Prep room & teachers

L

LivLabTech

Hi all
do your teachers all have a key to your prep room to access whenever they see fit (whether tech is there or not)? Also do you have an area you have to keep clear e.g large middle bench in prep room to keep clear so they can work there (even though they all have their own labs/work space to use if lab is in use)?
 
Yes, the key is the same as all of the labs, but the only benches I keep clear are for me to prep at, not for them to work.

It doesn't make sense to me that they can't have access, I can access their labs when they're not in so why not the other way round? If I'm not in work how are they going to come in and grab their practicals? I just think it's all about how you police it.
 
This year we moved into a new build where only the techs have a key (apparently HOD is supposed to have one but they are taking their time sourcing it which is fine by me!) Not enough bench space to keep any area clear so no chance there and they have their own workroom to use when labs are occupied. In the old building everyone had prep room keys and we were on two floors with two small prep rooms, didn't really have a problem with people wanting to work in there as it was cramped and there was no computer so it rarely happened. More annoying was coming to the prep room to find pupils left in there alone to 'do a test' or whatever. Infuriating at best :mad:. I like them not having access, it means that we have total control over what comes in/leaves the room :)
 
Not all our teachers do, a couple of them have master keys so could if they needed to, plus the prep room has doors to the 2 adjoining labs and can be accessed through those.
And definitely no to keeping an area clear, in fact I deliberately cover most of the workbenches with stuff to stop them leaving their paperwork in here. My large middle bench is where all the preparation happens, so I wouldn't want teachers putting stuff there in case there are traces of any chemicals.
 
No area clear for them, but clear areas for me. Preproom always open, but I am in it during classes, and the corridors are staff manned at all other times. The HoD knows where I keep the key to the chem cupboard, but would only rarely want to access it in my absence, if at all... why would I stop them otherwise burning water and melting ice in my absence?
 
clairelucas said:
why would I stop them otherwise burning water and melting ice in my absence?
Click to expand...

This is the part that confuses me, from this thread, we expect the staff to see us as professionals yet we can't see them as professional enough to have access to our prep rooms? If we are lone techs and also absent are we to let that affect the teaching and learning of our students?
 
Students are not permitted in preprooms, though they do knock on the door to ask for things. Preprooms have the same locks as labs so teachers can gain entry, but they do not work in the preprooms. They might want to use the phones as we have them and they don't.

Bio and Chem prep are kept locked at all times, here in physics I have 5 doors but the room is between labs and those are kept locked.

Cleaners don't enter preprooms either, technicians sweep them and site staff wash the floors.
 
My prep room is on a key pad. Only myself and science teachers have access. The teachers have a couple of desks in the prep room and are welcome to work in there, they know not to get in my way or mess my work area up. My lot don't take things without asking but if I'm ever off, they know there's a spare set of keys in my drawer so that they can access any locked chem cabinets etc. I've not had a day off sick in the five years I've worked here........touch wood.
 
Our key is the same for all the labs so yes they have access but somebody is usually in here as we are quite well staffed.

We also have a clear area for working, trialing for anybody that needs it. If somebody eg the tech is using it then the teacher has to come back later or state when they will be in so we can keep it clear for them.
 
We have a key pad on the door we shut if there is no one in the prep room. Staff have all been told what the code is - though not many remember.

We store Year 7 and 8 workbooks for staff to collect, folders with all schemes of work and some stationery supplies, as well as glassware, chemicals etc so staff are in and out quite a bit.

We have one bench that is not used for chemical prep so occasionally staff come in and work there, mainly writing req sheets.

We don't have a problem with them getting stuff during a lesson that we have forgotten/they forgot to mention if we are not in the prep room
 
Ours is an entirely separate prep room, only one, at the end of a long corridor of 13 labs, currently us two techs and head of fac have access via different key to the labs - he wants all teachers to access, we said fine as long as they don't take equipment without asking etc. Also he wants our large middle bench, 4 meters long, to be kept clear of all items by us so it can be used for teacher space (toaster was mentioned!), personally I think its going to be the staff lunch area and a dumping ground for god knows what they bring in. No computers on this bench or gas/water only electricity.
 
Why would teachers expect to use the prep room for their work?, we don't walk in to their classrooms and expect to do our work, they have their places they can work in when not using a classroom.
 
Luke H said:
This is the part that confuses me, from this thread, we expect the staff to see us as professionals yet we can't see them as professional enough to have access to our prep rooms? If we are lone techs and also absent are we to let that affect the teaching and learning of our students?
Click to expand...

Teachers don't have access to SLT, guidance, office, janitorial, switch/server rooms and so on as they do not require access. My prep room is no different. They have absolutely no need to enter my prep room at any time if I am not present, even when I am there it would only be to talk to techs!
 
Rachel said:
Also he wants our large middle bench, 4 meters long, to be kept clear of all items by us so it can be used for teacher space (toaster was mentioned!
Click to expand...

Are they aware about the CLEAPSS guidance on not eating or preparing food in labs? I'd have to put my foot down and say no to the toaster. below is taken out of GL113

The legislation applies equally to staff, pupils and visitors. Staff should set an example by adhering to the
departmental policy. If staff need to eat or drink between lessons they need time to do so away from the
laboratory or prep room. If this is not possible, for example because there is no suitable alternative
location (a departmental office or staff room) that is within reach in the time available, this issue should
be raised with senior management.​
 
Dod said:
Why would teachers expect to use the prep room for their work?, we don't walk in to their classrooms and expect to do our work, they have their places they can work in when not using a classroom.
Click to expand...
Because in previous schools he has worked in the prep room has been 'the hub of the department' to quote :rolleyes:
 
Luke H said:
This is the part that confuses me, from this thread, we expect the staff to see us as professionals yet we can't see them as professional enough to have access to our prep rooms? If we are lone techs and also absent are we to let that affect the teaching and learning of our students?
Click to expand...

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more, all my teachers have access, inc equipment store and chemical store(if they remember the number pad) - its such a small space they can't work in it, but if they did I would talk to them about why and if they could use a classroom or the staffroom. - they are all very polite in mentioning they have been in if i wasn't about. If im off ill, I get as many trays filled as possible and stack in my room so they can get when required, or email directions to where everything is - as they never remember one year to the next. - if a teacher was in the way, I would first have quiet words and then take it up with my HoD if it persisted.
 
Luke H said:
Are they aware about the CLEAPSS guidance on not eating or preparing food in labs? I'd have to put my foot down and say no to the toaster. below is taken out of GL113

The legislation applies equally to staff, pupils and visitors. Staff should set an example by adhering to the
departmental policy. If staff need to eat or drink between lessons they need time to do so away from the
laboratory or prep room. If this is not possible, for example because there is no suitable alternative
location (a departmental office or staff room) that is within reach in the time available, this issue should
be raised with senior management.​
Click to expand...
well considering the majority sit in a lab for their lunch on benches pupils have not long done practicals on and the benches aren't cleaned by cleaners of an evening I'd say they have no regard for CLEAPSS guidance. CLEAPPS poster in every room about no food or drink!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top