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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ex forces members as schoolteachers, (Panorama tonight?)

552 replies

GabbyLoggon · 28/02/2011 11:53

Are they being unreasoable?

Its a government idea copied from America
(suprise, suprise)

Training ex forces members to be schoolteachers (It has always been open for them to do that.)

Is it a gimmick? The trouble is Cameron learned from Blair the art of regular publicity stunts.

So it is difficult to know what to take seriously.

What do the teaching profession think of it? "Gabby"

OP posts:
yellowvan · 01/03/2011 11:25

Didnt mean to put sad there

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 01/03/2011 11:26

AFTER SEING PANORAMA.....

It was more militaristic than I expected. Hence the mums statement at the end "I dont want my son coming home in a bodybag."

I suspect the teaching profession may be more upset about this govt plan than the parents. (We will soon see.)

I think Panorama could have allowed a bit more space to the critics. (I suppose this aspect is fiercely debated by govt and BBC)

what did those of you who watched it think? "Gabby"

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 01/03/2011 11:27

I find LeQ that sticking my fingers in my ears and going la la la works in these situations - alternatively I pretend I didn't hear the question and step briskly into the kitchen whilst deflecting questions with offers of tea.

Terrificteens · 01/03/2011 11:28

Many primary heads still have a significant teaching workload. Even if they no longer teach they should be able to teach effectively.
I am now in an advisory role but I insist on teaching regularly so that I remain in touch with my teaching skills and I maintain my credibility with other teachers. There are too many people trying to tell teachers how to do their jobs without being able to do the job themselves.

A Head teacher who has never taught? Do me a favour!

scaryteacher · 01/03/2011 11:31

Yellow - as a right wing teacher with a more pragmatic approach I can see where ex military could be good.

NinkyNonker · 01/03/2011 11:32

Headteachers are more managers than teachers now. I think part of the problem is that schools are run by people who may have demonstrated great teaching ability, but the qualities that make you a great teacher don't always make you a great manager, sometimes they are diametrically opposite to one another.

To run a large school efficiently, with all of the budgets, legislation etc now you need to be an excellent manager. Prefereably with an excellent teacher as your Deputy!

yellowvan · 01/03/2011 11:33

Yes of course you can, scary, but not every teacher would agree!

MilaMae · 01/03/2011 11:34

How on earth can a head teacher improve standards if he/she has never taught, doesn't know how to teach effectively,hasn't experienced the latest teaching methods for him/herself? Confused

In my experience the best heads are always the best teachers. The worse heads are the crappiest teachers,believe me I've taught with both.

The best heads lead by example and know how to improve results being able to effectively do it themselves. If you don't have respect from your staff you're nothing,you'll never ever get that respect if you can't teach yourself.

vintageteacups · 01/03/2011 11:36

Yes but my point is that I think schools could do away with HTs altogether. Why not let the teachers teach and for the school to be managed by a school manager? I think that it this way, schools would do better all round. Yes there are great HTs but there are some truly awful HTs who don't have a clue about management or even how to talk in a civil manner to parents.

You could teachers of varying levels depending on whether they're in the management team etc and then have a school manager who runs the school. An ex-forces person could have the quals and attributes to do that (along with anyone else from industry etc that wanted to apply)

vintageteacups · 01/03/2011 11:37

exactly what Nickynonk said about having the great HT as the deputy.

scaryteacher · 01/03/2011 11:41

Beg to differ there. The last UK Head I worked for I respected greatly, because he ran a good school and was a iron hand in a velvet glove.

However, he spent his time fighting funding battles with the LEA; visiting other schools as he was Chairman of the county association of secondary heads; in meetings with the LEA; and doing all the things that a Head of a large comp has to do. He didn't have time for a teaching load as far as I could see.

MilaMae · 01/03/2011 11:41

Fat lot of good being a great teacher deputy is going to do.I can see it now-"well sir this would be the most effective way" HT "I don't care it's not in the budget,we don't have the time and it's not the latest buzzword" "but sir this is how I do it,it really works......you get my drift.

vintageteacups · 01/03/2011 11:42

No - I don't get it. Not until you've seen great army officers at work, will you know what I'm trying to explain milamae.

LeQueen · 01/03/2011 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MilaMae · 01/03/2011 11:45

Right vintage Hmm

Terrificteens · 01/03/2011 11:45

So you want to demote great HT to deputy and put in another layer of management on top?
Errr ... Schools don't have this kind of money to play with and I for one think that the school needs to be led by someone who know about education.

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 01/03/2011 11:45

as an observer of the school debate.

A Head will occasionally come on phone-ins etc and say "I have cracked it on discipline" I think a jocular "Good"

Then Mr cracked-It goes on to explain. broadly speaking: Uniform, good manners , no debate on rules. second breakage...CONSEQUENCES.

I could write a musical about the C-word. What does it mean? And have they really cracked it? Or are they just good broadcasters.?

The ACADAMY schools are said to have a "total silence" regime. Does it work? Is it the only way?
TINA as my near neighbour said in govt. "Gabby"

OP posts:
LeQueen · 01/03/2011 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

yellowvan · 01/03/2011 11:47

Oh yes, "Gabby", like 'zero tolerance' wtf???

MilaMae · 01/03/2011 11:51

I think the business manager should be the deputy or ideally an amazing teacher with a good head for business should be the head there are plenty out there some in very challenging areas.

vintageteacups · 01/03/2011 11:52

Ditto what LeQueen said Smile

Terrificteens · 01/03/2011 11:53

Or the HT could employ a manager to deal with the financial stuff. I don't see why you would want the driving force behind the school to be business rather than education. I think that your priorities are back to front.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 01/03/2011 11:53

Milamae I think most people with management experience know that's the way you don't do it.

Good managers listen to those with expertise in their area and then balance it up against the goals/objectives and constraints.

Terrificteens · 01/03/2011 11:54

X posts with MilaMae

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 01/03/2011 11:58

So we have in schools "Tough Love" (a USA import and a contradiction in terms) "Consequences" (A nystery phrase...And "Zero Tolerance" I thought he was one of Chelseas foreign players)

seriously...I would like to know more of what is going on in schools cos it matters to teachers and parents and society in general.

Not so seriously...banning boys for haircuts comes up periodically . chhers "gabby"

OP posts:
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