Second School Placement

Now I have been back at my first school for a couple of weeks, I feel it is easier to compare the differences between the two schools.

The first few days at my second school was strange and not a true reflection of their normal life as they had an Ofsted inspection. I had already experienced an inspection at my main school and the main difference I felt was that people were trying to hide problems or cover cracks rather than use it as an opportunity to show how good they were. This wasn't the case for all staff but it was evident in some staff's attitudes.

The other main difference was that I felt the English department at Newlands was ready from September should Ofsted come at any time and made small changes to the department handbook etc. However at Dedworth, the English department was very much in transition. With a new acting head of department in place for only a short period on the run up to the inspecion, he had not had the opportunity to implement some of his good strategies.

The school received a 'good' grade from the inspection which is the best result the school has ever had.


One of the other big differences that I noticed was staff's relationship with pupils. I felt that because of the size of the school combined with the age of the pupils, there was a much greater 'family' feeling. The staff were more relaxed with some pupils and in some cases more tactile. I think a lot of this came down the pupils not having any of the barriers that teenagers put up against staff because they don't want to come across as not cool etc.

I certainly enjoyed teaching boys properly for the first time. I cannot say for sure if it was their realxed nature becasue of the lack of teenage hormones to paly havoc, or the gender but I found they were more responsive to tasks and questions. More willing to have a go, regardless if they succeeded or not. I felt this had a knock on effect on the girls, who were in turn more responsive. It was easier to instil an attitude in the classroom in which pupils were not afraid to being wrong.
This is something I will work on from the very outset with classes I have on my own in the future.