Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[jthompson]

I'm not sure anyone is arguing that the data they're collecting shouldn't be collected. Only that it ought to be collected and handled properly.

[StevieM]

I think the key phrase here is "without carrying out an assessment of its impact on privacy".

[sonofsanta]

So I imagine the rest of you have already spotted the problem with this announcement, seeing as it's the same problem we here have had for a decade... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53478404

[foofighterjim]

So I imagine the rest of you have already spotted the problem with this announcement, seeing as it's the same problem we here have had for a decade... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53478404

This is a real slap in the face both personally and professionally. Given the increases are unfunded, that could mean that support staff in some schools could be let go because of this.

[sonofsanta]

This is a real slap in the face both personally and professionally. Given the increases are unfunded, that could mean that support staff in some schools could be let go because of this.

 

 

Yup. And I warrant there's been more cleaners on site every day than there have been teachers.

[FishCustard]

Somewhat glad I jumped ship to an independent (not that they are in any way shielded from financial pressures, but they are less tightly coupled to central Government policy)

[mikeprice]

A few years ago (when I was officially employed as a teacher in spite of mostly doing IT Tech stuff - but on a lower salary band) I suggested that any pay rise should consider TAs etc before teachers

 

This caused a sharp intake of breath from several teachers - and some glares - until their brains kicked in and most sort of nodded and agreed ***

 

in my opinion TAs are really badly treated and paid in a lot of school compared to the work they do - I have seen some that are treated as teachers and expected to do pretty much the same work as a teacher - including setting lessons, delivering lessons and marking the work - and are expected to be responsible and professional - then get paid a fraction of a teacher's salary

 

Obviously non classroom staff (like IT Techs are in the same boat - but some schools really seem to take the whatsit

 

 

 

 

*** note the phrasing - 'most' not 'all' - there were some teachers who knew themselves to be special

 

 

for those missing my lengthy and interesting anecdotes - on this subject they get me tooo annoyed so I'm not doing any!

[JordanT91]

This is a real slap in the face both personally and professionally. Given the increases are unfunded, that could mean that support staff in some schools could be let go because of this.

Our BM was worried about the last raise, nevermind this one. It's got to come out of the school's budget. We employ 80 teaching assistants plus the usual admin and facilities staff. Cuts will likely have to be made somewhere.

[Ditto]

Our BM was worried about the last raise, nevermind this one. It's got to come out of the school's budget. We employ 80 teaching assistants plus the usual admin and facilities staff. Cuts will likely have to be made somewhere.

It's going to be a tough time. On top of extra PPE, cleaning and other C-19 related costs, many schools will have seen additional income from clubs, hiring space out, Summer fairs and the like fall dramatically. That additional income is not going to return fully either over the next few months and probably more.

[mikeprice]

So if it has to come out of school budgets

 

all that hard work done by support staff will be rewarded by no pay rise and 1 or 2 getting sacked to balance the budget

 

Still - maybe we could arrange for lots of people to stand outside and give them a clap - that'd make up for it

[Sheridan]

As usual teachers getting a reward that many won't have deserved, support staff forgotten completely

 

Personally I worked through the lockdown, mainly onsite and I would say 1/3 of our teachers did a lot, 1/3 did some and 1/3 did nothing - just based on the logins/content created etc

[LeMarchand]

Mme LeMarchand needed cheering up (work is and she's going stir crazy being based at home) so we "ate out to help out" last night, sort of - it appears that not many of the local establishments are taking part. The one that does didn't really explain bookings etc on their website and their Facebook page was (as seems to be par for the course) absolutely useless for garnering useful information, so we had to go elsewhere. The car park was busy, but not so busy that the people who parked their "look at the car I can afford" machines on the road in front of the place couldn't have used it. The interior was pretty empty, though, so I'm not sure why they were seating different groups so close to each other. On the plus side, I'm liking this "use the app to order" stuff as I'm never very good at getting a server's attention.

 

Anyway. if I go dark in the next few days, you'll know why...

[witch]

 

(annoying red haired women can be a brave thing to do - as we know!!)

 

 

Yes....yes it can....

[blueday]

Sorry, need to rant a bit, I've just come back from my daily walk (I'm pleased to say I've managed a daily walk of usually an hour since this started, rain or shine), and it's clear that anyone under 25 doesn't follow the unwritten but accepted rules of pedestrianism . That is, if you have the road on your left, you should step into it (as long there is no oncoming traffic) if the pavement is narrow, or at the very least move over and walk on the kerb. Older folk do this naturally, and get an accepting wave from me. However, youngsters simply carry on walking in the middle of the pavement, whether singly or even when 2 or 3 abreast, sometimes forcing me into the middle of the road having to look over my shoulder

[Primus]

As usual teachers getting a reward that many won't have deserved, support staff forgotten completely

 

Personally I worked through the lockdown, mainly onsite and I would say 1/3 of our teachers did a lot, 1/3 did some and 1/3 did nothing - just based on the logins/content created etc

 

More teacher bashing eh? Classy.

