6th Form Education - Teachers keep not turning up - Can they do this?

[Deleted User]

My son has started the first year of 6th Form (Year 12). Obviously its post 16 education. He is in what is supposed to be a good school.

However, so far this week, he has had four lots of triple period classes.., for two of the triple periods the teachers have not turned up (i.e. 50% of the two days lessons). This is the worse yet but in the first month of school.., teachers have been absent for roughly 30% of classes. Today, the teacher did not even leave any work for the students to be going on with.

I am starting to keep records of teacher absences because I think its an unacceptably high ratio of absence.

I know with post 16 education a lot of the legislation doesn't apply anymore, that students are supposed to be a bit more self sufficient than with GCSE's but I am wondering if there's anything I can do and get listened to if I complain about this too high teacher absence ratio? I don't know how the heck the sixth formers are supposed to cover their syllabus if teacher absence continues as it has been so far.

Tropez

What are the reasons for the teacher absences?

I have heard of some colleges having a policy of asking teachers infected by contagious cold and flu-like viruses to stay away from work in order to minimise the potential infection of large numbers of students.

tessie_bear

when i was teaching and there were a lot of teachers off 6th form lessons were the first to be cancelled so the teachers could cover absent staff...has your child been something to get on with such as private study ? if he hasnt that is poor and i would phone up the school and have a moan

hth

pollypenny

Yes, make a note and follow it up if it seems to be a regular occurence.

I did once fail to turn up to the first 6th form lesson of the lower 6th, as I'd pasted the 'trial timetable' into my diary.

6th form lessons are usually priority in most schools.

daisiegg

pollypenny wrote: »

6th form lessons are usually priority in most schools.

It's the opposite in the schools I've worked in....sixth form lessons a the 'first to go' as it were if there was a lot of teacher absence (my school doesn't cover Yr 13 lessons and only covers Y12 if they are able - obviously this only applies to 'one off' absences, if a teacher were off longer term their lessons would be covered by a qualified supply teacher). This is simply practical, because sixth formers can be left to get on with work without supervision but younger students can't.

However, OP I think you're right to keep a record, and if your son is not being left work to do in the teachers' absences (are you sure this is the case?) then you should definitely be raising questions!

xoxo_2

Our sixth form teachers used to get pulled off lessons to cover absence of other teachers in their department. We were left work to get on with but trusted to do it alone.

newcook

Presumably they still have exams for 6th formers?! How are they meant to learn if the teacher is not there to teach?! I appreciate that they are old enough to be trusted to get on with it themselves but what if they have questions? Or what if they are focusing on the wrong section?

One or 2 lessons can be excused but I know I wouldn’t be happy if I was at school (and by choice!) and the teacher wasn’t there – 6th formers are there by choice to get the grades needed for university or for a certain job they want. If they aren’t guided properly by the teacher it could mean failing the exams and having to re-sit them or re-doing the year.

mrcow

It would have to be something drastic for me to leave work for one of my 6th form lessons.

If I do have to set cover however, a cover supervisor wouldn't be assigned (like with lower classes) as 6th formers are expected to get on with set work under their own steam.

Fire_Fox

Don't complain express your concerns, ask for an explanation/ better alternative arrangements when a class is cancelled.

thegirlintheattic

No teachers should be pulled out of 6th form lessons to cover other classes unless it is an emergency. This is covered under the 'Rarely Cover' rules.

In our school, and most around here, sixth form lessons are not covered. If a sixth form teacher is off then usually either no work is set either or the students are told to get on with their weekly homework/project work. Most sensible sixth formers will use the time to do something useful. Similarly if too few students are present (e.g. only 1 in a class of 5) the class is cancelled. This is similar to how classes are collapsed lower down the school if lots are off/out somewhere.

Absence maybe unavoidable - this week in my school we've had two different field trips and a foreign exchange. This has resulted in sixth form lessons being canceled.

cottonhead

I had the same issue when I went to do my A levels. One teacher was off on such a regular basis that I would say 70% of lessons were cancelled - they eventually got another teacher to cover but she didnt have a clue what we had covered and we got so far behind. Then another teacher was always late to lessons - maybe 30 minutes or even 45 most days ! On top of that he made rude comments about one student behind her back and was always talking in a inappropriate way. Once he came in eating a burger and continued eating whilst writing on the board ! In the end it got so bad that I left. I knew I woulndt pass so chose to cut my losses and waste 1 year rather than 2 !
If its various teachers and happening over an extended time you need to flag it up. Your child cant be expected to reach the level he needs without a teacher.