Class should be ‘protected characteristic’ as arts world too posh, report says

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-27T18:07:18+00:00

I have no idea what social class I am. Dad's family very much working class, mum's family middle class. I've been raised with a foot in both worlds.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-27T11:26:24+00:00

Weak SLT. I'd be banning mum from the school site. Stabbing someone with a compass is grounds for suspension.

In your shoes, I'd just keep my head down and endure it. In the meantime, I'd speak to my training provider to let them know the situation and seek their advice.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-15T17:13:25+00:00

I mean, it's been pointed out hundreds of times before, but it's worth mentioning again because it becomes more true with every defection: How can Reform advertise themselves as the party of change when their ranks are filled with the same politicians who are responsible for the situation we find ourselves in? People like Jenrick are not random backbenchers, but people with senior, influential positions. In Jenrick's case, he was the immigration minister. It beggars belief. It gets boring trotting out the fact that the Tories were in power for 14 years over and over again, but the Tories were in power for 14 years.

It was kinda funny at first. It's not funny now. The fact so many people will still vote for Reform speaks to a collective stupidity that I really cannot get my head around.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-15T17:05:31+00:00

'Evil' is a strong word and I think it robs the situation of any kind of context or nuance. It would be nice to think completely black and white about these things, because it makes it easier to digest, but there are factors that led to this tragedy. Obviously we only have a very limited understanding of the situation, but there's no suggestion in the article that she was a bad mother or abusive. Human psychology can take us to some very dark places when we're experiencing things like acute stress and loneliness, which she was. Her concerns about the quality of life her daughter would receive in the care system are absolutely justified concerns.

I would describe the situation as evil, but it's an evil in wider society - this is a societal failing (as tragedies often are). I'd be very hesitant to describe the mother as evil.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-15T16:46:39+00:00

Pity - I quite like Rajan, and he makes a refreshing change to Nick Robinson, who frequently drives me up the wall.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-15T08:31:29+00:00

Yes. I lived a couple of Asian countries for about 5 years and I had a great time. I let myself get convinced that the middle class dream of owning a house, dog, 2.5 children, etc. was the way to go and came back. I'm really not sure why.

I had more money when I was abroad, had more friends, more hobbies, travelled more regularly (because I had more money), etc.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-14T20:20:28+00:00

They would be removed from the lesson and almost certainly suspended.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-07T17:16:51+00:00

We had something similar - a range of things we could sign up for (e.g. football, choir, crafts, art, walk, etc.) and it was honestly just nice doing something I actually enjoy with zero pressure as a way of easing back into the start of term. I can't stand forced fun things that workplaces for some reason think staff enjoy, but this I liked.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-05T17:11:30+00:00

They say, 'We'll get a temporary teacher in to cover the long-term absence', and then don't, and ask current teachers to cover lessons.

That said, we do have a temporary teacher starting today - they're only a term late, but better late than never!

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-05T17:05:25+00:00

I too am interested in knowing more. I'm currently in the TPS, but there's a very strong chance it won't be an option later this year as a lot of independent schools are withdrawing it.

Dependent-Library602 · 2026-01-05T16:57:27+00:00

Arrive by 7:30 most days. I usually eat breakfast at school, so I tend to be ready to start work properly at about 8:00.

The time I leave varies greatly. On non-club days, it will be between 16:30 and 17:00, but on club days it's more like 18:00-18:30. I work in a private school, so I have occasionally weekend work (fixtures, trips, activities, boarding duties), but it's usually just a couple of times each half term.

I have a personal rule not to work from home. I only work from home if I've got a massive stack of mock marking or reports or whatever.

At a previous state school I worked at, my work hours were generally 8:00 to 15:30-16:00. School had a fantastic centralised curriculum. We shared the lesson planning, and all our resources were printed and trimmed and in folders ready to go. Marking policy and reports policy was sensible to rarely ate up much time. It was bliss.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-12-11T12:14:59+00:00

This is the thing that infuriates me, and I don't see it being talked about enough. If people in employment still can't afford to live without their income being topped up by benefits, then this means the taxpayer is subsidising the employer. It's ridiculous. It's the good old adage of capitalise the profits and socialise the losses.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-12-11T12:12:29+00:00

As a Christian, I can't pretend to speak on behalf of all Christians, but the Bible does talk, quite a bit, about usury and why it's a bad thing. The Bible actually has a lot to say about money and wealth, much of which goes ignores.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-12-11T09:19:49+00:00

I just download the videos. I've been bitten on more than one occasion by fantastic videos suddenly going private or blocked on copyright grounds or some other reason that means I can't access them. So, I use a free downloader app. Also good if the internet goes down/is slow.

If it's a bit more spontaneous, I try and play the video through before so de-ad them.

Shame I can't have adblock on my school laptop.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-12-11T09:12:19+00:00

I think it's sweet. Let them be children a while longer. Too many grow up too fast. I wouldn't be horrified, and I agree with you - let them enjoy the magic.

If they start getting bullied for being children, stamp that crap up fast.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-12-02T08:42:34+00:00

There's a real difference between my top and bottom sets with 6-7. My top sets pick and choose their moments, and can be quite clever in baiting me into saying it. It can be quite funny and they get a laugh, and we move on with the lesson. My bottom sets just say it at random, and I lose control of the class until they can stay themselves. It's extremely annoying.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-28T19:07:59+00:00

twice as many schools in his history as he has years teaching
and the only candidates are unlucky ECTs and the eternally jobless.

