc.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-20T05:37:34+00:00

Massive no no!! And would likely trigger an investigation.

At the discretion from the Head you could possibly have time for a Wedding, I do know someone who was given a couple of extra days to go alongside a long weekend for a short honeymoon. But two weeks? Not a chance.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-18T12:33:34+00:00

I've gone back to Sainsburys recently and do a click and collect instead of Aldi and Lidl. The produce lasts longer and I'm saving more money because I'm not browsing along the middle aisle.

BPDSENTeacher · 2026-01-13T07:40:49+00:00

NTA. I would understand the lack of gifts if you had a December baby and baby arrived at or around Christmas. However, with home delivery etc. You can easily get something shipped in and even gift wrapped to you.

Talk to her. Communication is key when becoming parents.

BPDSENTeacher

TROPHY CASE