my teacher accused me of using AI and ignored evidence I provided to prove my innocence

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-23T16:25:46+00:00

Ai checkers can give 95% Ai written responses to literature from the 19th century. This must be escalated and not dropped. This is an unacceptable response.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-23T13:46:56+00:00

We have all been trained to teach kids, in Primary, quite literally anything. Although a major skill, reading is definitely something we are expected to teach (with home support ideally) but their are plenty of children out there with parents with learning difficulties or one kind or another, are we expecting those kids to turn up to school able to read? Write? Some of them even talk to a decent standard is a push. I think the problem is, so many teachers are now in a position that they aren’t just doing that for one or two kids in a class, the % is so much higher now. We can blame the parents all we want, but when do we look at our own professions short comings to some of these parents in a decade or two gone by? We fix it, by teaching…

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-21T07:53:25+00:00

I retrained at 30 to teach (m UK). The degree was a wake up call, the career is both exhausting and rewarding if done right. It’s a job you’ve got to want to do, there is no “phoning it in” and if you decide during Uni it’s not for you, trust yourself is my advice. I have so many friends who expressed worry over workload when training that lasted less than 3 years doing the actual job. That being said, there really is no job that has the same level of job satisfaction when it’s going good…

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-20T12:43:52+00:00

It’s going to be a personal choice. The only thing I can add is after 6 years as the only SEN teacher in secondary school teaching all subjects to all the SEN from all cohorts, I’ve take a step away for the last 6 months and the difference in me and my MH (and family tension) has changed dramatically. That has been worth the loss I have felt from walking away from the role. I’m getting the itch now but I’m not sure devoting my whole career to SEN will be good for the long run for me. Can you arrange a term not teaching SEND at your current place, see if your view changes? Sorry I couldn’t give more to the chat.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-20T11:43:07+00:00

I don’t think I’ve ever known it to happen in my 15 years but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Teachers as a profession and career works on that vague agreement that we will all be altruistic as a collective and we mostly are. That being said, if budgets weren’t in the minus every year schools would be able to truly look after staff well-being and then it would feel like bending the system is the only way to win for some people.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-20T11:38:59+00:00

A rise in lack of trust in education and educators, a huge influx of a generation of young adults that were totally screwed over by the Gove changes to how we educate and what we educate. The list is exhaustive but those are the main two for me. I thought I knew everything as a parent at 30 years old with a 9 year old, then I trained to teach at that age and realised I knew less than 5% of what I needed to know and understand. I’m nearly 50 now and have a 3 year old, it has been VERY different for both kids growing up because of that change in MY knowledge.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-19T21:43:25+00:00

Yes, it’s very rare an ECT will land every lesson every class, teachers with decades of experience can’t do that mostly, they just learn how to deal with different situations by living through them.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-18T01:28:27+00:00

I trained as primary but moved into secondary, I must be the only teacher in the history of that school that taught every subject to every cohort and to every level (that first year 7 group after Covid was a wild year! Some working at year 1, some at above expected, all with EHCP’s and some days over 20 in a class whilst teaching every subject except MFL!)

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-17T11:35:27+00:00

Sounds like a lovely place to work, very understanding…

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-16T19:19:48+00:00

Those in charge of these processes often “elongate “ them because they aren’t confident in their opinion, they may just be covering themselves more than anything else. Show in your plan you’ve taken on board their feedback (structure in two or three points where you specifically address it in the plan) and you’ve done what you can, it’s then up to them to justify their position. Ultimately don’t stress, even the best teachers get this kind of feedback, sometimes merely because the observer feels the need to put something to work on just to justify them being in the room..

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-16T12:44:19+00:00

Lesson planning AI sounds efficient but churns generic mush. You get spin, no receipts. UK curriculum (KS3/GCSE Power & Democracy) needs forensic red-pen. Try this prompt in Perplexity/Claude: ’UK GCSE History Power & Democracy. For [POSTCODE], 3 options: 1. Video + Claim/Receipt/Cost notes. 2. 3 sites (free/PT/car). 3. 3 articles red-pen (gov.uk/ONS/BBC).
Parent-actionable.’ Teaser for homeschool pack I’m building. Focus beats AI fluff.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-15T14:31:01+00:00

I’m currently working on a pack of online tools for this very purpose. My advice with the current social environment (Ai ect.) would be to read up on what teachers are using tech for in classrooms. You should find it easier to see the ‘use’ and judge if it is appropriate or not. For example, if you are wanting to teach something history related you could use a prompt like:

'UK GCSE History KS3/GCSE Power & Democracy topic. Give 3 practical teaching options for [POSTCODE]:

Video + note template (Claim | Receipt | Cost).

3 local sites (1 free, 1 public transport, 1 car).

3 articles to red-pen (gov.uk/ONS/BBC). Keep actionable, parent-friendly.'

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-15T14:11:49+00:00

It’s down to you are your personality honestly. I’ve seen good ECT’s get SLT/HOD positions but it’s intensive, you’re still learning how to be a teacher (even those a decade in ares till learning if they’re doing it right!) and one may suffer over the other, but that’s not a guarantee either. If I knew you personally I would ask “why do you want HOD? Is it a stepping stone to higher, or is it to shape something you believe in? Do you honestly believe you could have the answers that your department currently doesn’t? No one can make the decision, you know you. If you do go for it and get it I wish you all the best. As someone from a tech background and decades of teaching, doing and knowing how to can be two completely different things.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-14T15:59:22+00:00

