Undercover Teacher 3/6

Summary

The transcript describes challenges faced by schools in managing difficult student behavior, especially in schools like John Smeaton High, where behavioral and learning difficulties are common. Extra funding and support units exist but academic performance remains low. Schools struggle to balance discipline with teaching, as demonstrated by undercover teacher Alex Dolan, who observed daily disruptions like fighting, tardiness, and disrespect in classrooms. The competition among schools to attract high-achieving students leaves schools with more vulnerable students under-resourced, creating a cycle of behavioral and academic struggles.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🏫 Alexei's colleagues reassured her that she wasn’t the only one dealing with bad behavior.
• 🏫 Nearby schools were closed by inspectors for underperformance, leading to an influx of challenging students into Johnson School.
• 📊 One in three students at John Smeaton High School has learning or behavioral issues, double the national average.
• 💰 The school receives extra funding to support these pupils, including a Behavioral and Learning Support unit called 'Best.'
• 🎓 Only 16% of pupils at the school achieved five A-C grades in GCSE exams, compared to 81% at a nearby school.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Behavioral issues at the school can disrupt the learning environment and affect overall academic performance.
• 🏫 Local parents send their children to more academic schools, leaving Johnson with a more challenging intake.
• 🏢 Government policy encouraging school choice has created unfair competition, leaving some schools struggling.
• 🚨 John Smeaton High School claims to have strong inclusion and behavioral policies, with dedicated staff and improvements in student achievement.
• 📉 Alexei observed that many schools, including Highbury Grove School, have serious disciplinary problems, making it hard to maintain order and teach effectively.

Q & A

What is the main issue facing Johnson school as described in the script?

Johnson school is facing an influx of challenging children due to neighboring schools being closed down by inspectors for underperformance. This has resulted in behavioral and learning difficulties, with one in three pupils having a problem in these areas.

What is the significance of the 'BEST' unit mentioned in the script?

The 'BEST' unit is a behavioral and learning support unit within Johnson school. It provides extra support for students with behavioral or learning challenges, helping the school manage its high percentage of struggling pupils.

How does the behavioral issue at Johnson school compare to the national average?

At Johnson school, one in three pupils has a learning or behavioral problem, which is more than twice the national average.

How does the school’s performance in GCSE exams compare to other schools in the area?

In the previous year, only 16 percent of pupils at Johnson school achieved five A to C grades in their GCSE exams, compared to 81 percent at another local school.

What is the effect of behavioral problems on the school’s performance?

The behavioral problems make it difficult for the school to meet its academic targets. One disruptive pupil can negatively influence an entire year group, causing issues in multiple classrooms.

Why are academically weaker and emotionally troubled children concentrated in schools like Johnson?

More academically capable students from the area are attending schools further away, leaving Johnson with a higher concentration of students who are academically weaker and have emotional difficulties.

What does an educationalist in the script suggest about government policies regarding school choice?

The educationalist suggests that government policies which give parents more choice in selecting schools have created unfair competition. Schools try to attract more desirable students, while schools like Johnson are left with those who have more problems.

What is Johnson school’s response to concerns about discipline and inclusion?

Johnson school emphasizes that it has a strong inclusion policy and effective practices for supporting low-achieving students and those with special educational needs. The school states that the atmosphere is usually calm and that its staff are dedicated and skilled.

What behavior does Alex Dolan observe in her next school?

At her next school, Alex Dolan witnesses frequent fights, late arrivals, students wearing coats and hats during class, and students texting or playing music. Discipline appears to have broken down in this school.

What challenges did Alex face despite taking extra training in classroom management?

Even with extra training in managing bad behavior, Alex struggled to maintain discipline in most of her classes. She encountered frequent disruptions and found it difficult to get the students to follow the rules.