09 Nov 2014, 6:39 pm
#772
(09 Nov 2014, 6:33 pm)Dan The entire English department in my school has had a huge shake-up due to the Head of English (who teaches GCSE and A-Level English) taking some time off school for an operation, so all of the English teachers in my school are feeling the pressure. Despite leaving a month ago, everyone is still discussing the huge impact on the school that the Head of English's departure has had. I was talking to a teacher the other day who said that it's quite difficult for them as teachers, as they had no idea what had been covered under the wing of the Head of English, and students are seemingly feeling abandoned by her and haven't got a clue where they stand which has reflected on the work which they're producing. I wholeheartedly agreed, as I'm enjoying English a lot less than I did in September, and it's getting to the point where I'm hoping for opportunities to miss the lessons.
I've discussed my problems with two other English teachers (both of whom are having to teach GCSE English despite having not taught it in years) and they've both been quite understanding about it. One of them even commented on the fact that even she, as an English teacher, doesn't like reading. I think the main issue is that the teacher we've now got for A-Level English has expectations of our reading abilities which are far too high; indeed, neither of us like reading, so we can't read anywhere near as much as she expects us to. I personally think this stems from the fact that she loves reading and has read "The Woman in White" several times for 'pleasure'.
The teacher who has gone on the sick was a lot more understanding and had explained to us before she left that she wasn't the type to set strict deadlines to read the whole thing; however, she did expect students to get through it before she planned for us to start on the coursework. Just wish my current English teacher was as understanding...
I had the Head of English at our school for one hour a week last year, and she was really nice.
Sometimes at break times when I do emerge from the clutches of the main building and wander into the link (see post above), she'll say hello and ask me how I'm enjoying English this year, etc.