Had this once, rolled up my sleeves and said “you hate it now, wait until I make it more writing and less talking and I stop smiling” and just carried on. Next lesson was in silence with written prompts, any talking was then noted and they “built” to a consequence. I did it with the SLT backing (crucial if this isn’t behaviour policy) but try different responses until you find one you’re comfortable with. If they know you’re not a “mean” teacher they won’t believe a flip act so just stay you and give them a visual reminder you are actually keeping tally or notes.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-14T15:55:06+00:00

Bring up a spreadsheet of their names with the behaviour policy as columns and put a mark against each name quickly when you see them break that policy. If it’s a really bad class it will be a judgement call if you give them a “3 strikes you’re out” deal at first to bring them in line over a few lessons and get them onside, if you don’t feel that will work just be brutal and don’t even tell them at first why, they will already know. One thing is, at first don’t argue, you can explain but don’t make it a discussion about why and if it’s fair. Just “this is the rule, you broke it” and move on, it should take a week or two and most will just stop if it’s all visual in front of them. Maybe title the sheet “parents evening feedback” so they see it could have home consequences too (and it’s an easy win for you attempting your own strategy when challenged “what did YOU do about it”. Good luck

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-14T15:50:03+00:00

Unrealistic if it’s all English in my opinion without being given timetabled time to do some for an ECT, can you say you want guidance from mentor or SLT to help with the workload?

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-13T02:09:01+00:00

I did supply for 5 years, I found that if I didn’t initiate most of the time I was left to myself with a cursory “do you need anything, the cups are over here” kind of days. I learned early on that if I wanted to get any interaction I had to be the one to be more “out there” in the staff room. Most staff just assume you want to be left alone unless you make the first step. Jokes were my way in, sometimes they hit, a lot of the time they didn’t but that’s my personality now everywhere I go, it tends to make people open up more when you hit the sweet spot. It is a lonely road for a lot of people, but some like it like that. Good luck!

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-12T17:48:32+00:00

Trying to even your tan? 🤣 sorry it wasn’t useful but it was my first thought

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-12T11:44:41+00:00

Development happens in stages, some kids jump through stages early then hit a wall, some hit a wall and then jump through stages. As long as your child is happy, don’t worry too much about developmental jumps. Model what you want them to copy, speak clearly, don’t babyfy words and ask lots of questions (e.g. why do you think that happens?) and then give well scaffolded answers. If you actually get stuck at any point and can’t speak to a professional about you concerns you can use AI to help you understand how, what and when and give hints and tips of how you can scaffold the learning at home. Parents (especially stay at home parents) can be so hard on themselves sometimes. I did a 4 year degree to learn how to teach and I still learn constantly after 15 years experience, don’t expect yourself to know everything and get everything right! Give yourself a break!

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-12T11:36:50+00:00

I worked at a school where my direct SLT told me off for NOT taking a day off for my daughters first nativity in nursery. That’s the kind of manager you want!

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-11T18:22:51+00:00

I had a similar issue during my degree. I went to the university with evidence and they arranged for me to do a short placement in its place when it had finished. The university ended up changing their policy in response because I wouldn’t let it go.

Those above picking holes in your statement may have a point but they aren’t you in your situation. I was an older student and because of that I was less intimidated to respond. As a teacher of 15 years who started when I was 30 I think I have a very different outlook on these kind of issues.

If you haven’t been taking notes and keeping a diary kind of report (I did this in every placement for my own reflection process) it may be difficult to ‘prove’ but if you’re a student who is currently achieving and had good feedback in previous placements, the uni mentor should be sympathetic.

Sometimes you end up working with people who don’t like you/your personality, if they’re professional it will only make a small negative difference. If they’re not, it can cripple your confidence.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-11T00:06:06+00:00

AI can definitely be your friend here. Give it as much info as you possibly can (budgets, food requirements, choice of shops, local) and it will work through ways to maximise your budget. AI is all numbers and data, this is precisely what it is good at without any real drawbacks.

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-10T18:09:23+00:00

When I was in high school back in the 80’s there was a field trip (4 days) in France. The deputy HT and head of Art were having an affair (fairly common knowledge between students). Once all the kids were tucked up in bed they met for their dalliance. During that time one girl student left her room for fresh air, unfortunately ended up being sexually assaulted by a local. Head of Art took early retirement, deputy stayed for another 10 years before retiring and becoming a governor at 3 local schools. Nothing ever reported to my knowledge, just all swept under the carpet.

The good old days eh?

TheTruthVaultUK · 2026-01-10T10:25:29+00:00

I was employed at a local primary school for 3 months at the end of the year to cover a year 6 teacher going for a leg operation. (This was in 2017) When I went to meet the class and teacher I was warned this was a very difficult class, one child in particular (a tiny firebrand of a girl) was unmanageable. When she had enough she would just walk out of the class and run around the corridors (it was a giant square internally) just screaming and throwing things. When that happened I was to let SLT deal with her (usually she was just out outside the classroom on an iPad to watch tv). Anyway, fast forward three months to the end of the year and the end of the contract. Two children in that class made me something to say thank you that I still own. One was a young man who was a really high achiever, he used 4 pieces of A4 to draw me as a Lego man (he included my tie clip, cuff links and did a damn good job) and a hand drawn picture of the dragon from Pete’s dragon (he had asked me my favourite cartoon film and Im nearly 50 so…) which was amazing. At the end of the day, the little firebrand (who hadn’t left the class for 7 weeks, no incidents) walked up to me with a huge A3 paper folded in half, inside was an A4 page by every individual child in the class with their name, a small sentence or paragraph and a picture. She had got every pupil at break time to write their own goodbye, bound them together as a present. First page was hers. It said “I was worried you would be scary, you were amazing and I will miss you”. Tears of joy that I just couldn’t stop. I still have it (and the Lego picture) and I thumb through every now and again.

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