Another shameless publicity post

I know most of you know this already, but my own blog can be found here -

http://annsquires.blogspot.com/

Unfortnately this is where the slightly more negative side of my brain lives and I spend most of the time moaning and groaning about how shit life is (even though it really isn't.... I think, although sometimes I really don't know... woods and trees and all that...) unless that is I have been buoyed up by 'exciting' news about Eurovision.

Please feel free to read and comments are treasured and appreciated (as long as they are not abusive!!!)

I intend to write a post later on today but please feel free to explore in the mean time.

Under scruitny

I need absolutely every ounce of the Pervy Councils support (and possibly the next week too)

As you know I am working in one school 2 days a week doing 1:1 tuition, plus I am working in another school doing general supply cover plus I'll be starting 1:1 there next week. I am teaching in this second school for the next 1 1/2 days, however the school is also being inspected by OFTED for the next 2 days. PLUS my other school is awaiting an OFSTED any week now.

I must also tell you that the reason these OFSTEDs are so eagerly anticipated is because both schools I am working at are in Special Measures and any improvement shown by any memeber of staff - no matter how new - is important. I have been in teaching since 2000 and evaded OFSTED for almost 11 years of teaching and now I could get 2 inspections is the space of amonth, even a fortnight.

I feel sick and very scared.
I apologise for this moan but I need all the support I can get right now...


..ADDENDUM...

OFSTED inspections are roughly done every 2-3 years depending on the standard of the school. They can last anywhere from 1/2 a day to a couple of days depening on the size of school and foci of the inspection. In the olden days, a school got 4-6 weeks notice, now they can phone up unannounced and say 'we will be there in 2 days time'.
In my situation, as the schools are both in Special Measures, they get mini kind of inspections quite often, just to make sure they are sticking to the improvement plans (blah blah blah) but get a 'proper' inspection every year. The school in Bath which I am working at has been in Special Measures for quite a while now and they are hoping that this inspection may see them removed from SM.

So what happens in an inspection... well I kinda don't know as I have never been party to one. From what I know they spend the majority of their time swotting over the paperwork and talking to the management part of the school, checking that they have been following the improvement plan. They will also have time to watch lessons, do an exercise book or planning scrutiny but this will probably be 1 lesson per teacher (again depending on the size of the school and the foci of the visit)

I guess I may have a lot to talk about after this week is over:o/