Feeling Blue!

[Guest]

I'm feeling really miserable. Last week we had a two day mini inspection by county under the auspices of the new Ofsted criteria. We didn't come off well. In February last year we had a full Ofsted and the lead inspector was an FS specialist and did a special report within the report on FS provision in which we were deemed good or very good in all areas. I've just been told I'm now satisfactory in terms of provision, that I'm not challenging the brighter children enough in writing and maths and that the art session I taught was unsatisfactory. I feel so demoralised and really don't know what to do. I only qualified a couple of years ago on the GTP, having taught English as a foreign language in France for 6 years. When I started teaching here the FS mainly consisted of work or 'activity time' (free quite unstructured play) in the 'work' time children had a carpet session input followed by a worksheet which everyone completed at the same time. When the previous FS coordinator retired I was asked to take on the job and to work with a county advisor to modernise our approach and bring it in line with the FS guidance. It was tremendously hard work and for me very scary as I really had no idea how it would work and the lack of structure worried me a lot. However now I can see that it works and feel that children are making good progress. The ones I worry about most are those at the bottom end rather than the top at present. At the summer open evening parents were full of praise for the work we are doing and are delighted with the progress their children have made and for our enthusiasm. Now I'm filled with self-doubt, worried about potentially unsupportive, highly critical monitoring next term and even feel perhaps I should give up all together. I suppose I should pull myself together and stop being self pitying. Help!

 

Angela

[hali]

AOB

 

Dont give up, i felt like you when i first managed my setting, started in the Sept had an Ofsted in the Oct, not a good one by any means, had to write pages and pages on the action plans, six years down the line and a lot of hard work i do admit we are through the other end, brilliant ofsted, Accrerditaion and Investors in People. Im not saying its easy but the satisfaction i get now is!!

You may not have support in your setting but you will certainly get enough gfrom here.

Please dont give up, we are all with you.

[Guest]

Oh Angela, your poor thing. First of all, DON'T give up. It sounds as if things are definitely moving in the right direction in terms of your provision. There is no such thing as a perfect teacher or a perfect setting. All we can do is our very best and you are obviously taking things seriously.

The fact that the parents are happy with the children's progress is a very good sign. I know exactly what you mean about being more concerned about your lower attaining children, but it is important to remember the high flyers as well. I'm sure you have already planned how you will address this.

Be positive and hang on to the fact that your provision rating is SATISFACTORY.

[mundia]

Hi Angela, it does knock confidence and sefl esteem when things dont go as planned, and I hope now that you hav e hd time to take it all in that you dont feel so bad.

 

Do you keep action plans or a record of what you have acheived whilst you have been there. It sounds like you have done a lot, and its a good idea to have a record of that. Are you getting support from anyone else in teh school eg a FSCo or EY adviser?

 

Also try to get feedback as to exactly waht was deeemd unsatisfactory about your art lesson or your general provision. You are entitled to this and your Head may have further inforsmation from his/her feedback. Stand back for a minute and think if their judgemenet was fair about the more able children, is it an area that you need to develop? If it is, then acknowledeg this and work out how you will achieve this. If it isnt, then can you justify how you meet the needs of the more able pupils? If you get the chance to input your opinion on your schools SEF in the foundation stage area, then do so.

 

We are expecting the new style OFSTED in Setpember because our SATS are very poor this year, but my undersatnding of the new process is that it is about where you think you are going and what you are doing about any areas you know you need to develop. The SEF will be crucial in this. I am sure there is opportunity to mention your parents and how pleased they are.

 

Rememeber you have only been teaching fro a couples of years, you cant be expected to know it all yet. None of us do. What matters is that you know you are doing the best you can, and you know what still needs to be done, and what areas you need to develop personally and proffessionally.

 

I hope you can begin to look at the world a little better this week. Do let us know how its going.

[Guest]

Thanks to all of you. I needed to read this before setting off for school. Not sure how I'm feeling yet, but less alone now. Will write again soon.

 

Angela

[Beau]

Angela,

 

Just a short response as I am not a teacher and don't feel I can offer you practical advice. Just really wanted to offer support. Happy, motivated children are the key to success and it sounds as if you have worked really hard to acheive that. Please don't give up, but rather take the criticism as something constructive that will help you to continue to improve. Some of it may be unfounded (I think we have all come across inspectors who seem to have their own agenda ) but in order to defend yourself you will need to highlight your strengths, which again is a positive thing.

 

Big hugs.