Hi Paula! I’m finding there are some classes I just don’t go into – precisely because the teacher gets so nervous about me being there. Especially in year 5 and up. It’s a tough but to crack. One way round it has been to make clear that I’m coming in to observe X and then before I leave I ask the teacher questions on what she has found really works with this little guy so I can share the tips with other teachers. Or I write up my observations and make sure I put in things the teacher has done that I know works e.g. teacher takes time to go through daily time table with the whole class and this really supports X’s sequencing skills practice.
I do find though that senior school teachers are much more fearful of being judged. Feeling responsible for GCSE success grades is absolutely traumatic as an annual experience!