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AIBU?

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DC’s teacher didn’t go to university.

615 replies

RabbitWedge · 28/07/2024 17:38

Two of my DC’s are at the same secondary private school. It’s a small private school, not a well known name, but costs a small fortune nonetheless. An interaction with one of my DC’s English teachers at the end of term has made me feel uncomfortable.

‘Mrs Jones’ has worked at the school for a number of years. She is a very well liked English teacher; the children love her and she’s given high praise on the parents WhatsApp group. At the end of term, I was having a casual chit chat with ‘Mrs Jones’ and the topic of university came up. I asked ‘Mrs Jones’ where she went to university, and she stated that she had not gone and didn’t have a degree. I must have looked very taken aback, as she quickly added that she had an impeccable educational record (apparently all A’s and A*’s), she’d been tutoring for a number of years and working as a TA, at which point the school promoted her to teach English. I didn’t ask for this explanation, but she perhaps felt the need to justify her teaching.

I was under the impression that all teachers had to have degrees at the very least, and whilst I don’t doubt her popularity and delivery of her English lessons, I am concerned. I was aware that teachers in the private system didn’t need to be qualified teachers, but to not even have attended university seems unsuitable.

Would you raise this with the school in my position?

OP posts:
Purplebunnie · 28/07/2024 17:47

I went to a technical college at 16. One of our English teachers hadn't been to University. Out of the 4 (yes we had 4 different English teachers) he was streets ahead of them in knowledge of subject, teaching ability, control of class, well just everything.

I enjoyed his lessons and looked forward to them. Had he been the only English teacher I would have passed my "A" level, the others were dire

TheRainItRaineth · 28/07/2024 17:46

Honestly, this doesn't sound like a good school if they can't attract degree-educated people to teach essential subjects. For context, my DD is at a private secondary and her English teacher has a PhD.

The qualifications of the deputy PM are clearly irrelevant as there are no minimum qualifications to be an MP and the entire sector is pretty much unregulated.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 28/07/2024 17:46

My dd's former Independent school has every member of staff listed on their website, along with their relevant qualifications.

Surely you did research / visited / asked questions before sending your child to the school.

spanieleyes · 28/07/2024 17:46

Raise what?
The school know she doesn't have a degree, they employed her knowing that and continue to employ her.

pinkyredrose · 28/07/2024 17:45

Send them to State if you're that bothered.

TinyYellow · 28/07/2024 17:45

You’ve answered your own point, you knew that private schools don’t have to employ qualified professionals so you left the judgement of whether or not their teachers are capable to the leadership of the school. I don’t think I would raise it in your position.

PuttingDownRoots · 28/07/2024 17:45

Wete you happy with her teaching before you knew she wasn't qualified?

Shes basically done an apprenticeship really. More idea about what's she doing than am NQT.

ToniGreen · 28/07/2024 17:44

Our Deputy PM didnt even get a GCSE.

SparrowNest15 · 28/07/2024 17:44

Independent schools and academies can employ teachers without a degree and qualified teaching status . To tell the truth I have both , but I have found my life experience and learning on the job more useful than my degree in the subject I teach .

Toetouchingtitties · 28/07/2024 17:44

I don’t get this ‘need a degree to teach’ bullshit. You can get some very capable individuals who can teach without one. If they are getting good results, what’s the issue?

LividSummer · 28/07/2024 17:43

You answered the question yourself.

Of course teachers SHOULD have a degree, but in the private system they can do what they like, and in the state system they get whoever they can persuade to stand in front of the class if they can’t recruit.

Teaching needs a huge cash injection to recruit suitable trainees.

StaySpicy · 28/07/2024 17:43

No, I don't think you can raise it with the school. They can employ who they like to teach.

Plimsoll73 · 28/07/2024 17:43

Private schools are a different kettle of fish. They can employ teachers with no training or a degree/QTS.

ETA You still want them to have gone to university, but what difference does it make if it's not in their subject they teach?

WYorkshireRose · 28/07/2024 17:42

Would you raise this with the school in my position?

To what end? The school are fully aware, they employ her Confused

DuckBee · 28/07/2024 17:41

You would be surprised to learn the teachers at private schools don’t have to be qualified in their subject or qualified as teachers at alll but the state sector does. You should find out what you are paying for before you pay.