Teachers TV - A video for Teaching Assistant's to help control angry classroom behaviour!

To all Teaching Assistants out there working for Classroom and beyond, please watch this excellent video from Teachers TV which gives some extremely useful techniques for coping with a students angry behaviour, whether you work with a child one to one or in a whole class setting.

Are there some useful techniques on here? What strategies do you use in the classroom? Do our teachers who are here teaching in the UK have any ideas to help Teaching Assistants in class - after all its a team effort?!

Classroom Job Alert

Its Friday, which means it's Classroom's job posting day. As ever - for all teaching positions you must hold a recognised teaching qualification and for Classroom Assistant vacancies experience of working with children in some form is also a requirement.


Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we can only respond to those applicants who are successful.

PRIMARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• Year 1 Teacher

A large primary school situated in London borough of Lambeth is seeking an experienced teacher to take a Yr1 class. The post is to start asap and will continue right through to July 2010 for the right person. Ideally this school is looking for a KS1 specialist teacher that has held a long-term KS1 position in a UK based school. For this position you will need to have very good classroom management skills and excellent planning. As this is the first term of a new school year you will need to be able to forge a good relationship with this class quickly and hit the ground running and carry this Yr1class forward to prepare them for Yr2 come September 2010. If you have the experience and necessary skills and abilities to take on such a challenge, we would love to hear from you.

• Year 3 Teacher

A great school in the borough of Greenwich is looking for a Year 3 class teacher to start in January through to summer 2010. You should have a good understanding of the lower KS2 curriculum and you MUST have UK teaching experience. This school also places an emphasis on Phonics teaching and so you must be confident with phonics. This is a great school and a great opportunity.

Please contact the Primary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: primary@classroomteachers.co.uk

SECONDARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• ICT Teacher

One of our most popular grammar schools is looking for an ICT teacher to start with them in January. They are looking for someone that can ideally commit for two terms and be able to teach ICT up to A level. The school achieves outstanding results and is always popular with our teachers. Supply teachers are well supported and assisted. The school does expect a high standard of teaching to be maintained and your committment and dedication to the school will be rewarded.

UK teaching experience is beneficial however not essential. In order to apply for this job you will need to be a fully Qualified Secondary ICT teacher and hold a current enhanced CRB and updated teaching references. The school will be short listing in the next few days so please send your CV ASAP if you are interested.

• Maths KS 3 and KS 4 – January start

A lovely girls’ school in South West London requires a Maths trained teacher with UK curriculum experience to join the maths department in January. This post could be up until the end of the school year.

• ICT Teacher (KS3 & 4)

An opportunity for a long term ICT teacher to be part of a large Comprehensive School in South East London. Good curriculum knowledge essential. In return you will be part of a brand new school with excellent resources. This post will commence January for a minimum of one term and could go on longer.

Please contact the Secondary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: secondary@classroomteachers.co.uk

SEN TEACHING VACANCIES

• MLD Teacher

We currently have a vacancy in South London at a primary MLD school starting in January.

The school supports students with moderate learning difficulties at both primary and secondary levels. They are currently looking for a teacher for a year 3 class in the school. The position starts in January and is long term until the end of the academic year. The majority of students in the class will be on the autistic spectrum however other needs include dyspraxia, Down’s syndrome and other complex needs. Experience with students with special needs is essential for this post and knowledge of PECS, Makaton and other communication techniques is desirable. Teachers must also be familiar with IEPs and annual reviews.

• EBD Teacher

Classroom is looking for exceptional teachers who are up for a challenge! We currently have a position for a teacher in an EBD school in South London for a female teacher to work 1:1 with students with learning difficulties and EBD.

The ideal EBD teacher will:

Be able to cope with strong, wilful personalities.
Engage pupils to enable dialogue.
Be active in looking to build on pupils' strengths, skills and personal resources.
Have strong classroom management skills.

Please contact the SEN team on 020 7636 0600 or alternatively email us at sen@classroomteachers.co.uk

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT & SUPPORT VACANCIES

• Nursery Assistants - South and East London

Classroom Teachers currently have a high volume of positions to work as a Nursery Assistant within mainstream primary schools. You must have previous experience working with children from 3 years upwards and have knowledge of activities to do with this age group. The hours will be a normal school do from 8.30-3:45, however we also do have some early years centre who have an early and later shift. These positions are long-term and also day-to-day bookings.

