So much to talk about just an hour to fit it all in welcome to #ASEChat Lets start with recruitment of teachers who want to teach science. Are the mixed routes in to teaching confusing?
Anyone know how you apply to be a science teacher these days? How do HEIs, SCITTs School Direct Teach First, Troops, all attract potential teachers? #ASEChat
I think it may have put me off. Applying to teach through UCAS made things straightforward for me. Eg I knew the university would help find accommodation. #asechat
are they all competing? Does it mean we get fewer successful applicants overall? with no group hitting the numbers needed to replace those leaving? #ASEChat
Anyone know how you apply to be a science teacher these days? How do HEIs, SCITTs School Direct Teach First, Troops, all attract potential teachers? #ASEChat
I think it may have put me off. Applying to teach through UCAS made things straightforward for me. Eg I knew the university would help find accommodation. #asechat
It confuses people. School Direct is supposed to be a brand to help clarity, but it can basically be anything from a SCITT to a PGCE, to being an unqualified teacher for a year! #ASEChat
So there is a long term problem, we can predict how many teachers we’ll need in the future. Is it specific enough to ID science shortfall? #ASEChat 1/2
only anecodotal from couple/three years ago when I used to do supply teaching in different schools in Northants mainly - nothing I recorded just conversations and observations #asechat
Y13 Photosynthesis and respiration hexagons. Great for identifying misconceptions with aspects of spaced retrieval and dual-coding via @theed_ucator#ukedchat#aussieEd#asechat
Just watched Bradford LA busing ITT students from Leeds Trinity around schools in Bradford to attract applicants #ASEChat any other strategies out there?
Enormously so. It's one of the reasons I did School Direct, my mentors were both really invested. I knew both placements in July, and met both mentors before the Summer. Wouldn't have done it unless I had solid Uni science involvement though. #ASEChat
In reply to
@hrogerson, @oboelizzy, @JustinDillonUoB
#ASEchat ITT applicants for primary teaching in Scotland don't need any sort of science qualification - they do now need a second language qualification though
Is there a shortage in NI, Wales or Scotland? or is it a mainly England thing? #ASEChat any tips to help recruitment to vacancies from qualified teachers?
Advertise for a Chem/Bio/Physics teacher. 'Teacher of Science' adverts are a huge turnoff.
Don't have ridiculous marking policies or an obsession with data. #ASEChat
Realise I am showing my age but I cant help reflecting on the huge support I received from the ILEA during and after my PGCE. We were part of a real network of science educators #asechat if only we could recreate some of that it would help retention as well
Yup. Experiences across people I trained with (both at my own and other routes/unis) varied hugely. Some left at end of course, but hadn't planned to, just had such a bad experience of teaching they didn't want to/felt they couldn't do it. #ASEChat
In reply to
@DWalkerdine, @hrogerson, @oboelizzy, @JustinDillonUoB
#ASEchat ITT applicants for primary teaching in Scotland don't need any sort of science qualification - they do now need a second language qualification though
A personal plea based on my experience at King’s and Bristol - please take PGCE students even if you have NQTs, etc. Our biggest problem is finding placements. #ASEChat
Yes, I wish I knew enough to write about how much we’d save by retaining teachers by cutting contact hours vs training new ones and paying for supply. #asechat
The shortages in Scotland are just starting, exacerbated by the CfE. That said there are fewer local options in chemistry and physics there, less competition, so their supply has been healthier #asechat
I'd advertise for "teacher of science with biology/chem/physics for A level". Always been a fan of science teachers teaching all three till GCSE - unless it causes stress... #asechat
The shortages in Scotland are just starting, exacerbated by the CfE. That said there are fewer local options in chemistry and physics there, less competition, so their supply has been healthier #asechat
Also if I remember, incentives available for rural schools, Highlands and Islands. I would come and help with those shortages but I only have QTS so not welcome :( #asechat
Though discovered recently science is the Dept with least slack in my school. 2 spare hours in whole department. Given recruitment difficulties, suspect many science depts similar. #ASEchat
I would be devastated if my step-daughter became a teacher. I work myself hard so she can do something better. It was a step-up in social class for me because I didn’t have a secure financial background.
Is this the attitude we want of teachers for the job?
