Keeping your cool in a classroom.

 Picture the scene: you're surrounded, chaos is everywhere you look, you're dodging missiles, and all you can hear is screaming. 

 Now you have some choices: you can do nothing at all, which is certainly an easy, if slightly soul destroying method. You can attempt to slowly resolve the issues, whilst keeping your calm, which seems the sensible option. Or, you can blow your top. Unleash hell with a furious explosion, so loud that you can hear it on the dark side of the moon. 

 So, what do you choose to do? Remember you are surrounded by uproar and anarchy. 

 Well in my first solo lesson I chose the final option. I'd mucked up big style by going in underprepared, and I was also exceptionally nervous. I suspect the students picked up on this, and although they gave me a few minutes, after ten it was a warzone. 

 I didn't think, I looked at them, I opened wide, and unleashed a volley of complete nonsense, at ear shredding volume. It was an eye popping display, with spittle flying everywhere.  

 Suddenly, silence. It had worked. Glorious. This was unquestionably the way to go, in fact it was easy. This teaching lark is simplicity itself. But what's this? Where's the silence going? And why are they laughing at me?

 And that's how it went. I'd lost my mind, screamed at the top of my voice, and now they were laughing at me. Humilating though it was, I learned a valuable lesson that day: do not yell, even though it seems the only logical option. 

 So, how can you stay calm when chaos surrounds you? How is it possible to be James Bond cool when the heat has been turned up to an unbearable temperature?

 Well, here's a few ideas that you can use to help you.

 Take your time: 

 Your lesson is not a race, and nor is it essential that you get through every single one of your carefully crafted PowerPoint slides. 

 Focus on maintaining your standards, and teaching the students to run to your time. Don't encourage time wasting, but be content to wait patiently for the students to listen. Adding time on at the end of a lesson can work wonders here. 

 Breath and think: 

  

 Not every problem requires an immediate response. Take a deep breath or two and decide what you are going to do, then act upon it. Do it steadily, and at your own pace. Don't do it any quicker, just because a fourteen year old banshee is screaming at you, demanding justice after their pen has been stolen. It's your classroom, do it on your terms. 

 Have a plan: 

 I personally have a list of actions and a list of consequences, that I take with me to every school. It's harder as a supply teacher, as you can't get that much needed consistency. However, I make sure every crime is punished consistently. 

 On my list is every possible classroom misdemeanour, and alongside it is a punishment I think is suitable. 

 I never change the punishment, and eventually students know what's coming.

Also I don't have to think, as I already know what punishment they will receive. 

 Don't fear the teacher: 

We all have colleagues who judge, or we're all paranoid enough to think we are being judged by others.

 "My classroom is like a warzone, what will Mr Jenkins think?" 

 Try and avoid thinking this at all, and remember that this is your class and not theirs. What they think, or what you think they might be thinking is adding unneeded pressure on yourself. 

Lighten up: 

 You do not need to be a comedian, and you don't need to be the popular teacher, but you also don't need to be a misery guts who can't take a joke. 

 Relax your shoulders, speak to the students, and address them slowly and steadily. Ignore any giggling or muttering that you know is aimed at you, and don't take things personally. 

 Deal with every behaviour issue sensibly. Make sure poor behaviour is punished, but again make sure you do it your way. Isolate the offenders, and don't try and tackle 30 at once. 

 Let them do the heavy lifting:

 You have 30 students in your classroom, so use them. Get them to hand books out, and to collect them in. Make sure they are the ones who are working hard, not just you. 

 Let them tidy the room, and make sure you have plenty of spare equipment (make sure that those who haven't brought equipment are punished). Slowly but surely they'll get used to doing things for themselves, and it will save you unnecessary work and stress. 

 

 Also don't jump the second they demand it. Explain that they must firstly attempt the work themselves, and then ask a partner for help, before demanding and screaming for you. 

 

Ultimately, don't be passive, but don't be agressive either. Be firm, and clear. Remember that you are an adult, and that you are in charge. 

 Breath deeply, take your time, and be prepared. You might fight some battles at first, and it might seem counterintuitive, but little by little your calm approach will prevail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A student I'll never forget.

