Today was my first day because yesterday was a holiday in my school. It was quite a long drive and I planned to get there with loads of time, but got there 20 mins before - the drive was longer than expected. There are two other students at the school, both from a different college and different subjects. We all met with the school regent, who seems lovely and very approachable. I didn't get a timetable and there are lots of questions still about my time, but its getting there and by Thursday I think I'll have a better idea. I sat in 3 classes (one was a double period, 2 hours long!); had a meeting with my mentor; sat in a departmental meeting over lunch; and joined the other students and Probationers for a session on 'Restorative Practice'. A good day, but I am very tired.
What caught my attention was how much the teaching and talk seemed to be focused on exam results (both on class and the meeting) - its a high achieving school re exam results, quite like a private school in many ways. There was mention of the pressure coming from parents to get good results. And I was a little taken aback at how casually the teachers told me information about the pupils' backgrounds, exam scores etc while they were in the room with the pupils (effectively labelling some of the kids). Also I found the unashamed description by the teachers of some children as 'neds' and 'numpties' more than a bit uncomfortable. There was open dismissal of active learning, groupwork and cross curricular literacy ideas - so a major difference already with my college's approach to learning. Not altogether positive, but I don't want that to put me off.
Hope tomorrow is a bit more inspiring....
No comments:
Post a Comment