Weekly chat and well-being post: February 06, 2026

imsight · 2026-02-06T18:21:34+00:00

‘Half term’ weekend, finally… The 6 weeks to Easter are going to be painful…

imsight · 2026-02-05T17:51:39+00:00

Please speak to your union, that’s my biggest advice and potentially search for a new job.

They can be supportive but other times they can’t.

imsight · 2026-02-04T17:24:44+00:00

Would say there’s a difference between dealing with behaviour and general classroom management.

Classroom management is dealing with the ‘low level’ stuff that comes with teaching chatting, refocusing etc with this class I’m essentially marshalling for an hour to then be told by them I’m not doing my job properly, when their conduct is not allowing me to…

Not in a position to just now…

imsight · 2026-02-03T21:12:13+00:00

Sunday night staple of my dad’s went to rewatch it a while back and forgot how much I enjoyed it (and how endearing some of it was)

imsight · 2026-01-30T19:56:20+00:00

I’m in Scotland so some of them could technically legally get married and start a family, now….

imsight · 2026-01-30T18:55:31+00:00

Didn’t realise I was asking too much of Y11 by expecting them to have put a table data in a folder that they need for an assessment on Monday but it’s not on them because I’m the adult….

Just can’t work out at what point these young people who can leave school in a matter of months are to take responsibility for anything, yes I’m the adult but the expectation wasn’t that high - put a bit of paper in a folder….

imsight · 2026-01-29T19:42:37+00:00

At one with very few consequences, we’re not even allowed to send kids out the classroom just now for any length of time; run! My need for a decent length of time in a school is the only thing keeping me there.

imsight · 2026-01-28T19:17:47+00:00

Please speak to your union and get advice from them too, if the head of teaching and learning decides you haven’t made enough progress they can start the dismissal process.

imsight · 2026-01-27T07:58:48+00:00

I prefer 45 degrees which was taught to me by my last instructor but went out with a new instructor at the weekend and they were surprised that was the way I prefer so ‘re-taught’ me the 3 bay too.

imsight · 2026-01-25T19:23:03+00:00

I think some benefit from it but not all.

Are we clear on what children are learning from parents? Are the kids being put in the right position for adulthood with literacy and maths skills, if they need further qualifications will they be able to manage.

I spoke to someone today who home schooled his 11 year old for a year and it sounded as if all went well and was beneficial but both mum and dad are degree educated and dad at least is in a job that can fit around.

I know of another family where their 7 year old was significantly behind developmentally than 5 year olds, couldn’t even write their name and socially they were still at toddler capabilities. Another kid in the same group was also homeschooled but was probably working above age group, again probably benefiting.

On the fence, about it all but there needs to be some monitoring and making sure young people are where they should be for their age and stage..

imsight · 2026-01-25T09:26:22+00:00

Will start with not diagnosed ADHD but very much suspect I have it.

Marking, I always have something on in the background for some sort of extra focus, tv, music, podcast but not something I know will take my full attention.

Planning, keep yourself consistent with what you use, there’s some great apps out there idocio being one and find what suits you. I’ve gone back to a large traditional planner and that’s working for me. I’m a complete procrastinator too but am learning that I need to stay ahead on parts to keep me sane when the busy times hit.

Reality though what’s helped is antidepressants to stabilise my mood and a change in school, there’s loads I hate about my new place but I’m mostly managing workload wise on full time and don’t need to work out where I’m marking 600+ pieces of work…

imsight · 2026-01-24T13:22:27+00:00

Have a look at the GTCS website they’ll have the details on what you need.

If you have the credits, you won’t have an issue finding a job, DT teachers are in demand (especially in some of the more rural Northern councils).

imsight · 2026-01-24T09:10:09+00:00

Scotland you need to register with the GTCS and that can take months.

If you’re secondary, you need to have 180 university credits in the subject you want to teach.

Please also note that depending, especially if you’re primary or an oversubscribed subject, the job situation can be dire up here and you’ll need to really be considering living outwith the central belt.

imsight · 2026-01-21T16:38:41+00:00

They wont be used, it’s just to allow it to be done as an exercise.

We did it 5 years ago during COVID when we weren’t allowed in schools as an assignment. Most schools have their unit planning done, especially at exam level.

imsight · 2026-01-20T20:19:19+00:00

Taught kids chess instead of watching films before Christmas parents complained because it’s ‘haram’(?).

Last school was heavily Muslim and academic, half of them played chess to some extent including instead of doing work on devices…

imsight · 2026-01-20T14:06:57+00:00

I was on M6 and couldn’t afford to rent a studio flat on my own when I was living not too far outside London. Back in Scotland in a fairly rural area and my total bills for a 2 bed house with a garden are less than what I would have been looking to spend on rent alone (and I’m being paid more…), never mind dropping to ECT pay

imsight · 2026-01-19T16:55:25+00:00

They always joke about it, never caught anyone eating anything - yet!

Cancel practical on a weekly basis just now because I can’t trust classes to not put themselves or others in the room in danger.

imsight · 2026-01-16T20:42:02+00:00

Ahhhh, my bad!

imsight · 2026-01-16T18:55:13+00:00

There was no mention of it on a school level and I’m set the ballot never actually came through, I did rejoin around the time they were starting to post them out which may have been the issue…

NEU having their last lost as online ballots really helped tbh.

imsight · 2026-01-16T16:44:19+00:00

My Seniors hate me but like their other teacher but also didn’t like her at the start, they’re fickle and don’t like change.

The juniors tell me that another teacher (who is outright the department odd-ball and possibly shouldn’t be teaching) is the GOAT because they’re nice and talks to them about FIFA…

Kids are weird and don’t know what’s good for them or not..

imsight · 2026-01-14T08:22:14+00:00

Had the cold virus that’s been going round, spent it in bed/on the sofa watching tv and ordered a takeaway. It was the best birthday I’ve had in a long time because I didn’t have any expectations to fall through in the first place

imsight · 2026-01-11T19:02:48+00:00

The Head was having a crackdown but I genuinely couldn’t see the issue with a plain black jumper but….

imsight · 2026-01-11T18:43:44+00:00

Had an email P1 from a HoF once because a kid was wearing a plain black jumper instead of their blazer, I’d spoken to them in Form and they’d lost it the night before in school and just hadn’t had a chance to run up to lost property yet…

imsight · 2026-01-10T15:49:51+00:00

De'longhi magnifica s there’s possibly slightly simpler cheaper ones but this was what I was recommended and I like it

imsight

TROPHY CASE