Obviously I don't look down on them, but if you would park the assumptions for just a moment, the bit where you said schools shouldn't focus on grades as they don't matter as much. I believe you're wrong. For most of my students they are genuinely the passport to a better life.

That's very kind of you. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Maybe next time explain to all of us full time teachers working hard to improve the life chances of young people in challenging circumstances how them leaving school with no qualifications is going to move them forward in life.

Right! And most of the time it's performing to their peers and comes to nothing but I always challenge, every time. I don't want them to end up doing it when there are going to be actual consequences beyond a detention.

I explain to the trainees that it's about their ability to relate their extensive subject knowledge to the school curriculum and how they actually explain it. I use 'curriculum knowledge' and 'chunking' as catch all terms for this but they feel inadequate and I agree with you about needing a name.

Kids doing as you have asked but rolling their eyes/sighing as they do it.

Wherever you keep your timetable/lesson plans, write down and commit to what you should work on during a non-contact. When it starts, make your hot drink, grab a snack and find somewhere to work on your stuff. Headphones, whether you are listening to anything or not, deters unnecessary talk.

08:20 briefings, 08:35 registration, 09:25 lesson 1 starts.

It will definitely generate some useful data for their communications. "Is knife crime an issue?" "The data is unclear"

This blog makes a lot of sense. We hold about 5-10 minutes RJ conversations with kids at some point during a 1 hr detention to ensure they understand the impact they had and how to avoid future issues in lessons.

I have almost the same as situation. I've said that they don't have a seating plan for that room, so get there early to ensure a place to sit!

Essentially trying to reset the social contract that we seemed to have regarding school to how it was before lockdown.

Invest in a public service announcement campaign to explain to parents what we need from them re: attendance, equipment, toilet training, use of cutlery, support with homework / behaviour etc.

Unusually, I haven't heard this week's episode yet, but is the answer "just quit"?

I also think that even as an experienced teacher, by the time I've given it enough of a prompt to give a half decent response I've already planned the lesson myself!

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