Please only send your CV if you have the relevant experience and the following:
* You’re able to provide references that cover the last two years of your employment, one of which needs to be child related
* The right to work in the UK
* Recent CRB check
* Experience working with children in early years

• Nursery Nurse - South East London

Classroom Teachers have positions in South-East London to work in mainstream primary schools working as a qualified Nursery Nurse. You will be working in between the nursery and reception class helping children with their play, learning, educational and social development. If you have experience working with early years children but don’t have the qualification, please do still send through your CV.

Nursery Nurses need to hold a relevant child care qualifications such as:
* CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
* BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
* NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

Please contact the Support team on 020 7636 0600 or email: classroomassistant@classroomteachers.co.uk

Thats all for this week. Remember to keep us up to date with your current availability! We look forward to hearing from you.

Compulsory Sex Education: Good news?

It has recently been in the news that the government have announced a decision to make sex education compulsory for all pupils. To clarify for those of you teaching in the UK either through Classroom or other mediums, sex education will be taught in both Primary and Secondary schools but parents will have the option to opt their child out of these lessons until the age of 15 when all students MUST receive at least one full year of sex and relationship lessons. Any students who might refuse attendance for religious or moral reasons could possibly be punished by the school for non attendance. Until recently, parents have been able to pull their children out of classes which might cover contraception, STD's and homosexuality. This will no longer be possible. As one might imagine, Roman Catholic and Muslim groups are strongly opposing the legislation.

The government have backed up their decision by providing the following statistics: Teenage pregnancies are on the rise and in 2007 there were 41.9 conceptions per 1000 15 - 17 year olds which was up from 40.9 the previous year. Whilst currently all school children must be taught the biological facts of life - the new curriculum will cover marriage including civil partnerships and more relationship issues as well as the sex basics! The governments own research has shown that this new legislation is heavily opposed. Its certainly a sensitive issue.

Sarah Ebner in her superb Times ed blog is certainly on the side of the government in making these sex lessons (covering all aspects of sex AND relationships) mandatory and I am inclined to agree with her thinking. She is quite right in her suggestion that surely all children should "learn about their bodies, relationships, careers and sex education" and that schools "should have some leeway in how these subjects are taught". In fact Ebner goes as far as to suggest that parents will still be able to opt their children out of these lessons up to the age of 15. Her concern is that its the children of parents who opt out who probably need the information the most.

I certainly agree that not knowing about sex is more dangerous than being informed. Surely schools have a right to educate and inform and this should include looking at relationships (both heterosexual and homosexual), boy/girl differences, body image etc? Knowing just the biology of sex isn't always enough and won't necessarily get to the root of the growing teenage pregnancies and failing sexual health of the UK's teenagers. A lot of critics have suggested that it's a parents job to educate on these matters and that's true, but as Ebner points out, not ALL parents will have these conversations with their children and if they do then great, schools will simply be reinforcing what the parents have taught.

Surely the critics need to reassess? At the end of the day the government is not advocating the teaching of "how to have sex" or promoting sex in any way, shape or form. The lessons will form part of a clear curriculum covering not only sex and sexual health but relationships, drugs, bullying and more. Invaluable surely?

Its a contentious issue for sure. What do readers think? Should sex education be mandatory or (given certain religious and ethical issues) should the opt out clause remain in place?

Teachers TV - A video for those new to Primary school supply teaching: SECONDARY teachers take note!

I have uploaded this video from Teachers TV for all those supply teachers who are currently beginning their supply teaching career in Primary schools. This video may be covering old ground for a lot of Primary teachers but I know that there are plenty of you who are newly arrived and only just setting out on your supply teaching adventure who should find this very interesting. I am also very aware that with the current slow patch in Secondary - Classroom and surely other agencies too will be supplementing Secondary school supply work with days in Primary schools. If you want to be successful in a Primary school then you will have to adopt a different approach to the one you might take in a Secondary school. Flexibility is always the key to successful supply teaching in the UK and preparation and research will only reinforce your flexibility!

Why not watch this video where you will be given plenty of hints and tips to be an effective Primary supply teacher and while your at it why not check out Teachers TV and its wealth of resources to help you be the best. I have mentioned it before but it really is a great site for teachers from every arena!

What do you think of the video? Are the presenters tips useful? Anything you would add?