#asechat
This is a no brainer, gives you extra capacity, and first dabs on a good student. Also great professional development for the in school mentor #ASEChat
A personal plea based on my experience at King’s and Bristol - please take PGCE students even if you have NQTs, etc. Our biggest problem is finding placements. #ASEChat
that is just awful greg - for you, your students, your family - nobody wins. I remember how exhausted I felt after teaching all day virtually every day and coming home to my own children - no wonder I became ill!! #asechat
Yes, I wish I knew enough to write about how much we’d save by retaining teachers by cutting contact hours vs training new ones and paying for supply. #asechat
I would be very happy if mine became a teacher (as long as she stayed up North so could afford housing etc) what does it say about outselves if it's a fall back career? #asechat I chose to teach, I had plenty of other options open to me
I'd be torn of my daughter wanted to be a science teacher - i'm wondering how many youngsters of the exam factory era become teachers and default to how they were taught - death by intervention, everyone a colour on a spreadsheet, etc. #asechat
A good ITT gives you capacity, a 'bad' one (which might not be their fault, previous placement/Uni might have caused issues or be hard work) takes so much time. #ASEChat
I think I am contributing in the loosest sense of the word at the moment. #asechat multitasking planning tomorrow, catching up on email putting kids to bed
My guess would be that as supply of teachers dries up they probably take a more relaxed approach now, esp for physics and maths. Not sure if there's a specific degree list though #asechat
A bloody lot - but what is important in society? getting political now I realise - but surely it is not beyond the wit of mankind to work out how to finance a proper education and health system?!!
Not where I am.
1 generic humanities:
4 geography
3 history
3 RE
Science is other way round
13 science
3 biology
2 physics
2 chemistry
I get that you might want to see what you get, but it doesn't inspire confidence in the role they don't know what they want! #ASEChat
In reply to
@A_Weatherall, @doc_kristy, @NeedhamL56
I'm really hoping there is going to be a new direction in teaching - I'm sure we are on the cusp of the possibility of near 'no marking'. If I had a choice of asking teachers to spend time marking, or spend time planning, it would hands-down be the latter. Always. #asechat
I a not sure if it is a solution.People skills are good but breadth of science may be less so depending on background. What are priorities for a good teacher? #asechat
Not much competition according to @Glazgow Do science leaders move on to (maths and English) HTs spot them doing a good job. Or can you stick with it and make science shine? #ASEChat
I didn't stop teaching because I didn't enjoy it or workload, I got a fantastic opportunity out of the blue. BUT when/if I go back it won't be into a permanent role unless it was a place that had sensible policies for work-life balance (marking, data, mocks). #ASEChat
I think many get hooked by the science, especially if they don't have a science background. Then work to make it as good as it can be. Others will see it as a stepping stone on to bigger things #PrimaryRocks
I think that's very true - science has that ability to hook you in, especially if you are non-sciencey to begin with - many become incredibly passionate about improving science T&L #asechat
I am sure we all know good teachers with excellent subject knowledge and equally good teachers with good person skills. Both needed in a school #asechat
And I think a lot of science leaders without science backgrounds end up doing a much better job as other staff look at them and can say 'well if they can...' #asechat
Improve conditions, lower contact time, improve opportunities for intellectual growth and networking with like minded people, improve access to sci ed research - Ill think of more in a mo! #asechat
No shortage in NI, v hard for trainees to get jobs (many train in Liverpool area). Again, fewer competing jobs, smaller economy, also retain selection at 11 in many places and standards perceived to be higher #asechat
From a Scottish perspective this is happening more and more but it's easier as most secondaries can work closely with their feeder primaries. More of a challenge in England #asechat
In reply to
@DWalkerdine, @ViciaScience, @NeedhamL56
'we' listen to them about what they want from their careers (not always management), provide opportunities for them to work together across sectors/areas, #asechat
I read somewhere that the offer of part time work in teaching especially secondary would be something to attract many, not only returners. Why is this so hard to do? #asechat
Science teaching or science? My experience at Glasgow was that many went into teaching as it was still science and allowed them to stay in Scotland #asechat
Teaching to become a profession which uses evidence based approaches, teachers in secondary/ primary collaborate rather than reinventing teaching whenever there is a curriculum change.
