Acting Head in a specialist primary. Interested in improving the lives of pupils with SEN. Passionate about reading and Makaton. Adult with ADHD. Plus ❤️ MUFC
Do people know about RNIB website? If you have a pupil who has a print disability from dyslexia to VI you can join the website and get thousands of texts in the right font/background colour or size. Game changer for me.
It’s been 96 hours since my son was tested. No result. That’s 4 days my class hasn’t had a teacher, 4 more days my sons haven’t been in education. The testing system is not working.
@MattHancock
That moment when you’re reading: every child hanging on your every word, anticipation thick in air, silent apprehension....and then you close the book and say, “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow...” . That.
#teacherlife
So 5 weeks without sugar has taught me this: I no longer get headaches; I no longer get heartburn; I have tons of energy; I think more clearly; my clothes fit me perfectly- especially around the waist. 🙌🏻
Just found out that my half term is the week after my children’s. A whole week of freedom! And they are old enough to look after themselves in their half term. What a time to be alive 😂😂
So, I get completely triggered if I’m asked to go to the Head’s/deputy’s office for ‘a word.’ If I need to speak with someone about something, how best to approach? I never want anyone to feel worried/scared.
#leadership
#wellbeing
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher? Mine has to be when a nursery child cut off the glittery jewel from a trainee teacher’s thong that was sticking out abover her trousers. The child then wanted to stick it on the picture she was making!
I’ve been shortlisted! Interview Friday. Deputy headship at a primary special school around the corner from my house. Excited, nervous and now can think of nothing else 😬
@GavinWilliamson
Someone must have over-inflated your grades. You clearly don’t have the slightest idea about the impact of your actions. I hope every A level student despite their result votes you out at the next GE.
I hate my teacher body clock. I try to have a lie in every weekend. Every weekend my brain is like- 6am- ping start thinking about everything in the world.
If this virus has taught us anything, it’s that teachers are the least trusted members of society. The constant scrutiny and need to fill their time is beyond me.
I can’t begin to tell you the health benefits of cutting out sugar. In 6 months I’ve lost over 3 stone and nearly 10 inches around my waist. I’m never hungry and feel so full of energy. Fat is your friend! But sugar isn’t 😜
Fate: In January my landlord decided to sell the house I’d lived in for 5 years and now I’m in the most amazing house, then I handed my notice in without a job to go to and now I’ve got an opportunity at an amazing new school. Everything happens for a reason.
I’ve been through 7 Ofsted inspections and I only agreed with one outcome. Some schools I thought were better, others worse. Did it change anything? Not really. School improvement doesn’t happen because of Ofsted it happens in spite of them.
#OFSTED
I’m going to buy 4-5 books for every teacher; wrap them up like a gift and leave them on their desk for the first day in September. A mixture of picture books and novels aimed at KS2. What would you want in your pack if you were at my school?
#readingforpleasure
I’m being observed tomorrow. Why after 20 years of teaching do I still over think it? I never worry about what I’m teaching normally just turn up and do it. Why does having two other people in the room who aren’t normally there matter so much??
My son was recently taken off a footballing trip to Portugal. He’s the captain of the football team & always behaved impeccably when representing the school for sport. Unfortunately he struggles with his behaviour in the classroom due to ADHD behaviours. Where’s the risk?
So I’m moving house today and what phone call do I get from school? Ofsted. Worst timing ever. Was meant to be off tomorrow but have to go in for my English conversation. 😫😭 only in teaching would you not be able to move house due to work!
Mentoring an ECT these days is like joining the secret service. Honestly, I thought it would be straight forward. It took me nearly all morning to sort out and I’m still not entirely sure what’s going on, how much it’ll cost or what to do 😂😂
When an LEA advisor manages to break you and you question everything about you as a person, your teaching and whether you should actually even be in the profession. That is not a good day.
Acting Head in September whilst our Head has spinal surgery and every day the reality draws closer! Excited for the opportunity but equally absolutely scared to death 😂
So with the severe shortage of places in nurseries and barely any places for SEN children in Manchester. If I opened an SEN nursery, I’d basically have an open market. Imaging what difference could be made with a high quality SLD nursery.
#EYFS
#SLD
#SEND
Any of my followers teach abroad? I’m
Contemplating just biting the bullet and moving. I’m being made homeless, I can either buy a house here or follow my dreams! Please retweet if you know people teaching abroad 🙏
Finally got the answers I’d been searching for with my son. He’s been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. Since the day he started reception he’s struggled at school, sitting still, complying, seeing things in black and white. At least now he’ll get the EHCP I’ve been fighting for.
Survived Ofsted. So proud of my class. The inspector was overwhelmed at the buzz and excitement about writing. No one was under a table, drawing on the self, in crisis or doing what they shouldn’t be. Wine time!
