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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect my son's yr 4 teacher to be older

268 replies

katedan · 08/09/2011 21:17

I know it is like policeman and a sign I am getting older but WTF she is 22 and this is her first teaching job a class of 35 8/9 yr olds. She seemed so out of her depth and it is only day 2.

I am really worried she will not be able to keep the class interested and the standard of my son's education will suffer.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Vallhala · 08/09/2011 21:25

And PS, being out of depth and youth don't necessarily go hand in hand.

My cousin's been teaching science in comprehensives since she was about 22.... you wouldn't want to be caught playing up or not working in her classes! :o

Feminine · 08/09/2011 21:25

They have to start sometime.

Actually, I used to think a bit like you op ,then we moved to where we live now...most of the teachers in my son's school are much older. Cobweb old!

Fresh blood is great imo :)

cazzybabs · 08/09/2011 21:25

She probably is feeling out of her death and so tired - I remember it well! Let her find her feet. An NQT will be monitored all the time ... infact better to have a NQT than someone with a year or so's teaching experience! I am sure she will get better as the time passes

cazzybabs · 08/09/2011 21:25

death - he he that is how I feel .. I meant depth

MadameCastafiore · 08/09/2011 21:26

DS had an NQT last year and he adored her - she so wanted to do a fab job and I have to say she did.

Please don't be worried - the other year class had a very experienced teacher who they all moaned never smiled - she was sick of the job and sitting it out until retirement!

I know which one I would rather have and so did the kids.

Feenie · 08/09/2011 21:26

southeastastra, what makes you think that teaching Year 1 or Year 2 requires any less expertise than teaching any other year, fgs?

Talker2010 · 08/09/2011 21:26

I assume the OP is a joke

Sandalwood · 08/09/2011 21:27

When I was looking around to chose a primary school it was the school with several young teachers I preferred. Young vibrant full of good ideas and enthusiasm.

Original poster
katedan · 08/09/2011 21:27

OK I have jumped to conclusions and she might be great, she was certainly very pretty so that will encourage DH to attend parents evening!

Out of interest those who said they have to start somewhere do you think a class of 35 is a big ask of a NQT?

She did make me feel very old!

OP posts:
acsec · 08/09/2011 21:27

I started teaching at 21 and it used to really wind me up when parents would do exactly as you have and judge me by my age - sometimes the parents would even talk over my shoulder to my TA who was mid 40s as they thought she would know more than me, what they didn't know was she was also new to the job! Your child's teacher has to start somewhere!

YABU to judge her by her age.

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 21:28

oh come on 22 is very young and to just put them into a classroom without any prior experience isn't ideal is it

electra · 08/09/2011 21:28

Your attitude is not on - you are being ageist. She must be qualified for the position.

At my dd's prep school the head of infants is about 24 - much younger than the other teachers in that dept but it's because of her qualifications and not her age!

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 08/09/2011 21:28

'i would be worried to tbh - no one wants a nqt to teach at that level, can't they start at years 1 or 2?'

That is an amazingly dim comment, Yr1 and 2 lay the foundations of future literacy and numeracy skills. Get that wrong and they are often screwed for the next few years, or longer.

cazzybabs · 08/09/2011 21:28

Feenie - they would probably avoid SATS years for NQTs - just to help them find their feet rather than worrying about assessment. My school also avoids reception year NQTs. Year 1 and year 4 are good years to start in.

exoticfruits · 08/09/2011 21:28

The one thing that they don't get any training for is handling parents. Have you not thought that you look a bit old to her and she is out of her depth dealing with you? I expect she isfine with the DCs-full of enthusiasm.

welliesandpyjamas · 08/09/2011 21:28

Some unis make PGCE students specialise in KS1 or KS2 from the start, southeastastra

Hulababy · 08/09/2011 21:28

SEA - why would you think y1 or y2 would be easier? Y2 is SATs year to start with - can imagine lots of parents worrying about an QT taking their children through them, and then Y1 - that big jump from informal reception to more formal ks1 setting.

Y4 seems perfect to me - no SATs or exams type worries, no big jump from infants to juniors, just continuing on in the same setting,,, I can't see an issue to be honest.

Hmm, there really is no good place for NQTs is there? maybe we shoulld just not allow them in schools at all?!

Carrotsandcelery · 08/09/2011 21:28

kate they make me feel old too but to land a job I imagine she will be good at it.

limetrees · 08/09/2011 21:28

YABU - some NQTs are very keen.

When my DB was an NQT, he was a far better teacher than some of his colleagues. There are some who have been in the profession 20 years and are awful teachers. In general, experience is a good thing for a teacher. That doesn't mean an NQT has little to offer and it doesn't mean all experienced teachers are good.

Feenie · 08/09/2011 21:28

I taught a class of 37 as an NQT - it certainly wasn't a problem.

SeniorWrangler · 08/09/2011 21:29

I was running a school music department at 23, and very well too. If you've got your PGCE it means you can be let loose on the public, like passing your driving test meaning you can be let loose on the roads Wink

Hulababy · 08/09/2011 21:29

katedan - tbh a class of 35 would concern be regardless of who was teaching it.

electra · 08/09/2011 21:29

acsec - that must have been unbelievably annoying for you!

Feenie · 08/09/2011 21:30

We've got a GTP student in Y2 this year, cazzybabs - excellent teacher assessment is required in all year groups at lots of schools. Year 2 is no different.

Themumsnot · 08/09/2011 21:30

Now you're being silly, SEA. What do you think the PGCE is for?

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