Star letter Grammatically incorrect After the fiasco of the Year 2 SPAG tests, there has been an influx of quizzes allowing adults to test their knowledge. Out of curiosity, I couldn’t resist trying a grammar one. I was appalled at my result. Almost twenty years ago I completed an English degree and gained a 2:1, but unfortunately wasn’t up to scratch in a Year 6 SPAG test. My English degree taught me to love the beauty of language and literature without analysing dry, grammatical terms that drain the fun out of learning. We need to save reading and writing before it becomes a monotonous chore. Name supplied
Head of Department, 34, seeks affordable housing in London I guess searching for a property is a little bit like looking for the perfect partner: the first date, awkward phone calls, meeting the parents, the game-playing with ever-changing rules and, just when you think you may have found something worth investing in, you are pipped at the post by someone with a £100,000 deposit. I’ve been living with a friend for almost a year and a half now – she was my ‘knight in shining armour’ after life took an unexpected turn in 2013 and, although I have a roof over my head and bread on the table, I feel like a failure! I’ve been teaching for four years and recently promoted to Head of Department in a large secondary school yet I still can’t afford my own place. The media has highlighted the impact of the housing crisis over the last few weeks and I’ve been having some very interesting conversations with my colleagues, fellow NUT members and local reps, as well as my head teacher about the housing crisis. It seems that until the Government realises that young teachers are not necessarily interested in golden ‘handcuffs’ but rather keen to be able to live within a reasonable distance to their school, have financial schemes that support them to invest in property or indeed a system in place that enforces rent control, then people will start to move north of the Watford gap for work. Last month, I decided to hand in my resignation and will be leaving at the end of the year. I will be moving back in with my mum, who has already started clearing the wardrobes for all my books, and I will be considering ‘starting again’ up North. It’s a shame because I was kind of falling in love with the Big Smoke. Name supplied
Please write The editor welcomes your letters but reserves the right to edit them. Write to: Your letters, the Teacher, NUT, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD or email: teacher@nut.org.uk Letters for the September/October issue should reach us no later than 15 August 2016. Please note we cannot print letters sent in without name and postal address (or NUT membership number), though we can withhold details from publication if you wish.
A proud day I would like to say a huge well done for the organisation and turnout for July’s strike action. I have never swelled with such pride or felt more inspired to be a member of a union that is making a real difference in children’s futures and teachers’ lives. Picketing my school was excellent, with children and parents really receptive to the messages we were giving. It’s just a shame the children were told to remove and throw away the stickers and badges once they were in school. I am not an emotional man but I swelled with pride and had tears in my eyes as we marched through Canterbury. Well done! We are making a difference. I felt this needed to be said as so often we, particularly me, can reflect on the negatives of our day instead of the positives. Many thanks again for an excellent day. Name supplied
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July / August 16 I the Teacher