Classroom Job Alert

Its Friday, which means it's Classroom's job posting day. As ever - for all teaching positions you must hold a recognised teaching qualification and for Classroom Assistant vacancies experience of working with children in some form is also a requirement.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we can only respond to those applicants who are successful.

SEN TEACHING VACANCIES

• SLD Teacher

Classroom teaching agency has a maternity cover position in a lovely SLD school in North London. The position is starting in January and is for 2 terms.

The school supports students with severe learning difficulties. Some of the children exhibit challenging behaviour and many of them are non – verbal. The school are looking for an experienced teacher who has worked in SEN schools in the past and is familiar with the needs in the school, IEP’s etc. They should be able to think on their feet and cope well in a stressful environment.

This is a long term position to work in a year 1 and 2 class so experience with this age group is beneficial but not essential.

Please contact the SEN team on 020 7636 0600 or alternatively email us at sen@classroomteachers.co.uk

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT & SUPPORT VACANCIES

• Special Needs Support Assistant (Bromley area)

We currently have a position to work in a mainstream primary school working with students who have special education needs. You will be working one-to-one with students who may have autism, downs syndrome and emotional and behaviour difficulties. The position requires someone that does have previous experience working with special needs children. We currently have day-to-day and block bookings to fill in this in area.

Please only send your cv if you have the following:

• Recent CRB Check
• Minimum of 3 months experience of working with children
• 2 years of references - must be child related
• The right to work in the UK

• Higher Learning Teaching Assistant (South London)

A mainstream primary school is currently looking for a Higher Learning Teaching Assistant to work in Key Stage one classes. You will be working very closely with the class teacher and working with small groups of students helping to improve their numeracy and literacy skills. The placement requires you to have an extensive amount of experience working as a Classroom Assistant with key stage one or two or have worked as a Higher Learning Teaching Assistant previously. This position is long-term to begin straightaway through till the Spring term 2010.

Please only send your CV if you have the following:

• An up to date CRB
• At least 3 months experience of working with children
• 2 years of references - child related
• The right to work in the UK

Please contact the Support team on 020 7636 0600 or email: classroomassistant@classroomteachers.c.uk

SECONDARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• Science (Central London)

One of our Secondary mixed comprehensives in central London is looking for a Science teacher for a January long term. They are looking for someone that can ideally commit for two terms and be able to teach General Science and Biology to KS4. The school will be short listing in the next few days!

• Science (South East London)

All boys Secondary school in SE London is looking for a General Science teacher for January. You will be required to teach Science and also cover ‘general cover’ lessons where required. The school has a very good reputation and has sports status so they are inclined to offer extra coaching responsibilities to teachers that are interested.

• Music (Central London)

Large mixed comprehensive with excellent Music department seeks an enthusiastic, motivated Music teacher for January. There is potential for this job to go perm if all goes well. Woodwind and Strings experience would be beneficial!

Please contact the Secondary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: secondary@classroomteachers.co.uk

PRIMARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• Year 5 Class Teacher

A large primary school in South East London requires a Year 5 class teacher to start in Jan 2010. You should have experience of working in upper KS2, preferably in the UK. A sound knowledge of Phonics is also very important. This position is until the summer term, July 2010.

• Reception Class teacher

A small infant school in the borough of Croydon requires an experienced Foundation stage practitioner to take on a Reception class which starts in January. You should have a clear understanding of the UK foundation curriculum and have good behaviour management skills. UK is experience is a MUST.

Please contact the Primary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: primary@classroomteachers.co.uk

That's all for this week and in fact this blog will not return until Monday 2nd November as we are breaking for half term. We hope everyone has a relaxing and rested week!

Tormented by the Under Fives....

Can children as young as 3 years old really cause chaos in the classroom? Are there really 3 year old bullies using violence in schools and intimidating teachers and other pupils?

When I first read the article published in The Times by Frank Furedi about toddlers terrorising their teachers I was shocked and more than a little sceptical. How can a very young child threaten an adult? It seems that they can.....

Frank Furedi's article looks at government figures which show that more than 1000 pupils aged 4 or below were suspended from state schools and nurseries in England last year. The figures also reveal that children of the same age group have been expelled for "racist behaviour, sexual misconduct and theft". Going further the figures reveal that 390 children were sent home from school in 2007 for a racist offence and 240 suspended for sexual misconduct.

