Would you be happy with a job sharing form teacher?

[Chartsandgraphs]

DC are at an independent school and for next year they will have a split form teacher. I'm not happy at all as I don't think it's actually in the kids best interest. I'd be interested to hear other views.

My son has 2 teachers - one is a more mature, academic, experienced calm and studious person, the other is a younger, flamboyant, musical, artistic person, and they play off each other very well. My son loves both of them. One has nurtured his love of maths, the other his love of rock guitar. They communicate well but that is to be expected.

If you are concerned that the teachers your child will have do not communicate well, the problem is much bigger than will they make good form teachers in a job share. The school should be addressing this. And if you don’t like it, then you could of course either take your money elsewhere or insist that the school your child is at give you exactly what you want since you are paying for it and expect a tailored-to-you service. Neither of those options will garner you sympathy though in a population where 93% of children go to a state school and get what they are given. You asked a general question asking what people’s views are and you can’t complain too much when people give views that don’t support your own.

My DD1 has a job share. It’s pretty usual now. If really helps excellent teachers stay employed. One half of my DDs old job share became a head and turned round a school into a great one. We, at the time, were pleased to have both the teachers and this one was truly outstanding. Getting rid of excellent staff is stupid. Schools now try and accommodate them.

Where I was a governor, we had job share deputy heads and I know a job share headship too. As long as the staff act professionally and hand over effectively it’s a no brainer if both teachers are good.

I had this in reception/Y1 & it was brilliant the only bad thing is that we wished that we could have had both teachers in at the same time as they were lovely.
The fact that I can remember this over 40 yrs later & remember both teachers names must show it can work very well if you have the right fit with job sharing teachers.

In any decent school, the teachers should be appraised regarding how effective they are. You should expect professionalism from both teachers. Any school with a curriculum that cannot be shared with parents is a failing school. Job share isn’t to blame for that! Job share isn’t an easy option but if the school has high expectations and demonstrably believes in quality first teaching, I don’t see any real drawbacks.

I'd be happy with it. DS has had jobshare classes before and it has worked really well. Often each teacher has their own particular strengths so you get double the strengths ime. I also suspect that you get a little bit extra from both of them that you wouldn't get with one (potentially more tired and overworked) teacher.

It works well. The children aren't bothered by it and it works to their advantage - their teachers are happy and enthusiastic and rested.
Also teachers are in very short supply nowadays. It's not really a job many people want to do anymore. We need to look after the ones we have. Many of them have young families and part time work needed.