I wrote this as a Facebook status in February after a damning piece on BBC news about Gove's new plans. Feels good to share.
Dear Gove,
Firstly, being a private school doesn't automatically make you better than us 'state' lot. Would you prefer an outstanding state school or a failing private? How about we all aim for good/outstanding regardless of whether mummy and daddy can pay?
Secondly, I'm not a babysitter. My job is to educate children and not keep them entertained for 10 hours a day. When exactly would you like me to plan and mark my 90 books? On that note, when you deliver one of your (ridiculous) speeches, how much planning time do you give yourself? How much support do you get? Right, now try planning 5 of those hour long 'presentations' a day- with people who are challenging and unresponsive.
Gove, you are destroying the profession. And if you use the word 'rigourous' one more time, I will rigorously hunt you down and rigorously discipline you myself, and not in a good way.
Regards,
A VERY angry teacher