In his article, Furedi questions if young primary pupils are turning into "sexual predators or racist zealots". One might be tempted to agree until, like Furedi you stop and think about what this means.

Perhaps this is only an opinion but surely children as young as 3 cannot be held accountable for an innapropriate comment or action? Furedi believes that the issue is more about an obsession in society to control children by means other than exercising child authority. In other words - telling children off isn't enough today and neither is explaining to a young child why their remark or action was wrong. Instead, teachers today are relying on the bureacracy of warning letters to parents and school suspensions rather than dealing with the issue directly.

Furedi is correct in pointing out that authority in British schools is struggling. Gaining respect from even very young students is tough. Many teachers can I am sure give examples of occasions where they have felt uncomfortable or even threatened and perhaps the biggest issue facing teachers is the fact that they feel helpless to deal with the situations without fearing they will be accused of stepping over the line either by parents or by colleagues. Furedi points to an example where a teaching assistant was reprimanded at her school for raising her voice and pointing a finger at a child who had just bitten her! Instead of being able to deal with the bad behaviour there and then she was expected to write a report about it. She felt helpless and resented the fact she was not trusted to do her job.

Perhaps the bad behaviour noted in Furedi's research is because of an adults changing response to a situation rather than a epidemic of bad behaviour developing amongst very young children. Furedi points to an example where a 4 year old calls a classmate "gay". Is it right for a teacher to interpret this as homophobia? Is it right to treat young children to the same moral standards as those we impose on an adult society? If we do then perhaps it is easier to understand why 3 and 4 year olds are being expelled for racism and sexual misconduct.

So if the children aren't changing but the way in which we deal with them is - where do we go from here? I for one do not feel qualified to answer this one but it is certainly food for thought.

As professionals who are here teaching in the UK Your views on Frank Furedi's article would we welcomed.

How to enjoy Guy Fawkes night - At school and beyond!

Remember remember - the 5th November! Yes its that time of year already. Thursday will see firework and bonfire displays up and down the country as the UK celebrates the plot to kill King James the first in 1605. Click here to read the history of Guy Fawkes!

Lots of Primary schools up and down the country will be incorporating the excitement of Guy Fawkes in to the curriculum this Thursday. For those of you keen to do the same and perhaps new to teaching in the UK I have a fantastic link that will give you everything you need to know from literacy lesson ideas, Art and design classes and IT online activities. If you dont want to hand over the whole day to the event then maybe just pick one activity and if you are a daily supply teacher - you should still be able to incorporate something Guy Fawkes related in to your day!

Click here to plan your Guy Fawkes day.

Obviously Guy Fawkes night isn't just for the children! For those of you who might want to join in the celebrations, my colleagues at Classroom and I have located some of the best Firework displays in London -either this Thursday evening on Nov 5th or on Sat 7th.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5th:

Clapham common

Starts: 7.30pm

Tube: Clapham Common

Price: FREE

Matt says " I have been to the Clapham display and its great. The fireworks were great and there are so many people there on the common - its a great atmosphere and best of all, it's free"!

Southwark Park

Starts: 7pm

Tube: Canada Water

Price: Free

Jenna says "I went to Southwark Park last year and it was so much fun. Great fireworks and although cold - I loved it"!

Roundwood Park

Starts: 8pm

Tube: Willesden Junction

Price: Free

Jason Says "I will be taking my son to Roundwood Park on Thursday night. Apparently there are some great fireworks lined up"!

SATURDAY 7th November

Battersea Park

Starts: 8pm

Train: Battersea Park

Tube: Pimlico

Price: £6

Nicole says "This is one of the biggest and most spectacular displays in London. I really think the £6 price tag is worth it"!

Blackheath Common

Starts: 8pm

Train: Blackheath

Price: FREE

Matt says "This is possibly the biggest firework display that London puts on. Not only that its free and Blackheath common is such a lovely location".

Alexandra Palace

Starts: 7.30pm

Train: Alexandra Palace

Price: £4

Deon says "Alexandra Palace is an amazing venue for fireworks. I have been here before and its such a dazzling display. I thoroughly recommend"!

We hope this has wet your appetite for Thursday and that you will be incorporating the event in to your teaching day and possibly even your own free time! If anyone can recommend any other great fireworks displays or some great lesson plan ideas - do let us know in the usual way.