As a close family member of a teacher I feel the need to comment. I
have become so passionately against this mess through seeing their
upset for several months.
I feel such anger and sadness when I hear how teachers have become the target of some parents rage.
I say this after spending many an evening comforting them when they have shed tears over the impending disaster. Never once have they cried over their position, but the absolute destruction of the education system and a great school so dear to them - a school which is going from strength to strength, pupils with whom fantastic bonds have been made.
It is this that has led to many tears indeed.
They feel frustrated, defenceless and powerless - A signal has yet to come from the unions regarding strike action, the threats of discipline from the county council if teachers dare to speak their mind, comment boards such as this being monitored for such reasons, paranoia within schools regarding 'Whistle blowing', and yes, at the end of the day mortgages still have to be paid, there is worry of losing pensions they have paid in to for years, job losses (realistically, how many teaching posts will be available in the local area asides from the academy).
It is the Governors and the County Council that can put a stop to this, and as you say, there are many intelligent individuals within these groups who have chosen to say nothing. All we currently have is Craig Foster telling us how great it will be.
I can state with all honesty he certainly does not speak on behalf of all Governors. But, I find it so hard to comprehend why those Governors that realise what a disaster this will be do not publically come forward and say so. What do they have to lose?
As regards to the protest today, I am afraid I don't hold much hope that many teachers will take part, as much as they are so desperate to. I can already see the comments pouring in as to how 'lily livered' they are. I do not think that the general public could really know the full extent as to what is currently going on within schools. If teachers could make a stand, do you not think they would?
They know education will suffer for many years, and they know their rights will diminish. They also know that ultimately, as far as the County Council are concerned, the blame will fall at the feet of the teacher if the academy fails. IF the academy goes ahead (and I very much hope it does not) it will be up to the teacher, despite all struggles, to make a difference from within the classroom. This will not be possible if they lose their jobs for 'rocking the boat.
Nobody can know what many teachers have already tried to do 'behind the scenes' to try to stop this happening. If you did I doubt those teachers would still be in a job. So please, before you criticize, walk a mile in their shoes and you may think differently.
I feel such anger and sadness when I hear how teachers have become the target of some parents rage.
I say this after spending many an evening comforting them when they have shed tears over the impending disaster. Never once have they cried over their position, but the absolute destruction of the education system and a great school so dear to them - a school which is going from strength to strength, pupils with whom fantastic bonds have been made.
It is this that has led to many tears indeed.
They feel frustrated, defenceless and powerless - A signal has yet to come from the unions regarding strike action, the threats of discipline from the county council if teachers dare to speak their mind, comment boards such as this being monitored for such reasons, paranoia within schools regarding 'Whistle blowing', and yes, at the end of the day mortgages still have to be paid, there is worry of losing pensions they have paid in to for years, job losses (realistically, how many teaching posts will be available in the local area asides from the academy).
It is the Governors and the County Council that can put a stop to this, and as you say, there are many intelligent individuals within these groups who have chosen to say nothing. All we currently have is Craig Foster telling us how great it will be.
I can state with all honesty he certainly does not speak on behalf of all Governors. But, I find it so hard to comprehend why those Governors that realise what a disaster this will be do not publically come forward and say so. What do they have to lose?
As regards to the protest today, I am afraid I don't hold much hope that many teachers will take part, as much as they are so desperate to. I can already see the comments pouring in as to how 'lily livered' they are. I do not think that the general public could really know the full extent as to what is currently going on within schools. If teachers could make a stand, do you not think they would?
They know education will suffer for many years, and they know their rights will diminish. They also know that ultimately, as far as the County Council are concerned, the blame will fall at the feet of the teacher if the academy fails. IF the academy goes ahead (and I very much hope it does not) it will be up to the teacher, despite all struggles, to make a difference from within the classroom. This will not be possible if they lose their jobs for 'rocking the boat.
Nobody can know what many teachers have already tried to do 'behind the scenes' to try to stop this happening. If you did I doubt those teachers would still be in a job. So please, before you criticize, walk a mile in their shoes and you may think differently.
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