I was once, a few years ago, sent to work in a notoriously tough school. I was going to be there for a few months, and to have my own classes in this time. 

 

 And it was the year 10 class that I will never forget. 

 They were a group of students who had been put together as they couldn't behave in other lessons. The head of department had decided to put them all into one group and take them himself, but now he was off sick, and I was going to take them on myself.

 Now, these were not in any way easy going, but disengaged students. They could be angry, violent and needlessly argumentative, but little by little they began to thaw towards me.  

 My first lesson was a complete disaster, and ended with them all walking out of the lesson with 5 minutes remaining. However, with patience and time I managed to win them round.

 

I never shouted, or patronised them. I just stuck to my guns and handed out consistent sanctions when they were needed, which they frequently were.

 

 I could tell you horror stories about these students, but I loved that group. We had lessons where they worked, we had lessons where we did absolutely nothing as we battled with eachother, and we had lessons where we just talked about them, and what they liked .

 I was building their trust, and it was a long and drawn out process, but with some of these students I felt like I was really making a breakthrough. 

 One student in particular stood out. She was a tiny girl, named Charlie, with a fierce temper, who'd tormented teachers everywhere she went. 

 

 Charlie seemed to hate me at first, and tried her best to disrupt already difficult lessons. However, over time, she seemed to warm to me. After a month she started to contribute positively to lessons, and started to produce good work.

 Suddenly she was a different girl in my lessons, but unfortunately this was not reflected elsewhere in the school. 

However, I was seeing her mature and become a student I was really enjoying teaching.

 Sadly, the time came for me to leave the school, and I explained this to the class at the end of a lesson. They didn't seem overly bothered, such was their way, and they left without really saying a thing. At least they left on time, which showed a marked improvement from my first day with them.

 

 An hour or so later, whilst clearing the room after a year 7 lesson, Charlie walked into the room. 

 She handed me a folded piece of paper, and said "I wrote this for you sir" "oh, thanks, when?" I replied a little choked "In my last lesson, sir, I never work for Miss Brown, so thought I'd write this instead" was her grinning response. 

 It was a letter, which I thanked her heartily for, as being a supply teacher you tend to come and go without any thanks or fanfare. 

 It might seem like a tiny thing, a letter from a student, but to me it was incredibly touching and more than enough payment for being able to teach that "difficult" class. 

 Within the letter she thanked me for being patient with her, and not shouting at her when she made mistakes. 

 The letter made me cry, as it was the last thing I ever expected, and it was a moment where I could see that I'd made an impact on someone's life. It might have been a small contribution but I was proud to be a teacher that day.

 

 I went back to the school a year later, and asked a teacher about Charlie and said I'd been wondering how she was getting on. They shrugged indifferently and told me that she'd been permenantly  excluded.

 

 I've never been more gutted for a student, and was so disappointed that she couldn't fulfil the potential that she'd shown in my lessons.

What did you say to me?

A short post here on a few of the worst things students ever said to me. It's amazing what kids will say to someone they don't think they'll ever see again. 

 "Aren't you ashamed to be a supply teacher? Could you not get a proper job?" 

"Do you just work to get paid and get laid?"

"What the fuck are you doing? You fucking cunt" 

 "How big is your cock?"

"I wish you were dead, I want miss back"

"You look like a gypsy, do you live in a caravan?" 

 

"Where's sir, is he dead?"

"We don't have to listen to you, you're only a supply" 

"No offence sir, but I'm not going to do any work"

"I'm not calling you sir, I don't respect you, and you don't have a knighthood"

"You look like a serial killer"

"Want to go out with my mum"

"What do you think of miss, sir? I think she's fit as fuck"

"I don't fucking care, I'm going to work for my dad anyway"

"I'm leaving this lesson and going for a shit"

"Your voice is so dull, it makes me want to kill myself"

"Nice arse, sir"

"You're sound, as I don't have to work in your lesson"

"Oh good, a supply teacher, I can text my boyfriend all lesson"

Behaviour: it's getting worse

 Now, I don't like to be all doom and gloom, despite the output of this blog suggesting the contrary at times.   