Got an interview for lead English teacher at a specialist secondary school. Exciting as I’ve never worked in secondary or in anything other than a mainstream school 😬😬
Some students taught my class athletics from the local high school and they taught me a trick: when you give a child a number get them to put up those fingers and trap them in the other hand. She told them to keep their number safe. Genius.
I’m having an EHCP nightmare. I’ve offered to write my own son’s EHCP to quicken the process and I’m not allowed? I’ve more experience than most people writing them and he’s my child!!! I’m using reports from specialists. Broken SEND Britain.
#SEND
#whatreform
When I think of what I’ve done with my sons: learning to cook, growing seeds, walking, playing football. We’ll never get this time again. So let’s enjoy it, we’ve been made to slow down for a reason.
It makes me really sad when I see teachers talking about toxic schools and dreading going to work. I’ve experienced this twice out of 5 schools. So almost half. Is this a widespread issue where teachers are afraid of going to work?
@matthaig1
@moses_brian
Schools were left open, concerts went ahead, football matches invited fans from serious infected areas. But that was the plan wasn’t it? Boris knew that herd immunity would come at a cost. But all his mates will have private health care...
The best way to reduce teacher workload is to get rid of Ofsted. There has got to be a better way to support schools. Ofsted, in my experience, has never been a supportive process. It has been inaccurate, stressful and caused significant work for all involved.
I’m looking for a bed time novel for my 9 year old. We’ve just finished the Percy Jackson series, Stig of the dump, Varjak Paw, there’s a boy in a girls bathroom, the boy at the back of the class, the boy in the tower....any suggestions?
Question: if as part of the interview process you are asked to teach a lesson is it acceptable to wear a smart dress instead of a suit?
#teaching
#interview
@Niall_84
I’ve got until August to find a job, I’m intelligent, passionate and a hard worker with a degree. If I can’t get a job there’s something wrong with this country
@astraea_rae
@GavinWilliamson
Sorry am I missing something? I’m in work full time and yet I’m refusing to do my job? I’m teaching in school and online simultaneously and yet I’m not doing my job? Someone has been reading far too much Daily Mail.
Playgrounds to remain closed but to teach children outside where possible? What on the road? Some schools only have a playground as their outside space.
#CoronaVirusUpdate
Today I walked 2.6 miles around the school grounds with a very special young man. He really struggles in school and has been in every day since the pandemic started. He’s raised nearly £600 for the NHS. Overcoming huge personal barriers to make a difference.
#SEND
#Autism
So, I got through to the round of interviews/presentation (some were sent home at lunch time), had a two hour interview and now I await the phone call 😬😬😬
#teaching
#interview
Thank you to everyone for your support tonight. I have to say that when it’s at its best Twitter really plays a blinder. I was about zero before; but I’m ready for tomorrow which will include a celebration with my class for their improved learning behaviours 😊
This wedding tomorrow is going to be crazy. Half red and half blue. All stopped from watching or going to the match because of the wedding. It’s at Chester Zoo. What’s the worst that can happen?
#FACupFinal
I’m leading a staff meeting on developing vocabulary on Wednesday. I have my skeleton plan but please hit me up with your best vocabulary games/activities/ideas. Please retweet for a wider audience!
@chrisdysonHT
@farrowmr
@miss_mcinerney
I’m more concerned about the family who can’t afford to feed or put clothes on their children, who are living in damp squalid conditions with no heating. Middle class problems just don’t seem like problems.
@KonstantinKisin
@Miss_Snuffy
I’m not sure pointing out the girls and boys are not the same is the issue. Suggested girls don’t like hard maths is the issue. Stereotyping is unhealthy, especially in education and we need less of it.
@NatalieConlan
Relationships is key. Find out about your children and show them unconditional positive regard. Even when they test your patience or do things you don’t understand. If ever I’m in a situation I always say to myself: you’re the adult- they are a child show them the right way to be
@LozzaFox
Perhaps if your child’s private school has completely ignored your children, you should think about why you pay to send them there. All my parents have nothing but thanks and admiration for me as I go above and beyond for my children and their parents.
So many people still shouting at children! I wouldn’t shout at any of my colleagues, no matter what they had done. So why is it ok to shout at children?
#behaviourmanagement
Today I marked the NFER maths papers of one of my most vulnerable children. Last year he struggled to even access the classroom, this year he has achieved a progress measure that would indicate greater depth at the end of the year. That’s why I teach 😍
#teaching
I wouldn’t be dreading going back to work if we didn’t have the big O on the horizon. RI is like purgatory, I wouldn’t mind but our results have gone from 37% to 79% in writing and we were moderated last year so I know it’s accurate!