More male teachers - doesn't that mean fewer females?

[mids2019]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/apr/03/bridget-phillipson-education-secretary-more-male-teachers-adolescence

I don't think this was a considered statement as in world where women have had to fight hard for representation in professions it is is grange for a cabinet Secretary to advocate for more men in a professiion. We certainly wouldn't see the health Secretary advocate for male doctors in a profession historically dominated by men at least until the last few decades.

I don't think teachers are there primarily to be role models but educators. The sex of the teacher should make no difference only their overall ability to the job. To somehow suggest a male has more authority or respect from male pupils surely is just veiled sexism?

I don't personally agree......

Actively recruiting from a demographic significantly more likely to commit sexual assault would be a safeguarding issue I believe, would you not. You didn't answer my question though. You seem to be saying men can't commit CSA because of CCTV, so it's all fine. Not that there is is not an increased risk. I'm not sure how that benefits anyone, least of all children.

Your comments are so offensive.

If it could be proven that male teaching role models decreased sexual abuse from peers that's the only thing that could convince me. I don't think it's likely to be the case though, many of us had male teachers growing up who made inappropriate comments, sexist and sexual. I remember several that and was when we had more male teachers in secondary schools, I don't think they would have improved the situation. Or do we just think that's stopped now and the current bunch would be less likely to be as sexist? I'm 40, so not ancient!😂

Facts are not offensive. Ignoring sexual assault and who the perpetrators are is offensive.

I'll leave the thread because I can't stand how fucking dismissive people are. Real sexism is just what affects men apparently. We can't wait for men to sort themselves out, we just need to sacrifice safety of children so they can be equal.

Actively recruiting from a demographic significantly more likely to commit sexual assault would be a safeguarding issue I believe, would you not. You didn't answer my question though. You seem to be saying men can't commit CSA because of CCTV, so it's all fine. Not that there is is not an increased risk. I'm not sure how that benefits anyone, least of all children.

I've not said that at all. But you seen to be saying men shouldn't be teachers.....

I'm asking what additional safeguarding do you think schools need to employ?
There are huge benefits to having a teaching body which is representative of the student body. Safeguarding is taken very seriously in schools and during training.
What do you think is missing?

I'm 40, so not ancient!
I'm the same age as you. Schools are VERY different and safeguarding polices and procedures are more robust.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen but girls are far more at risk form their peers than teachers ad good male role models will help with this.

So are you suggesting that men want to train to become teachers so they can abuse kids in a school?

Assuming the same standards of safeguarding were maintained, I don't see why incoming male teachers would be more of a danger than existing male teachers. If you're concerned about existing safeguarding procedures, then that's a different conversation.

I suppose you are correct in saying that risk is not zero. Maybe we should get rid of all male teachers, to be on the safe side.

But then again, the risk from female teachers also isn't zero, so maybe we should get rid of them as well and children should stay home with their parents.

But then again, the risk from parents is certainly not zero (probably this is statistically the greatest risk? I don't know the data) so probably we should keep kids in zoos. There are zero recorded cases of CSA where lions have been the perpetrators.

You have effectively said my OH went into teaching to abuse children because that’s what men do, That’s why your comments are offensive.

Ps @OneTwinklySnaiI I'm 43. The whole atmosphere and culture in school today is a world away from what it was like 20-25 years ago. That low-level inappropriateness (from teachers at least) honestly is not tolerated any more.

Wow I have never heard of this. Are there any degrees where being female means you can pay less?

Historically, there absolutely were men who would see teaching as a profession that gave them easy access to children. See also The Church.

This is precisely why we now have such robust safeguarding procedures (well, schools do. The church, not so much). And why, as teachers, we certainly don't say things like "the men who want to be teachers aren't the bad ones". We treat EVERYONE involved with children with equal suspicion, and have policies and procedures to keep the young people in our care as safe as possible.

Interestingly, two of the universities he applied to offer discounts to male students studying the education/QTS degree.
I'd be really interested in knowing where this is happening! I suspect it is a scholarship which is also linked to subject areas but i could be wrong!

Yes, lots:

https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/scholarships-women-stem-subjects/

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-funding/scholarships/women-in-science-bursary/

https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/study/fees-and-finance/bursaries-and-scholarships/women-in-stem

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/nmes/women-in-science/scholarships

https://www.amazonfutureengineer.co.uk/bursary#AboutAFEUKBursary

That's insane. So you actually think that no men should be allowed to work with children AT ALL? No male teachers, no male medical professionals, no more male nursery staff?

Exactly, treat everyone involved with children the same. I can remember a few stories recently in the news of female nursery workers being found guilty of abusing children. Granted I think there was a male partner involved somewhere but it was the women carrying out and filming the abuse.

That’s why I said men “tend to”, not all men and not all women but more women than men fail to prioritise their financial wellbeing when deciding on jobs.

I have always prioritised my earnings above everything else, as financial independence is my top motivator. I earn 3 x what DH does, and would never be a teacher partly due to low pay (plus I think I’d be rubbish at it).

I know you said they can get role models elsewhere, but a lot of kids don’t have other role models. A lot of kids don’t do extra curricular clubs. Some kids don’t see their dad. So for some boys a male teacher would be the only (positive) male role model they have.

This in spades. It made an enormous difference to my ds when his school went from 100% female to bringing in some male staff. The men are a tiny minority that makes a disproportionate difference to the level of engagement from the boys.

@ThatRosieProbert Very few grads can earn 4 x £31,600 in their mid 20s. That’s over £120,000 a year so that’s a big job in London with probably 5 weeks holiday and very long hours. No one earns this on a 9-5 day. No one. Of course you might be part time - that’s a different calculation and then there’s your generous pension.

Poor you for seeing a negative in everything. I feel for you.

I think this is a good thing, I’ve worked in several male dominated jobs and I’ve got them because of a push to get more women into the roles, with mentorship, schemes and what not.
none of them were particularly important to society or well paid etc but it was seen as a good thing to get a good mix in, teachers are so important to society and male teachers are often that important role model to boys, whether they like it or not they’re role models, long lasting impacts in ways, and having a good mix of society in teaching is good for society as a whole.

My Junior School in Kent ( early 70s) had 3 male teachers and male HT. My son has just finished Junior school in Cornwall and had 3 male teachers out of 4. His school was roughly half male, half female teachers. Some of the men were sporty, but others had musical talents or favoured English/ literature. My cynical friend said that male teachers don't require or request maternity leave, so the HT had made practical as well as role model choices.

My highest teaching salary was £52k and my DD is earning 4 x that in a traditionally male-dominated industry, working long hours. Yes, very few grads in their mid-20s earn this but there are obviously exceptions.

would it be fair to expect the government to consider the extra safe guarding risks in increasing male staff?

What extra safeguarding measures should be considered?