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Original poster

Head teacher appointment - opinions please.

27 replies

linney · 21/10/2006 09:46

I am involved in the appointment of a new head at our primary school. The current deputy head will be applying for the job and he is perfect for the job, popular with parents, teachers and children, highly effective and motivated, and just generally an all round good thing. It would take a very strong outside applicant to beat him - although we will do our best to be consider every applicant equally. The "problem" that I would like opinions on is this. He's gay. Do people think this will be a problem for most parents if he is appointed and when it gets out? Which of course it will - he doesn't live locally and is what I suppose would be called discreet - but he's not secretive about it. Would any of the parents on here have a problem with it? Has anybody got any ideas on the best way to handle the situation if, as I hope he is appointed?

OP posts:

ScummyMummy · 21/10/2006 09:50

I guess you just say he's a great teacher and it's none of our business who he shags, don't you?

GoingQuietlyMad · 21/10/2006 09:53

I would be very surprised in this day and age if anyone had a problem with it.

Is it a very religious school?

cece · 21/10/2006 10:12

WHY ON EARTH WOULD IT BE RELEVANT TO HOW HE DOES HIS JOB?

Sorry caps were an acciedent!

niceglasses · 21/10/2006 10:16

Suppose the only issue could be if it is a Faith school for some parents, but otherwise totally irrelevant I would have said.

mummydear · 21/10/2006 10:18

You say he is popular with the parents already - so if it'gets out' then why should pople suddenly change their mind. If they do chmage they mind then they are narrow minded and not worth listening to

I wouldn't be bothered about it , aslong as he is good at the job.

I don't know how to suggest how to deal with it when it comes out ... it would depned on reaction of parents. I would make an issue of it before hand , could cause the appointmnet board trouble before its starts.

mummydear · 21/10/2006 10:19

Sorry should say ' I wouldn't make an issue before hand '

robinpud · 21/10/2006 10:22

Linney- I have a very uncomfortable feeling reading your post. Objectivity is really important. If you are involved with the appointment then I hope you have had training on the relevant equal opportunities issues and that someone on the panel has done the Bichard training regarding recruitment.
I cannot see how a candidate's sexuality is of any relevance. Ensuring that the interview and selection process is handled fairly is much more pressing.

mummydear · 21/10/2006 10:26

Agree with robin there.. I suppose thats what i was trying to say ... do not make an issue of it , it has no relevance .

wakeupandsmellthecoffee · 21/10/2006 11:32

I wouldnt have a problem at all . I personally think it could be a good thing as in showing the children (because I am sure they wil find out ) that our world is made up of all different types of people . But depending on the age of the children .Our school is primary up to the age of 11 and I am not sure how the older boys would react and wether they would respect this man . But as a parent I would not be bothered at all .

Original poster

linney · 21/10/2006 13:18

Don't worry, I'm not on the panel - and those that are have had all the relevant training. I was just trying to think ahead. I agree that anybody who had a problem with him is a narrow minded bigot and that he's the same person regardless of sexuality. However, I also know how vocal and poisonous narrow minded bigots can be. The head teacher of a primary school in a very small town is a very public figure, and I want us to be prepared for anything that might happen. Even though nothing probably will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is my motto!

OP posts:

flack · 21/10/2006 19:40

You'll never get a head that everyone likes. Just brazen it out if, in the future, anybody raises his sexuality as objectionable. Give them a blank look like they came from another planet. At the end of the day it's their problem, not the schools'.

Blandmum · 21/10/2006 19:43

Do you think that he is planing to shag on school grounds? If not, then what does his sexuality matter?

If he was a heterosexual, would you be worried that he had sex with women?

Since neither will happen in school why should it matter?

I work with an openly gay man. His sexuality doesn't matter in school any more than mine does.

HumphreyComfrey · 21/10/2006 20:04

I'm shocked that it's even an issue TBH.

pointyfangedWeredog · 21/10/2006 20:49

of no relevance whatsoever.

busybusymum · 21/10/2006 20:53

You asked if any parents on here have a problem with it and my answer is NO definately not. Any ideas on handling the situation? I think that will depend on the situation when it arises.

MadamePlatypus · 21/10/2006 20:57

Just to reassure you, My secondary school head was gay and nobody cared at all. This was at a private school that was theoretically C of E. At the end of the day it was the fact that she did a good job that mattered. Ofcourse there was a little bit of talk about her private life amongst the pupils, but less than there was about other straight staff members.

Original poster

linney · 21/10/2006 20:58

I'm really pleased that everyone thinks it's not an issue. I don't either - please read my posts properly if you think I've said anything untoward! I just hope all our parents are as tolerant as the mumsnet set.

OP posts:

worcestercaroline · 21/10/2006 21:51

If he's a teacher there already how come no1 has suspected him of bein gay already? If he can do the job then thats all that matters

busybusymum · 21/10/2006 23:43

Linney are you the teacher concerned??????

ediemay · 21/10/2006 23:46

It is completely irrelevant and it would be up to HIM how to "handle the situation". There is no "situation" IMO.

Clary · 22/10/2006 00:11

Cannot see why it would be an issue tbh. He's already the deputy isn't he and gay now as well? Robinpud is quite right, no one is allowed to make this an issue at all.

Well done on having a good deputy. We appointed a new head last year and the dh applied but frankly wasn't our first choice (and so thus was not appointed) - potentially bit awkward imo.

Original poster

linney · 22/10/2006 11:16

busybusymum- no I'm not. But I am a governor of the school, and a personal friend of the teacher concerned. TBH, I'm a bit surprised at the tone of some of the replies I've had - I would have thought from my OP that it was obvious that I don't think it is a problem and I don't think other people should either. But I live in the real world, and in the real world there are narrow minded bigots and homophobes - and I want to be prepared to deal with them should the need arise.

OP posts:

busybusymum · 22/10/2006 11:45

I hope I didn't offend, just putting 2 and 2 together and making 5 as usual.

I understood that you didn't think its a problem and I can see where you are coming from.

In my experience of parents and schools, some parents will make it an issue this will coincide with any negative comments directed at their child! (Some parents dont even like to be told their child needs to try harder!)
Sadly we have just had a situation where a parent verbally abused a teacher because of their sex. Sad but true

Hope it all goes well.

GoingQuietlyMad · 22/10/2006 22:54

You may be worrying too much, because as his friend you can't bear to think of people criticising.

I hope this thread has put your mind at rest somewhat. The likelihood is that people will be less bothered and more tolerant than you think. In this day and age, it is very taboo to make any homophobic references, and he is well protected by law if anyone raises it as an issue.

Good luck.

DominiConnor · 25/10/2006 18:05

I like blondes, there I've said it, I've come out of the closet. Does this make me unfit for my job ?

The implication is that it's already known, so it's hard to see how even the PR situations changes much.

Also, in any appointment you have to consider what happens if you pass over a well qualified internal candidate. The best case scenario is that he leaves, so you lose a good member of staff.

He may go downhill from being a great asset to losing motivation big time, and given that he's deputy head, can make life awkward for the new head, and his colleagues.

Also he may well sue you big time. I'd bet money that there's documents and emails about his sexuality, and it's "effect". A lawyer will have just so much fun with them.

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