It doesn't seem like that long ago that I wrote a blog about mock exams1. Many schools now have multiple mock phases, some even starting in year 10, but now, finally, with the actual GCSE exams in full swing, the end is here. Sounds ominous doesn't it? The end is here. The end is nigh.... Continue Reading →
Parents!
Ah, parents! Who'd be one? It's about the only thing in adult life you don't need a license or test to do. Just about anyone can be a parent1, but does that mean everyone should be? That's not for me to decide2, but if you are going to be a parent, you should at least... Continue Reading →
Recruit! Retain!
This time of year is a difficult time for teachers and students. The sun has started shining1, but students are about to do their exams and you are out of time2. It happens like this every year. You start counting down to the exams, comfortably in double figures of lessons then you come back after... Continue Reading →
Absence
And we're back! Did you miss it? The thirty seconds you got to catch up with your work buddies? The rush of thirty (or more) faces looking at you, waiting for you to fill them with your knowledge and expertise? The feeling of panic when you see the queue at the photocopier? Relax, it's the... Continue Reading →
Holiday!
Oh thank God for that! Right now you are probably too exhausted to celebrate the achievement of making it through another term, but you should. Switch your laptop off. If you're a particularly keen1 member of staff, remove all work email from your phone: no notifications, no sneaky reading them. Have some time off. You... Continue Reading →
The Manosphere
What a shit title. The Manosphere. What the hell does that even mean? The world of men? Hasn't it always been a man's world? When I sat down to write this today, I'm fresh off watching the acclaimed documentary 'Into The Manosphere' by Louis Theroux. It's advertised as an expose of the world of male... Continue Reading →
Parental Involvement
There's two weeks to go until the Easter holidays, and it seems everyone I meet in schools is on their knees. I talked about burnout a couple of weeks ago1, and given it's now later in the term, the burnout is in danger of turning into long term sickness due to stress. Nice bit of... Continue Reading →
The Easiest Place To Be In A Classroom
Frequent readers of this blog will know that a major part of my new role is to coach teachers and work with them to improve practice. I am not arrogant enough to think I know everything about teaching1, but I do believe watching others teach is a sure fire way to improve what you do.... Continue Reading →
Interviews
It's that time of year when we start thinking about possibly moving schools and looking for a new job or challenge. Teachers usually have to give half a term's notice before resigning and the job market starts to ramp up from now, ready for next September. It has been over twenty years since I was... Continue Reading →
Burnout
You've been back a week since half term! A whole week at work after a whole week off - you must be flying high, right? Energy levels at the highest they've been since September, lessons going brilliantly, students finally accepting you and their behaviour is impeccable, right? Wrong. So, so wrong. Why the hell do... Continue Reading →
David Watkins 