However, having worked in education for a number of years, I can say objectively that behaviour is getting worse, to the point where it is out of control at some schools, with the most worrying fact that very little is being done.

 

 Last year I was assigned to a school during an Ofsted inspection, which is a topic I shall discuss another day, and during those two days the behaviour of the students was near perfect. 

 I'd been to this school before, a highly thought of school in an affluent area, but the students had not behaved like this at all. In fact I'd had a child storm out calling me a "wanker" when I questioned their lack of effort, confiscated 4 phones from a "great" class, and had to clear up the mess after one class decided to stop working and make paper aeroplanes. 

 So why was the behaviour good this time? 

Well, it's simple: there were members of the management team all over the corridors. Not a minute went by without the heartacher or a deputy passing the classroom, or poking their head in to check on things. They had made a special effort to leave the offices they usually seem glued to, to patrol the school like vigilant police officers.  

 The school was rated "outstanding" for behaviour, and gave itself a huge pat on the back for an inspecting team well fooled. 

 

 For fooled they were, as in the past few months I've been back to that school and seen: doors kicked of hinges by students in PE; children roaming the corridors at will throughout lessons; and I know two teachers who have been punched by students, whilst breaking up violent fights in classrooms.

 This is at a "good" school, but in my time in the classroom at a range of schools I've seen a whole class throwing pencils at eachother; witnessed a student throw a cloth on to a heater to start a fire in the classroom; and I've broken up more than 20 fights. 

 I've personally been grabbed round the throat when I asked one student to sit down; had to kick more than one student out for trying to make a phone call in my lesson; and been called a "stupid fucking cunt" when I closed down an inappropriate website that one student was viewing. 

 

 I've also witnessed a sickening fight where two girls were pulling one another's hair out, caught hundreds of students smoking, and know schools where some students aren't even allowed into mainstream lessons, as their behaviour is just so bad. 

 Now not all of these examples are daily occurrences for me, but on an hourly basis I have to deal with students who can't be quiet, who interrupt the lesson constantly, who throw objects, who swear and steal, and on occasion those who just decide to walk out of the lesson.

 Classroom behaviour is getting worse, and less is being done to combat it and it's cause. The majority of the crimes go unpunished, or the blame is shifted to the teacher, and exclusions only happen in the absolute worst case scenarios. For example: neither of the students who punched a teacher were given so much as a day of exclusion. 

 Teachers are seemingly told to try and make their lessons fun to keep these students attentive and improve their behaviour, which to me feels like rewarding poor behaviour and empowering those students who already like things their own way. Misbehave all you want because you'll be rewarded by fun lessons designed just for you. 

 Behaviour should be a huge concern, but so many school leaders seem more focused on their statistics, and how their school is viewed by outsiders, that they've taken their eye off what is happening inside the classrooms, playgrounds and corridors of their school. 

 It's frightening what happens in schools, and I personally cannot wait to escape it all when I leave education behind in July, and I know plenty of other teachers who feel exactly the same. 

 

"This is a really good class"

 These are words to beware as a supply teacher; as they can often be incredibly misleading. 

 The "good class" usually refers to a top set who their teacher has taught for a number of years. The group that hang on their every word, but as a result aren't too interested in listening to anybody else. 

 I was once told this about a top set Science group. "Lovely set this" said the teacher, "won't be a spot of bother" 

 I was too young to know any better so I expected good things. I was looking forward to teaching this class so I went in positive. 

 "Can a few of you hand these books out for me?" I said cheerily, to a class that didn't look to keen on listening to me, as they were so engrossed in their own conversations. 

 "Do it your fucking self" said the one kid who was bothering to listen to me; the others couldn't even stand to look at me, as I was clearly not good enough for them. 

 Suddenly it became apparent that it wasn't a nice group at all; it was a bunch of teens who'd only respect people they knew. I had to earn their respect. 

 I gave them a starter that they didn't do, put on a short film that they didn't watch, and then went through a detailed lesson through which they barely batted an eyelid. 

 

 I fought my way through the lesson, putting up with verbal abuse, a complete lack of effort, and students who wouldn't even look at me when I spoke to them.

At one point a student got a magazine out and started reading it, completely ignoring my initially polite request to put it away I took action. I took it, tore it in half, and threw it in the bin.

