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Original poster

Parents- and particularly private school parents...

65 replies

BertrandRussell · 20/06/2019 15:11

.....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!

OP posts:
AlaskanOilBaron · 23/06/2019 12:57

With practical exercises, I’d have thought drama was a topic where boundaries can easily be blurred....

That's a weird way of looking at it.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 23/06/2019 13:02

“It’s interesting that so many people seem to be Ok with this because it’s drama and not math or physics”
Yes- I was a bit Hmm about this for lots of reasons. It is a subject where boundaries can easily be blurred- and (say it as I shouldn’t) ds is good looking and charming and in the very small local drama puddle quite a big fish. He’s mature for his age and aware from other contexts of “crushes” ( or whatever they are called nowadays) but the school don’t know that. Also, drama quite often brings up issues that might need careful handling. And last but not least- it may be “only drama”- but it’s still a GCSE subject. I wanted my children to do S well as possible in all their subjects, not just the “important” ones.

OP posts:
SilentSister · 24/06/2019 11:43

it may be “only drama”- but it’s still a GCSE subject. I wanted my children to do S well as possible in all their subjects, not just the “important” ones

Well yes, of course. But you have to accept that most DC's will be opting for Drama GCSE as their "fun" non-academic subject. Of course it is lovely if they do well in it, but it is not the end of the world if they don't! And again, in Year 7 and 8, they are not doing their GCSE so to have a unqualified teacher is not an issue at all. At that stage it is all about exploring and foundation skills, not the in-depth analysis and performance required at GCSE.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 25/06/2019 06:09

“Of course it is lovely if they do well in it, but it is not the end of the world if they don't”
I think that’s a really sad way of thinking.

OP posts:
NataliaOsipova · 25/06/2019 08:57

I think that’s a really sad way of thinking.

It’s just pragmatic, surely? Drama really appeals to some kids, which is great. PE really appeals to some kids - also great. Ditto Textiles, Music etc. All these things are rightly included on the early secondary school curriculum and it’s great that kids get a chance to try them. But they’re not everyone’s cup of tea and they are nice “extras”. Drama not your thing? Not a problem if you don’t choose to do a GCSE. Maths not your thing? Much more of a problem because you need a decent GCSE for university matriculation for almost any subject and most jobs.

Shimy · 25/06/2019 09:06

Our old prep school used to do this all the time. Lots of gap yr students recently left school. No one would bat an eyelid. They young teachers were a great hit with the kids.

BasiliskStare · 26/06/2019 02:02

@Bertrandrussell - as an ( well now ex - Ds has graduated ) I would not be the slightest bit bothered as long as he was good. Ds's head of subject for what he went on to university for did not have a PGCE qualification. Now - some may say that is bad , the school was good and so was this man - they had lots of PhDs teaching . Not quite the same but not "qualified" in the sense a state school would ask for

If your son can teach drama - well very very good. A friend of mine has a DC who is not very academic in the sense of Maths or English - she can get by. What she is enthused about and good at is Art and Textiles . She will do well.

I got a first in a straight down the line academic subject from a very good university , my husband was very academic also - between us I reckon we haven't earned a fraction of what e.g. Cath Kidston has. By which I do not mean how much money you earn is the only criteria - but not being super duper at e.g. maths or english is not necessarily the worst thing in the world. ( But passing GCSE is important)

I would say it sounds fine @Bertrandrussell & from what others have said - much more important to make sure he is covered for himself than what parents will think. I suspect they will make views known if they feel they need to.

Sounds great & I wish him well - how lovely if he inspires a few folk.

Mehmum · 28/06/2019 07:01

Thanks for the heads up OP. I am an ISI inspector and will give this issue the attention it deserves.

Thank you. It’s diligent people like you who make our job a lot easier 🙏

SilentSister · 28/06/2019 11:00

Thanks for the heads up OP. I am an ISI inspector and will give this issue the attention it deserves

Then you know as well as we do, that this is common in private schools, and no-one cares, so it doesn't need your attention !

sashh · 28/06/2019 11:06

I thought this was fairly standard at private schools.

I seem to remember a couple of royals have done some 'teaching'.

A quick google tells me Prince Edward did some 'teaching' and the Duchess of Kent teaches music.

Bertrand

I wish your son luck with his duties as an undercover agent.

PinguDance · 28/06/2019 11:08

Tbf TAs don’t get ‘training’ necessarily so there’s not a lot of difference there.

Dapplegrey · 29/06/2019 20:41

Thanks for the heads up OP. I am an ISI inspector and will give this issue the attention it deserves

Mehmum what sort of attention will you be giving this issue?

missyB1 · 29/06/2019 20:52

Absolutely standard at ds prep school. Gappers teach mainly sport but also help run the boarding houses. The kids love them. But they all do their safeguarding training before commencing any duties.

AppleKatie · 29/06/2019 20:54

As if random ISI inspectors give a shit about this sort of thing! The last time we had them in they saw the head of English and the head of Drama together and didn’t even open the drama paperwork. I know this because he was outraged afterwards 😂

The fact is Bertrand that teachers in independent schools do not require qualifications provided the school is happy with the job they are doing. Most teachers are qualified in practice but amongst TAs It is not uncommon for them to be unqualified.

What he’s doing seems within the bounds of normal and if he’s happy then great. Independents are generally very good at looking after their own so I wouldn’t worry about complaints.

He should have had safeguarding training- is he there in September? He will almost certainly get it then if he hasn’t already.
He will be insured and that is not his problem to worry about.
He should definitely join a union the NEU (formally ATL) will take him on a cheaper rate given his job title and are the biggest union for independent schools.

Most importantly tell him to watch out for the private school stone that everyone puts on in their first term 🤣

ladygracie · 04/07/2019 22:13

I wonder if the poster who is an ISI inspector was referring to the lack of safeguarding training as that is something they are, quite rightly, very hot on.

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