TS 8: Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
– Communicate effectively with parents with regard to pupils’ achievements and well-being.
I have ensured, during my time at my block placement school, that I establish and maintain good relationships with students and their parents. I have called home for students, to feedback both positive behaviour and issues that have arisen pertaining to poor conduct in my classroom. Having found working with and motivating 3 of the 4 Year 9 classes I teach, calling home has enabled me to encourage parents to reward/sanction their child’s behaviour at home, and I can do this in school.
The end of year assessments for Year 9 proved challenging this week; partly due to their lack of consideration for each other and also the subject, and partly due to their lack of focus in lessons throughout this academic year. One class in particular, found it so challenging to be quiet and complete their test for 40minutes. Despite the disruption at the beginning of this lesson, students were able to have the full 40minutes during the lesson. However, there was ongoing behaviour issues during the test, which I noticed distracted students who I know are keen to succeed. At the end of the 40minutes, I offered certain students additional time; those who had been affected by the behaviour issues during the test. They took the time and worked so hard to answer every question on the test paper. I was so proud of these 6 students as they can be chatty at times, but when it comes down to it, they want to do well. I told them as they handed me their test papers, that I would email their parents for them, that same day. I did, and received responses from some almost immediately.