 I'd had enough and unleashed hell. I was shouting and throwing everything I had at this class. They were paying attention now but weren't happy about being challenged. 

 I kept them in for ten minutes after the lesson, and all I could hear from them was "pathetic" and "wanker" said to be heard. 

 I had never come across such a rude bunch of students. A truly foul class who had obviously left their manners in their mansions.

 When I told the teacher after the lesson he said the ever helpful lie: "well they're never like that for me" 

 If you believe that, you'll believe anything. 

How to survive a cover lesson.

 I've already written about how the average supply lesson starts, and how unnerving and horrible that can be for the supply teacher. 

 So what do you do when faced with the unruly mob? What do you do if no work is left? And what do you do if the students are in the classroom already? 

 I'll answer these questions, and more. I'll also highlight the basic errors that you need to make sure you avoid at all costs. 

 Now nothing here is guaranteed to work, as you'll eventually come across students who will not comply, but this should help you to avoid absolute mayhem. 

 So you've made it to the room and there's the typical riot of excitement from the students. 

 So what to do now? If the students are already in the room, I would advise that you send them back out. Be firm, don't shout and scream, but be very clear. 

 Give yourself a minute to then swiftly straighten the room up, locate the work, and be sure that you have the necessary resources. 

Always have pens, paper, and colouring pencils in abundance. You'll need them and having them allows you to avoid students holding the lesson up further. Also make sure you have a packet of tissues. You don't want to let a student out of the room for silly little reasons. 

 Now this is important, and it might sound contrary, but right now the work doesn't matter. Getting the students settled and ready to work on your terms is vital. 

 Get to the door, and address the students and explain that they cannot enter the room until they're quiet, and in a straight line. This might take a while but they'll realise that they aren't going to get their way. 

 If the majority won't be quiet, then you can start to let in the few who are and explain that they need to take their coats off, put their bags away and have their equipment out. Slowly but surely you'll get every student into the classroom, and if some won't comply you explain the consequences.

 This all might take time, but with patience you'll avoid disaster. If you have a seating plan then make sure you enforce it, although if you don't then form a line of boys and a line of girls and send them into the room in a boy/girl seating plan, which is still surprisingly effective. 

 Now make sure you continue to set your standards by making sure that no student is wearing a coat, and that bags are under tables. 

 This might all take a while but you aren't letting the students dictate the lesson. You're making it clear that you are in charge, and that they aren't going to have it their way.

 Now if there's no work there are a number of things you can do to provide you with time. Firstly ask the students to write the date in their books, and write 3 things that they learnt last lesson. Go round asking students to tell you their list, and show that you are interested in what they are doing. 

Try and have a class discussion for a few minutes and ask the students to get involved in the lesson. Try and break the lesson up as much as possible to avoid boredom.

Whatever topic they are doing remember that YouTube is your friend. There will be a five minute video on just about every single topic on earth. 

 Always ask for access to the school's computer system as it allows you a number of advantages. Access to the internet, and also allows you to type up the instructions for a lesson without having to turn your back on the students. 

 Ask the students to make notes on the video, or if you want show it twice. Tell them to make notes on the second watch. I'll be honest at this time you're playing for time.

 Never tell them that you don't have work, as they'll always refuse to do what you try and give them. Be a good salesman and convince them that this work is of paramount importance. 

 A quick emergency lesson can be: write a newspaper report on the topic they have been doing. They can do a spider diagram of their ideas, draw and colour a picture, and develop their literacy with the range of approaches a newspaper article offers. Quotes, headlines, subheadings etc.

 This isn't a waste of a lesson, allows the students to do something of worth, and gives you plenty that you can tell them to add so you don't run of work.

 So what should you avoid? 

 

 Do not be a fool, you know the students aren't allowed to go to the toilet; so don't let them. You'll hear "our teacher lets us" a lot, so just explain that you aren't their teacher, so they won't be today" 

 Don't scream at them and shout, wait for them to listen to you, and hold your nerve. It might take five minutes but they'll get it eventually. 

 Don't put music on, don't allow them to sit on phones or have earphones in, and don't let a student sit and do nothing without consequences.

