You’ll know when it’s time. Everybody told me that, and they were right.
I’ve stood alongside the LA and against them. I stand for the child, nobody else. Doesn’t always make you popular!
As I move away from Headship (I have 66 more term time days in school) I’m using “what are they going to do, fire me?” more.
I remember some pretty freezing winters and struggling to walk up Bank Road and Rutland Street to halls from town. Glorious views from Rockside which was halls of residence then.
Didn’t know you were Matlock. I did three years of my teacher training there. Very fond memories. Love the Peak District - we made a flying visit at half term.
Death wish!
That’s got to be AI.
Me too! In a restaurant having an evening meal out with my husband was my best one!
I’ve gone a bit more melancholy than most today! It’s back to Abba again. “Slipping through my fingers”. They grow up so fast …
#FebMusicChallenge26
youtu.be/hRr7qRb-7k4?...
Secondly, Elkie Brooks with “Lilac Wine”. What a voice.
youtu.be/MBXEkPjsEJg?...
After missing a couple of days I’m going for 2 today.
Artist as food - Bread with “If”, a simple little song that makes me cry (doesn’t take much).
#FebMusicChallenge26
youtu.be/n-cK70DXsSA?...
Ha! I’m not sure there’s a market for what I really want to say!
Give TAs high quality training and pay them better so we attract and keep good staff.
Prioritise early intervention in EYFS and KS1 with significant additional input so we stop firefighting in older years.
None of this will be enough without societal change. Schools cannot do it alone.
Where we should all be working together, now we’re too often pitted against each other.
Persuasion is harder than ever, & yes, “I’m a good parent because I’m doing this” is prevalent. Parents *should* advocate for their children, but it’s gone beyond that.
ChatGPT has a lot to answer for, as does the CoP, & every politician who’s talked up parent power & down our professionalism.
So much truth in all this, Michael. I’ve stood alongside parents as they fight for what their child needs, and been frustrated by parents who berate us because of their perception of their child’s needs which doesn’t match what we see in school. I don’t know how this gets solved.
You know there won’t be any. If they really want to solve the problems they need to listen to the people on the ground who know where the money needs to be spent.
And I know how much you love a trip to the dentist 😱
Yep, that’s our line every time. Adaptations are in place, there will be nothing else unless the situation changes. Some parents are quite grumpy with us about that.
We only apply for EHCPs when they’re really needed.
I don’t disagree. One of the problems we are currently facing (and we have well over double the National percentage of EHCPs) is that parents of children who are finding literally any learning a challenge do not accept that adaptations *are* support.
They want plans and adults.
The who is a total minefield now and will remain so. Where is the line between needing some basic adaptations in learning ie what teachers do day in day out, and needing that formalised?
The perfect ending to an Act 1 of a musical. It builds and builds and I’m a sobbing wreck!
#FebMusicChallenge26
youtu.be/AH1gqeAq3jU?...
Lewis Collins - Bodie from The Professionals.
Exactly. So much needs to change in education if good staff are going to be recruited and retained.
I loved Dallas! Watched it religiously.
Wasn’t really aware of Rob Lowe in my youth.
For me it’s never been about the pay, it’s all the other stuff you mention. It’s the things that grind you down & keep you awake either way worry.
For heads of very small schools where they’re not earning much more than a top of scale teacher, pay might not seem worth it for the stress.
Drop a crush from your youth
Second:
“It's a God awful small affair
To the girl with the mousey hair”
Life on Mars by David Bowie.
Completely intriguing from the get go, and still no idea what’s going on by the end, but beautiful in its weirdness.
Also AlienHusband’s favourite song.
youtu.be/AZKcl4-tcuo?...
A bit late to the party tonight, with two choices.
First:
“There are unsmiling faces and bright plastic chains
And a wheel in perpetual motion”
From The turn of a Friendly Card part 1 by The Alan Parsons Project.
It just summons up all sorts of imagery.
youtu.be/L7vyHrT-rsc?...
Me: Let’s visit the farm shop.
Also me: There’s absolutely no way I’m paying £5.50 for a jar of jam or chutney.
Me 2 minutes later: Oh, 2 for £10.00. Ok then.
#HolidaySpendingDoesntCount
Are already taking.