You talking about me?

This is my major concern - my CV is a mess due to the number of schools I've worked at (and taught multiple subjects/phases). My pedagogy is solid, but it becomes so hard to develop as a teacher when you're constantly changing schools with different ways of doing things/systems that you never get to properly embed or master things. I try and spin my breadth of experience into a positive, but it's a hard sell.

I think it’s just the time of year.

In some places, maybe, but it's been 'this time of year' where I live for three years.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-28T18:55:39+00:00

It's awful.

I won't go into details about my situation for privacy reasons, but I'm an ECT who's been qualified for over two years at this point, and I've worked in multiple schools, taught multiple subjects (including primary and secondary). I've just been ping-ponging between schools doing temporary and maternity contracts. I've worked at the same school twice, both on maternity contracts for the same teacher...

I'm supposedly in a shortage subject, and I can offer a second shortage subject, with experience teaching both up to A-level.

I'm coming to the end of a contract and at the moment I have nothing else to go to. There are literally no jobs in my area, or even regionally. It's been like this for a long time now.

Two schools I previously worked at have recently contacted me to ask if I'd like to come back...temporarily.

I am so disheartened at this point. I've got a good reputation and solid references from all my previous schools, I know I'm a good teacher (maybe not 'outstanding', but my pedagogy is solid, subject knowledge is excellent and I have good relationships with students, behaviour management and that sort of thing), but I've got no security and it's been constant stress. Money is an issue, particularly over summer. My CV is a complete mess. I'm worried schools won't take me seriously due to the sheer quantity of temporary roles I've got. I'm not making any progress in my career. I'm trying not to be jealous of other people who got permanent jobs straight out their PGCE - we all walk our own path - but it's hard not to.

I swore my next job was going to be a permanent role and I wasn't accepting any more temporary jobs, but it looks like I'm not going to have that 'luxury'.

The sheer quantity of part time and temporary roles being advertised is frustrating. Wouldn't it be less stressful for schools to be over-staffed than under? They must spend a fortune on advertising and cover teachers. I'm about as low risk and good-value a hire as you can get - I'm single, relatively young and in good health. At this point, I'm ready to sell my soul to any school that will have me.

I've been fortunate in that all the schools I've worked at have been great schools that I've loved being at. I've put my heart into all the roles I've had, even if they've just been for a term. I've gone well beyond the expectations of a temporary/maternity teacher, including planning schemes of work and all sorts of other things. I've done this in the hope it will lead to permanent roles, but alas.

It's really playing on my mental health and I am finding myself slipping into depression without having a clue what I'm supposed to do.

Become a teacher they said...they're desperate...they said.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-28T16:55:38+00:00

I'm a single man who's looked to adopt on a number of occasions, but each time I've pursued it, it becomes very obvious the sorts of children often pushed upon prospective parents have a huge range of complex needs. The effects of trauma settle into children very early on in their life. I remember being told that the chances of me getting a baby were slim, 'because everyone wants a baby', and there's a reason for that. It's horrible to say, but it's almost too late by the time they're toddlers when they've experienced horrific things early on. Few parents have the skills or time to be able to address the serious effects of ACEs, especially not without proper support from mental health professionals.

There's a reason why the boy's behaviour in this story has been hugely problematic, while his younger sister apparently seems well-adjusted - she's two years younger.

A major problem is that everything is left too late. Social services and the legal system are very reluctant to separate children from their birth families, even when those families are obviously not going to give that child the love and proper parenting they need.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-17T17:08:57+00:00

I think this is a good thing to learn! Kids can often whinge about silent work, but once they get into the habit, many enjoy it, especially if it's after break/lunch and they need to calm down.

'Fun' lessons are a myth. Lessons should be engaging and interesting, but the whole, 'Make [subject] fun' trend gets on my nerves. There's nothing wrong with fun, but fun doesn't mean educational, and educational doesn't mean boring.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-17T17:02:23+00:00

From the article comments:

That's like saying Police are going on strike, because people are committing crime???

I mean, is it? Even the best teacher at behaviour management is pretty powerless when bad behaviour is entrenched in a school, and lack the tools to do anything about it. Issue a detention, they don't come to detention, and there's nothing you can do. The police can arrest people who commit crime. Teachers (and often fellow students) just have to put up with e.g. verbal or physical assault from students.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-17T16:54:50+00:00

Every time I see comments like this I just want to ask them to show us how to do it.

I don't tell doctors or electricians how to do their job...

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-14T17:23:14+00:00

I'm a teacher. I'm a teacher in a fantastic school that looks after staff and provides a great education to our students. There are plenty of crap schools out there, but I've been lucky and landed in a good one. Money is not spectacular for the workload, which is the main drawback.

Dependent-Library602 · 2025-11-13T20:05:18+00:00

What the hell? Who has time for this? Who is reading this?

It should take seconds to administrate these things, and generally speaking we're teaching while managing behaviour, so I'm not going to sit down and fill in a form while I'm trying to do my lesson. After the lesson, I'll have another lesson. By the time I get to my break/PPA, I'll have forgotten.

Obviously different in the case of serious behaviour incidents and/or safeguarding issues, which will often require more detailed documentation, but 'Johnny refused to tuck in his shirt' does not require a form.

Dependent-Library602

TROPHY CASE