 Whether you know their name or not you can leave a description to their teacher, or ask any passing teacher into the lesson to tell you their name. There's a good chance this student will be well known.

 Always send out the worst offenders, and praise those who are working. Sending out those who aren't working or who are misbehaving might seem old fashioned but you have to remove their audience and explain the consequences to them one-to-one. 

 If you stand at the front screaming about detentions you'll get no respect. So give yourself time to think and explain the consequences in a calm manner. Be sure to follow up with these too. 

 

 For a plenary there are plenty of online quizzes, videos and resources that you can use. Use the internet, use the TES website, sporcle quizzes, and again YouTube.

 Make sure the students tidy the room up, and don't let them leave until it's acceptable. 

 At the end of the lesson make sure you go round tidying up. Teachers are protective over their classrooms so make sure you leave it spotless. 

 Also give as much feedback as possible. Make sure the school know that no work was left, and that every student who needs reporting is, regardless of number. 

 Ultimately, stay calm, be patient, and hold your nerve. Be as clear as you can, and keep the work simple and accessible. 

 Punish poor behaviour, reward the good, and never be too proud to ask for help when it's needed. 

This won't turn a chaotic class into a perfect group, but it will show that you are firm and you're not to be messed with. Never be afraid to try something new, and remember you're there to do a job, and not be friends with the students. 

 Take pride in your work, stay in control of your emotions, and avoid letting the students run the lesson. 

 Good luck. 

 

 

 

If we don't act soon, we'll lose even more teachers.

 Teaching can be a lonely profession. This might seem an odd thing to say about a job in which you are in a room with thirty students. 

  It certainly is not lonely when those thirty students are on your wave length, are engaged with their learning, and you can see the pay off of all your hard work. 

  

 However when you're in that classroom and all you can see is chaos, or what is sometimes worse: utter indifference and a sea of disinterested faces; you'll never feel more alone or more isolated. 

  It's suddenly you versus them, and you have little chance of winning. You'll throw everything you have at this group, everything you were taught, every piece of advice you were ever given. 

 

 So where do you turn when this happens? Where the class won't behave, won't work, and simply don't listen to you?

 

 If you work in a supportive school, then you'll turn to your colleagurs and they'll offer you support, give you advice, or even take a few of the worst offenders from your group.

  

 However, this does not often happen. All too often teachers are just left to deal with this alone, all the while developing their insecurities, and leaving them to believe that it's all their fault. 

 

 Behaviour incidents that are reported are treated as inconveniences by heads of department. Others will say "oh that's a good group, and they don't behave that way for me" which is the greatest kick in the teeth a teacher can have.

 I've struggled myself, and had to learn on my own. I feared going in everyday, and was ultimately left alone and dreading that group that wouldn't listen. I battled through and worked myself harder and harder, and just about survived, but I've seen others completely broken by teaching, and ultimately quit the proffession whilst feeling a complete failure. This didn't need to be the case, schools could've done more.

 The schools response to struggling teachers was often to observe the teachers lessons over and over, to apply more pressure, as if it was a lack of effort that was leading to these troubles. 

 We have to do more to help those teachers who are struggling. Alleviate the pressure on them rather than intensifying the pressure or ignoring them and hoping the problem goes away. 

 Schools often don't help those teachers and I've known teachers who are struggling to be given the worst groups in an attempt to force them out of the school. 

 It's sadly been the case that these students will torment a teacher all year and suffer no consequences, but when a student from the class swears at a member of senior leadership they're instantly punished. 

 Schools need to have consistent punishments and let students understand that every member of staff matters. All too often the school give the message that you don't need to respect the struggling teacher, but make sure you respect the hierarchy.

 Members of staff could do more in making schools more pleasant environments also; places where you want to come everyday. 

 

 Teachers walk past eachother without saying hello, staff rooms are often unattended as staff choose to eat alone, and those who are struggling are left alone to stew on their "failings".

 We need to start realising that we can stop teachers walking away from the proffession by actually being supportive, positive and welcoming.

 

 So many potentially great teachers have walked away as they felt alone, and were tired of not being listened to: not just by the students but more significantly my other members of staff.