Would Prep School using Christian names for staff put you off?

[icancount]

I've just heard that the school DC went to years ago has stopped doing this after 60+ years. We didn't think anything of it at the time, just what the school did. Never caused any problems, and it was part of the school's history of how it was formed.

Apparently the school have decided that it puts parents off choosing the school. It has an excellent reputation locally.
What do you think? Would it put you off? I think it's a bit of a shame to change the history of the school personally. But hey-ho.

Yes. I think a teacher should be referred to as 'Title' and 'Surname'.

Personally, I think there needs to be a professional boundary and respect level in place.

My 'norm' is the opposite to yours; nothing wrong with that! but I came from a school where you addressed men as 'Sir' too.

I agree using title and surname creates a professional boundary which is important. The teacher isn’t a family friend, they have an important role to play in a child’s life. I look at it in the same way I do doctors, where I wouldn’t use a first name unless invited to do so.

As a teacher, I wouldn’t choose to work somewhere I had to be called by my first name. I think the boundary is important with the children, but also with the parents. The parents who called me by my first name were always the ones trying to overstep boundaries.

I’ve never consider it, as one child’s independent they use first names and the other they use “Miss” or “Sir”

I’d assume the school was a bit wishy washy and “aren’t we interesting and unique”.

Yes it would.

Nope. DC attended a school where staff were first name only. I loved it. It made the children feel like they were in a more supportive environment.

It wouldn't bother me at all. I like a more egalitarian ethos. I wouldn't suppose it had any impact on academic or behavioural standards.

No I would much prefer it. I think calling teachers miss/ sir is really strange

Interesting. The school is academically selective and is the prep school to a major senior school. Definitely not a wishy washy school.
When we joined years ago, we didn't even know they used christian names. We were just pleased to get a place. DC and seemingly all his friends certainly did well there and settled well into their senior schools.

We grew to love the friendly feeling at the school, as did DC.
When I found out yesterday, I have to admit that I was a bit sad that a bit of history and uniqueness was being lost. But I suppose if it does put people off, then it's for the best.

The only school I know of that does that is King Alfred's and it has a reputation as being for the kids of the rich and famous, who will never need to earn their living. The behaviour of the kids in a group isn't good.

Yes it would put off at primary age. I don't mind for 6th form but below that I agree with PPs that Mr/Ms X sets an expectation of the relationship and behaviour. I also think it's a bit performative and I would perhaps be a bit concerned about what sort of parents it attracts.

My children attended a schol abroad. Teachers known by first names. Made no difference. At all.

It would put me right off.

Well I wouldn't call a first name a Christian name. I'm pretty sure that could be offensive to people who aren't Christian? But no. I think I'd like it.

I once taught in a primary school in France where teachers' Christian names were used.

It wouldn't put me off, but the UK is getting increasingly uptight about inconsequential things (probably driven by increased worry about consequential things!), so I understand why they've made the change.

KA isn’t the only school. Most of the progressive schools do this it’s fairly common in the independent sector.
i grew up in the progressive schools movement and I loved it.
i have a distinct profession - I can sign passports etc etc and we are known as our first name. Of course it wouldn’t put me off.

As an ex-teacher, I wouldn't have minded, as my first name is much more common than my surname (and, therefore, older pupils would have been less likely to locate me online).

I work at a college. All staff, even the Head, are addressed by their first names. It makes no difference to teaching standards.

Yes, it absolutely would. Children need to understand respect and authority in my opinion. Society relies on these greatly.

First name, surely. Not Christian name.

My dc went to a primary where first names were used for teachers. It’s an excellent school with high standards and no issues whatsoever regarding respect and boundaries between teachers and pupils or teachers and parents. The only difference I would have noticed between it and the local schools with the more traditional approach would be that our school had a more caring atmosphere and ethos.

Respect for authenticity does not automatically follow from the use of titles. Respect comes from the ethos, management and the school community regardless of what people are called.

It would depend on the overall ethos.
When the DC were at state primary it was Miss/Mr for everyone.

When they moved to independents teachers were Mr/Miss/Mrs to the children. First names to parents. I found the more we paid, the friendlier it got.

DD teaches at an indy and is Miss Helly ( a shortened version of our last name because it's so unusual and complicated and she doesn't want to be found on SM). To parents, she always says "it's Rose Helly" and starts off calling them Mr/Mrs etc.

I went to a prep school in the eighties/nineties where we called all teachers by their first names. I don’t think it’s that unusual and it definitely wouldn’t put me off.

Prep school is for 9 to 13, so pre-teenagers. I think that's too young for the informality of using first names with people in authority. I'm old now and trying vainly even to imagine calling any of the excellent teachers I had at primary and secondary by their first names, likewise my university teachers.