Tuesday 24 March 2015

Teaching, Education and goverment policies on schools..

The difference between a teacher and an assistance teacher..
not to brand childrean as naughty/bad or good
the school on paper looks like its outstanding, but really in the lessons its the very opposite, (too over crouded)
* enrollment- too many pupils, DACA is having to turn children away
* there getting all the best grades (because the teachers are giving all the year groups set tasks that are all exactly the same)- there not being individuals (artists)
* the government and the idea we need to vote..
some parties wanting to stop art as a lesson alltogether, big gaps for the pupils that students arent doing art for years..
(this affecting job roles? and the students themselves, there loosing vital skills)

Finland inparticular (and some Skandanavian countries) have changed there cirriculem so teaching is very differnet over there now.
is this a social aspect?
the idea of pupils spending more time with there teachers, than what they do with there own families?
school times have longer days?
do teachers need more respect?
do they need to be paid more?


BBC Politics.com

'Not surprising few head teachers are backing any political party. Education is hugely important but all too often is used as a political tool.
I remember toying with the idea of going into teaching but upon my viewpoint nearly 20 years ago was that teaching had become more of a managerial post following a set national rule thus stifling individuality.
Upon speaking with teachers as I do regularly the red tape has got progressively worse in those 20 years.

'http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/apr/24/headteachers-parties-education-policies-school-labour-tories-lib-dems#comments
 
'I'm coming to the end of my second year as a (part time) teacher. I love my job, and really enjoy interacting with my students and passing on the knowledge that I've gained over my working life. What I don't like is the constant politically-inspired interference that gets in the way of getting the job done. This year, for example, we were told that we had to embed English and Maths into everything we teach, to keep OFSTED happy. For myself the Maths wasn't a problem, as there's plenty of opportunities to use that subject naturally in what I teach, but it's been a massive struggle to shoehorn English in there.


I've been told recently that, next academic year, we'll be expected to 'promote British values' in our lessons . . .'
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/apr/24/headteachers-parties-education-policies-school-labour-tories-lib-dems#comments

These two quotes are of some people commenting on the governments influence on education. It is clear that some people are not very happy with what has been going on in recent years and that it is and will be an on going battle for many years. Whether what they are doing is right or wrong it is of deep influence of peoples decision to which political party they will support, more schools in England are to be taken out of local council control and given new leadership as academies, under powers to be outlined in the Queen's Speech.


The Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, says schools classed as "coasting" will face quicker direct intervention by the government.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Ms Morgan said where schools do not have a plan to help students progress, the government would intervene.


When voting for a new Prime Minister in this upcoming election, it is very important to not only consider what effect this will have on me today, and within the next year or two but also to consider what new government legislations may be in place when I leave university, and perhaps decide to become a teacher.

After researching the Conservatives manifesto from 2010, and seeing the changes that Michael Gove has implemented in this reign of power, this governments education sector has acted extremely fast, and has attempted to achieve a large amount in 5 years. It is common for an education sector to attempt to change a factor in the current system, however, Gove 'has upended the English examination system and curriculum as well as radically altering how England's schools are administered.' (
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/15/michael-gove-controversial-influential-education-secretary)
Attempting to achieve so much in so little time has left Michael Gove a rather unpopular man with head teachers, teachers, and student unions. Although the work he was trying to achieve may have made sense on paper, the effect that it had on the schools themselves was incredible considering the amount he was attempted to change in such little time.
Experiencing the high school at a time that may have been affected by the changes by Gove is quite a shame, with the curriculum altered and made more challenging. It did feel as though the school was quite simply trying to attain the grades, meanwhile hindering the students ability to explore their creativity. However, as we've always been told throughout this unit, expect the unexpected. Perhaps it was a good thing for us to see this school whilst it is still building itself against the new strict regulations as this may be something I have to face in the future.

When reading through the main parties manifesto's for this years election, there are a range of powerful claims made by the politians on reforming the educative system.

Conservatives:

-Protect school funding per pupil
-Create at least a further 500 free schools in England by 2020
-Zero tolerance for failure – immediate support to turn around failing or coasting schools
-30 hours free childcare for working parents of 3&4-year-olds


Labour:
-Protect education budget for 0-19 year olds so it rises in line with inflation
-Cut university tuition fees to £6,000 a year
-Ensure all primary schools guarantee access to childcare from 8am to 6pm
-Cap class sizes at 30 for 5, 6 and 7 year-olds
Lim Dems:
-Guarantee qualified teachers, a core curriculum and sex education in all state schools
-Ringfence the education budget for 2-19 year olds
-A strategy to end child illiteracy by 2025
-15hrs a week free childcare from the end of paid parental leave
Every year, new claims are made by politicians to promise certain requirements, however often they are not met or ignored after the party comes into power, which is something that should always be considered, and be wary of when voting. It has already been suggested that although the parties are promising the education budget shall not be sacrificed, it will need to be by whoever is in government over the next 5 years ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32062578 .) This will have a very real affect on schools and the pupils learning- and I will feel this effect if I decided to go into teaching. Having cuts in the budget will affect my salary, pension, and the working conditions in schools. These issues have been heavily disputed over the past few years, causing different unions to hold strikes within schools to fight against these cuts. This is the reality that I may have to face if I decide to go into this profession.

Working in the public sector can be a massive plus as it will always guarentee jobs throughout the world, and is a job in which you are able to work your way up into. However it is also a career that is constantly under the scrutiny of not only the parents of the children you teach, but the govenment themselves, ensuring the job is being completed to the highest ability. It is very important to be aware of this when considering the job.

No comments:

Post a Comment