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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Moulesfrites · 08/09/2011 21:55

Maypole and SEA you are both being completely illogical. Every teacher was an NQT once. They have to start somewhere in order to get the experience that you are demanding. Yes, not all NQTs are fantastic, neither are all experienced teachers - some of them are incredibly jaded, cynical and an NQT can be a breath of fresh air.

As for "high jinx" between teachers and students, I think age is irrelevant. Some of the dodgiest pupil/teacher dynamics I have encountered have usually involved middle aged male teachers.

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 21:55

what the actual fuck back at you

'these times' means when our children are competing against the rest of europe for a chance of a better education

exoticfruits · 08/09/2011 21:56

'years 1 and 2 are easier surely, especially to learn how to control a classroom if nothing else'

That one want me want to roll around the floor in mirth!

exoticfruits · 08/09/2011 21:56

Sorry-laughing too much too make sense!

Moulesfrites · 08/09/2011 21:56

I realise that is a stereotype as well, and of course there are plenty of fantastic middle aged male teachers, but I do not think that teachers should be denigrated because of their age. There are some huge benefits of being taught by an NQT, many of which have been outlined on here already.

Feenie · 08/09/2011 21:57

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 08/09/2011 21:57

'It's as daft as our caretaker, years ago, who thought I'd been demoted on my move from Y6 to Y2!'

I had outraged parents volunteering to take my demotion to the head and governors when I moved from Y6 to Y1 a while back.

Feenie · 08/09/2011 21:58

Badgercub · 08/09/2011 21:58

southeastastra

You are either incredible stupid with no concept and experience of child development and the intricacies of teaching.

Or...you're a troll

Hulababy · 08/09/2011 21:59

I can honestly say that ime it is easier to control a class of 8 year olds than a class of 5 year olds. I am currently working with the new Y1s and they are so ypoung and little, and need so much reining in to keep them organised, on task, and managed. Very different to a class of mre grown up 8yos!

mckenzie · 08/09/2011 22:00

Feenie, I'm pleased to be able to tell you that DS had a young female NQT in year 4 and it was by far the best year he had ever had at school. I appreciate not all NQTs are the same but don't write her off just because she is young and perhaps inexperienced.

exoticfruits · 08/09/2011 22:01

I remember the caretaker saying how nice it was for an experienced teacher near retirement to have reception and just playand have an easy time!

Feenie · 08/09/2011 22:02

Think you may have confused me with someone else, mckenzie. I most certainly wouldn't write off an NQT - I was one years ago!

IloveJudgeJudy · 08/09/2011 22:02

YABVU. DS2 in particular was taught by an NQT and she was fantastic and has now gone on to be a deputy head, if not a headteacher. She was so full of enthusiasm it was brilliant. He had a great year. Much better than DS1 who was taught a couple of years by not such good teachers. One was just waiting for retirement and one was a permanent supply for a teacher who had to have a few months off for health reasons. The NQT was much better.

exoticfruits · 08/09/2011 22:03

I would say year 4 are about the easiest to control, old enough to do things for themselves and know what is expected -and not old enough to be getting 'big fish in a small pond'.

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 22:06

i think a normal sane human being would be harder to control the older they got, what hope is there for us to be so 'controllable' as kids

yes i have no idea about child development

SoupDragon · 08/09/2011 22:07

"i think most people would want their child to be taught by an experienced teacher in these times surely."

Personally, I want my children taught by a qualified teacher.

When DS was in Y1, his teacher turned 21 that November. She was (is) fabulous.

acsec · 08/09/2011 22:10

I'm really confused as to where some people on this thread think teachers come from! The head of your child's school probably started as a 22yr old NQT, that amazing 50 yr old science teacher with years of experience probably started as a 22 yr old NQT. Teachers don't just magically appear - there is ALOT of training involved (I know I did it). A person doesn't just wake up one day and think 'Oh I know, I'll go and get a job as a teacher' they are experienced when they get there.

As to whoever it was who said couldn't they start in yr 1 or 2 as it's easier have you ever taught yrs 1 or 2 or any year for that matter?!

Finally, to the child it doesn't matter how old their teacher is, the children in my class think their parents are aged somewhere between 10 and 80 and that I must be older than my TA (I'm not) because I am the teacher. Age is irrelevant to the children and should be to their parents.

...and breathe...

Hulababy · 08/09/2011 22:11

Not always sea. Differnet ages have their own challenges, and it depends ont he type of classes you are teaching and working with.

Take secondary. Y11 is not harder to control than Y7 on the whole ime. Many Y11 classes are more focused n their work, passing their exams, etc. I always found Y9 the hardest ins econdary - mix of not yet at GCSEs, and too many hormones kicking in.

You get similar situations in primary. Y1 means a lot more movement round the classroom, free flow or continuous provision. Children chosing activities whilst teacher and ta work with small groups or individuals, whilst monitoring the rest of the class in their chosing time. Whereas when they are a bit older they are more confined to sitting at desks, all working at the same time, etc.

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 22:11

oh come on soupy

qualified of course but why is experienced being so ridiculously lambasted on here

Feenie · 08/09/2011 22:12

Because qualified teachers do have experience!

Hulababy · 08/09/2011 22:13

Experience is of course good ont he whole. But how do you think teachers get that experience? And also, NQTs do have some experience when first embarking on that job. They have already done several hours in the classroom before their NQT job starts. And don't forget that experience doesn't always mean a good teacher. Experience can lead to jadedness.

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 22:13

no much

Fontsnob · 08/09/2011 22:13

'these times' means when our children are competing against the rest of europe for a chance of a better education

EH???????

southeastastra · 08/09/2011 22:14

that must have taken you ages to italicalise fontsnob

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