Parents- and particularly private school parents...

[BertrandRussell]

.....because I am pretty sure this could not happen in a state school (although I am prepared to be told I am wrong). How would you feel about a completely unqualified (but very experienced) 18 year old taking a significant part in lessons in a specific subject for your year 7 and 8s? I’m a bit bothered about outing-so I don’t want to be too specific. But it’s a vocational subject that a lot of them will be taking at GCSE, and he is quite often taking a group on his own, like a TA would. He knows what he’s doing and checks back with the teacher but I’m not sure he should be doing this. And neither does he- even though he’s loving it!

He probably shouldn't but it's not just private schools. Academy schools can use any staff they judge as suitable for teaching subjects, it doesn't have to be qualified teaching staff. Cue a LOT of teaching assistant led classes.

I'd be ok with this as long as he's CRB checked etc.

One of my children had a teenaged volunteer LSA for a term at his state academy. He was absolutely brilliant (I realise it’s not exactly the same thing).

Is he perhaps a current or recent student? Mentoring younger pupils is not unusual and moght be especially relevant in computer science , design technology or drama. Dc school has a program of its sixth formers working as ta in state schools or other schools visit and take part in activities run by sixth formers.

My DS is a geography ambassador at his school (yr 12) and doing geography A level and he takes yr 8 geography lessons once a week, lesson has been planned by the teacher and is usually a practical or discussion based session.

I know some of the maths student do similar too with yr 7 and 8 if that os what you mean by a core subject.

He could be doing his compulsory work experience?
My DD went back to her primary school for hers - although she didn't take a class on her own, she did everything a TA would do, including taking small groups for certain activities.
I do think parents should be advised if this is happening.

No- he’s actually employed (he’s my ds!) He didn’t go to the school.

He’s just being given much more responsibility than either he or I expected. He’s delighted. I just think if I was a parent- particularly a parent paying megabucks- i’d be a bit about it. And if I was a qualified TA I might be a bit about it too....

It would totally depend on the exact circumstances to be fair. Some of the 18 year olds I work with at summer camp in the USA are the best teachers ever - they were meant to work with kids and it’s a mutually beneficial thing. They are hired more based on their experience (either working with kids or in a specialist activity area) than qualifications at that age and this camp costs $13,000 for seven weeks. Parental expectations are obviously high.

So long as he has an enhanced DBS check, received appropriate safeguarding training, is regularly supervised and monitored PLUS is doing a great job and the children obviously learning and progressing then I personally have no problem. Knowing some of the other parents at my school though they would probably want his head on a spike along with that of the headteacher......

He has a DBS check- but the school haven’t given him any training at all.

The more I think about this, the more concerned I am. I started off being worried about how the parents might feel. I’m now wondering if there is any potential for him to get into trouble in some way I have’t quite thought of yet. He’s done annual safeguarding training as part of something else he does- but none since he was 18. Does that make a difference? And what happens if a parent finds out about him not being qualified and makes a complaint about him? Am I worrying about nothing? He got the job through word of mouth- so no proper process there either!

It would depend on the subject I think.

DT and the potential hazards involved, no I wouldn’t be impressed.

Native German speaker or extremely talented mathematician taking small groups for conversation or extension work rather than racing them through the curriculum, I’d be delighted.

Make sure he is covered by school insurance. If someone gets hurt on his watch he will be liable if not. And join a union as added protection. For practical subjects he needs to ensure he's covered !!

Oh god- I hadn’t even thought if insurance! He must be covered, surely???

OK- I’m risking outage I suppose- but it’s drama. He’s doing practical and written stuff with them. No dangerous chemicals or tools at least........

If a child gets hurt, even running around in a drama game, he could be liable. Please get him to check. Different schools cover different people.

If he is employed and an adult he should be covered by their insurance.
He should ask for training around basic safeguarding.
As a mum with dc currently in private school I would be fine with my dc being taught by an 18 year old in a specific subject they had a passion for if they could engage my dc.
I'm not too fussed about specific teaching qualifications, PhD students make great teachers at uni.

Thank you. One good thing- he doesn’t need to be fed on the days he works- he is very impressed by private school catering!!

Gap students are fairly common in independent schools. They should be supervised by a teacher.

How long is this going on for? We run a summer internship programme which gives year 2 degree STEM students the chance to work in a school for 4 weeks. Some more s led students do take classes and run with it of course some don't.

As a private school parent I would be fine IF he is doing a good job. I probably wouldt even question it tbh.
I would question a crap teacher, regardless of the training PhD etc.. they've had.

I think if it's drama to be fair it's fine,

Schools sometimes have a few gap year placements

Properly set up, monitored and supported, they can be a very good thing. Though I've only come across them in a couple of departments (sports and languages)

I'm not quite clear what he's doing but my DC's prep school have four gap year students every year. They don't take entire lessons but kind of act as extra TAs and will listen to reading. They're usually people who want to train as teachers and are carefully vetted. They always seem to work out great and the kids love them! They don't ever take lessons alone though. I would be happy with what you describe as long as he's supervised I wouldn't expect him to be in sole charge of the class.

Your son is at risk.
This is why most student teachers are advised to join a union ASAP. If anything goes wrong or a pupil/parent makes an accusation he will be on his own.

This wouldn't bother me, OP. Our smallish indy school has gap students and specialists who are not necessarily qualified teachers. If he's employed he should have all the necessary insurance in place but it might be wise to join a union. I would also insist on safe guarding training.

I agree with MollyButton.

I don't know which ones would be appropriate but he should definitely investigate joining a union if he is going to be doing it for any length of time. He could try the teaching unions but I'm not sure of their criteria. I know many members of non teaching/support staff are members of Unison. I would do this urgently simply so he has some support if any issues arise.

I think he should also have done safeguarding training with the current school (each establishment will have their own procedures) - he needs to follow this up too.

I'm all for young people who have a passion teaching students, they often bring something that us old-timers don't!