Thread by @M_X_F

THREAD on DUTIES: I do approx. 13 duties per week. Mostly in the canteen. With a reasonable AHT teaching timetable on top, I have a vested interest in not using my voice too much and certainly not shouting. So here’s a thread with some tips for any less seasoned duty staff /#ECT

A lot of these are mentioned as good in-classroom techniques by @DougLemov , e.g. ‘radar’ ‘be seen looking’ ‘least invasive intervention’ but I shall summarise them here in my own words as pertains to my (secondary) school canteen…

1. POSITION - have a couple of default high-visibility positions, where you can see as much of the space as possible. For me this is often near the door so I can see in + out of the canteen, or further into the room with max visibility.

2. BE SEEN LOOKING - my goal is not to use my voice, so my eye-line is the most important thing. Often all it takes is for one of a group to notice I’m staring straight at them for any slight misbehaviour to stop.

3. PROXIMITY - the rowdiest groups place themselves far from duty spots. I give them space, but if noise levels rise, I’ll just very visibly move myself closer to their table - taking up a new position near their table (but looking elsewhere) so they are aware of my presence.

4. FURNITURE - Noticing that a particular corner was a magnet to large groups, we made a couple of adaptations: placed a large, heavy table + bench there rather than small movable tables/plastic chairs. Also CCTV…

5. TAKE A SEAT - students are much better behaved when sitting down! One of the times I will use my voice is to remind them to sit. I tend to phrase it in a polite and inviting way ‘take a seat’ rather than ‘SIT DOWN’

6. QUIET POWER - combinations of the above - proximity, eye contact, a raised eyebrow, a gesture - if expectations are clear, 90% of the time these are enough to get the compliance needed. Also lack of eye contact/walk away sometimes useful - to de-escalate!

7. SEPARATE THEN INTERROGATE - if there's s an issue between 2 + students, the most important thing is to get the most volatile away from the group. Challenging in front of peers will end in failure, but get them somewhere quieter and they may just tell you what’s going on.

8. COMMUNICATE - where possible, aim to have an eye line to another colleague so you can call on them when needed. If you need to step out, ask a trusty student to fetch another staff member. Never leave your duty spot unattended!

9. TURN UP, ON TIME - it can be really difficult getting to duties on time, especially if you teach at the other end of the school (I do). But it’s so important. The student who needs to talk to you at the end of the lesson can wait. A canteen full of hungry kids can’t.

10. RESET - if behaviour on your duty isn’t where you’d like it to be, it may need a wider ‘reset’ - talk to your SLT - can students be reminded of expectations in form, in assembly? What are the consequences for misbehaving and are these being followed through consistently?

I haven’t touched on smiling, using duties to build relationships with children, staff, or many other things, but the above probably make the most difference to me in terms of being effective on duty + also preserving my voice and energy for periods 4, 5, and 6!

I'd be interested to hear your tips on duties, especially on the areas I didn't mention - any good conversational 'openers' with students? Judging if they want to talk to you?!
Hope it helps #edutwitter @MrTs_NQTs @ECTeacher21 #ECTchat #SLTchat #MLchat @SLTchat @newtosltchat

I’d also like to add that I do actually enjoy my duties! Students at my school behave well the majority of the time and in some ways it’s the closest I get to a ‘break’ in the day!i always get lunch from canteen (great chef) and it’s less brain work than the rest of the day!