 

Support staff ought to be included I agree but to suggest many teachers are getting a reward they don’t deserve is ridiculous. This pay rise was recommended by the independent body and the proposals are from before COVID-19.

 

Why can’t we just accept we all have value and support each other. The politics of greed and envy only divide us and make it easier for us to all lose out.

[LeMarchand]

However, youngsters simply carry on walking in the middle of the pavement, whether singly or even when 2 or 3 abreast, sometimes forcing me into the middle of the road having to look over my shoulder

 

Time to go full Richard Ashcroft.

 

[6Foot2]

More teacher bashing eh? Classy.

 

Support staff ought to be included I agree but to suggest many teachers are getting a reward they don’t deserve is ridiculous. This pay rise was recommended by the independent body and the proposals are from before COVID-19.

 

Why can’t we just accept we all have value and support each other. The politics of greed and envy only divide us and make it easier for us to all lose out.

 

As someone who is leaving his current role due, in part, to the way I have been treated by some teachers and senior staff this news (had it broken before I handed in my notice) would not have encouraged me to stay.

 

In all the years I have worked in schools I have seen promotion given to those who did not deserve it while those who quietly got on with the job have been sidelined and ignored. This is a broad, sweeping statement not true of every case but it is true that I have seen this happen more often than it should have done. I would venture that others who have had similar experiences are expressing similar disappointment/frustration.

[Primus]

As someone who is leaving his current role due, in part, to the way I have been treated by some teachers and senior staff this news (had it broken before I handed in my notice) would not have encouraged me to stay.

 

In all the years I have worked in schools I have seen promotion given to those who did not deserve it while those who quietly got on with the job have been sidelined and ignored. This is a broad, sweeping statement not true of every case but it is true that I have seen this happen more often than it should have done. I would venture that others who have had similar experiences are expressing similar disappointment/frustration.

 

You could also say this about virtually any industry or profession.

[6Foot2]

You could also say this about virtually any industry or profession.

 

Not wanting to take the thread drift further, so I'll make this my last reply on this topic: The fact that this might be happening in other industries does not lessen the impact on those working in this industry or make the point any less valid when it is made.

[Primus]

Not wanting to take the thread drift further, so I'll make this my last reply on this topic: The fact that this might be happening in other industries does not lessen the impact on those working in this industry or make the point any less valid when it is made.

 

I wasn’t saying it did. It shouldn’t happen anywhere. But I’m sick of the teacher bashing on here being allowed by the moderators. The suggestion that teachers don’t deserve an annual pay rise but support staff do is ridiculous. Everyone deserves a pay rise.

 

There are good and bad folk in every job and profession.

[DrBeaker]

Well it's been recognised as a valid point here for all support staff

 

https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-forgotten-school-support-staff-deserve-pay-rise-too

[Primus]

Well it's been recognised as a valid point here for all support staff

 

https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-forgotten-school-support-staff-deserve-pay-rise-too

 

Yes and notice how they can do it without saying others don’t deserve their pay rise!

[witch]

I think the point being made was that some people ARE getting a pay rise (whether they be teachers or what) and some are not.

 

You are right, it isnt connected to the COVID-19 situation at all but it is understandable that people who have been in and working every single day throughout the lockdown might feel a little bit raw about it when many teachers have only had to be in on a rota basis. Personally I feel teachers work hard and deserve a payrise. BUT so do other school staff and there seems to be no way for us to make our point

 

If you feel this is teacher bashing, I am sorry. edugeek is a space where people can offload their problems and I'm afraid that for educational IT, those problems are often teacher related. Not always, of course, but you must have read enough posts to feel and understand the frustration. We do try to allow people to let off steam but we do keep an eye on things

[Primus]

I think the point being made was that some people ARE getting a pay rise (whether they be teachers or what) and some are not.

 

You are right, it isnt connected to the COVID-19 situation at all but it is understandable that people who have been in and working every single day throughout the lockdown might feel a little bit raw about it when many teachers have only had to be in on a rota basis. Personally I feel teachers work hard and deserve a payrise. BUT so do other school staff and there seems to be no way for us to make our point

 

If you feel this is teacher bashing, I am sorry. edugeek is a space where people can offload their problems and I'm afraid that for educational IT, those problems are often teacher related. Not always, of course, but you must have read enough posts to feel and understand the frustration. We do try to allow people to let off steam but we do keep an eye on things

 

The post I quoted was teacher bashing. Fact.

 

You can definitely say you’re worth a pay rise and it’s not fair others got one and you didn’t without saying others shouldn’t have got one!

[Steve21]

The post I quoted was teacher bashing. Fact.

 

Your facts seem rather broken...

 

I'd argue that any job there are lots of people who don't deserve a pay rise, which is what he said. Many do deserve it, many don't. That same principle applies to teachers and IT staff for that matter (insert other role as necessary).

 

To assume that every person works the same amount as any other is rather bonkers

 

Steve