The Unlikely Law Student

Mean Girls From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (6 days old)

On Wednesday my year ten class seemed to metamorphose into a scene from the film Mean Girls. I had to step in to prevent an all-out war between the goths and the clones. Except more precisely it seeme… more

The Jinx From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (12 days old)

A few weeks ago in the Maths office we were discussing numerous teachers who were off due to illness or stress or whatever reason. Our head of Department told us all how thankful he was that we all tu… more

A teacher teaches From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (35 days old)

On Friday afternoon the year sevens were having a street party as part of a humanities project. As we were timetabled to have year sevens for Maths period five this meant some of us would have to cove… more

Fond but not in love From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (38 days old)

My ears seem to have been burning this week, and it's not as the result of a unfortunate incident with a Bunsen burner during a science cover lesson. The Assistant Head gave me an almighty fright t… more

Seven down, seven to go From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (43 days old)

My year eight class normally has fourteen pupils, however by the end of today's lesson we had considerably less than that. 1128: One of the girls informs me that her friend is off sick and won't be… more

Shag Bands Banned From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (43 days old)

Given the sudden popularity of shag bands it's inevitable that they are banned at school. Conveniently no new legislation needs to be passed as jewellery isn't allowed anyway. So no one has to reprint… more

I'll let you have that one From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (45 days old)

When pupils are rude towards you you have to take action, especially if they do it in such a way as to create a scene in the classroom. However there are occasions when pupils come out with such good … more

High Risk From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (45 days old)

Our school is in the process of appointing a Learning Coach, which unfortunately bears no resemblance to a Mobile Library or aFun Bus and is the type of coach that trains people. Part of this process … more

The Battle in the Classroom From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (49 days old)

Friday afternoons aren't the easiest time to teach, in fact I doubt they're the easiest time to achieve anything. I have friends who work on flexi-time and around about the time I'm starting my final … more

Quote of the week From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (49 days old)

Modern day teenagers are very aware of the need to keep hydrated and like to use this as justification to get what they want. They often ask to go for a drink during lessons, which isn't allowed. If t… more

Ups and Downs From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (56 days old)

It seems to have been a real mix of up and downs this week. I followed Monday afternoon's stress-fest - 'I don't want to be in your class because I really don't like you' - with my performance managem… more

A Storm is Brewing From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (61 days old)

Only two weeks have passed since the start of the school year but you already get the sense that not all is as it should be. You normally get a honeymoon period with a new class but the consensus is t… more

Rewarding From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (63 days old)

It's important to have a good system of rewards. There's no substitute for good old fashioned praise but actual prizes as it were go a long way. The conventional wisdom is that small and many is bette… more

The New Recruits From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (70 days old)

Every Friday after school I run a Warhammer Club. When I was little I collected the models and it's nice to give some fellow enthusiasts a chance to get together and have some battles. When I was youn… more

All alone together From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (71 days old)

I always put my classes in a seating plan. As much as anything it's about showing that you control what happens in your classroom. I'm not against reasonable requests for pupils to move places but it … more

Meet the Official 'It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher' Mascot From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (73 days old)

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Pi From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (73 days old)

Over the summer I was fortunate enough to obtain a kitten - who at this very moment is trying to walk all over my keyboard - from a colleague whose cat had recently had a litter. In true maths teacher… more

Hey Ho Let's Go! From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (74 days old)

The first week back is probably the best week on the year for behaviour, but the worst for lesson planning, frankly it all seems a bit of a chore and you haven't really got into your routine. These tw… more

The tale of the blue tack and the very red face From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (75 days old)

If you didn't know already and you haven't guessed from the lovely weather we've been having today, it's time to go back to school. Those long summer days spent staring out of the window at the rain a… more

Puzzling it out From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (118 days old)

On the last day of the term I did a little quiz with my form. One of the rounds was of famous faces that they had to put a name to. I included a picture of Jeremy Paxman and it had one of the boys thi… more

Usain Bolt From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (121 days old)

Sports Day rolled around once more and as with last year I took part in the staff ninety-six metre dash (our astro isn't quite long enough). I'd love to say I put in a creditable performance and gave … more

Sex Education: 19th century style From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (121 days old)

'Sir where do babies come from?' 'Well, when a mummy and daddy love each other very much they pray to God to send them a baby and if they're lucky the stork delivers them one nine months later.' … more

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (127 days old)

It's interesting the effect you can have on a classroom by simply glancing inside it. I was walking past a science room and as I looked in I caught the eye of one of the girls who had been on the Scot… more

My Idea of Hell From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (128 days old)

Each year we run an Activity Day featuring a variety of different trips for the pupils. One of which is Alton Towers and this is where I was sent this time around. It's great because it's something th… more

Blowing in the Wind From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (131 days old)

I don't know if you've noticed but at the moment Blowin' in the Wind is being used on a TV commercial. On our trip to Scotland we had a television in the kitchen and it came on. How many roads must… more

Did I have to come back? From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (131 days old)

They say it's nice to go away, but it's always nice to come back. I disagree. I think it's great to go away and bloody hard work coming back. Today was my first day in school after the trip to Scotlan… more

Getting Away From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (132 days old)

For the second year in a row I was offered the chance to go to Scotland on a trip with some year nines. For the second year in a row I had a great time. It's always nice to get away for a bit and it's… more

Oh my! From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (157 days old)

Most GCSEs are modular these day so quite often year tens will have to miss one lesson or another to complete an exam. This morning when I should have had my class the majority of them were sitting a … more

All Quiet on the Western Front From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (168 days old)

It's all a bit quiet at school at the moment, with not a lot of incidents to report. It's just a lot of report writing and exam preparation. All very dull. Hence my blogging efforts have been equivale… more

Watch Out From studentteacher83 in It Shouldn't Happen to a Teacher (180 days old)

Thursdays are an easy day for me. Due to a timetabling system that's presumably borrowed from a bus company I have three frees all at once. It allows me to make sure I'm ahead of the gaming with plann… more