How many male reception teachers do we know?

[PeterParkerSays]

DS starts school in September and, as the current Reception teacher is leaving, they've recruited a new Reception teacher for DS' class. He came into school for the first time yesterday, for a play session with the September intake.

He's a NQT, mid-30s, so presumably had another career first, and he's a bloke. I'm not turning this into an "ooh, men can't care for little ones" thing because that's bollocks or a "rah, rah we've got a male primary teacher" thing - I just want a decent teacher for DS' class, whoever they are.

A group of mums were chatting last night though and none of us could remember another male Reception teacher, even when we were in Infants ourselves. I wondered, with male teachers being in the minority in Primary schools, does anyone else know of a male Reception teacher, just out of interest more than anything?

[xylem8]

Lots of male teachers but only known 2 in infants.One a Y1/2 teacher and the other a Y2 teacher.

[singaporeswing]

My DDad is a (soon to be retired) primary school head and had all sorts of problems in the 80s as a male primary school teacher. He has been awarded as one of the country's best teachers, so don't think it bothers him too much!

I'm surrounded by male primary school teachers in my life, I know perhaps 15 current and 8 training to be/NQTs.

[gegs73]

DS had a male Reception teacher last year. They all loved him!

[Runoutofideas]

We are lucky to have one in reception, one in yr 1, one in yr 3 and 1 in yr 4 - 3 form entry school. All are very popular with the children and parents.

[PoppyWearer]

I know of none.

At those of you with some. DD used to have a male nursery worker and he was brilliant, the kids all adored him.

[BarbarianMum]

There is one at Dcs' school (plus 2 female reception teachers). All the children desperately want to be in his class.

All the other school years have at least 1 male teacher as well, but none of them get the adulation of Mr W.

[tourdefrance]

Only male teaches at ds's school is the head unfortunately. I visited 3 schools and only the largest 3 class intake had any male teachers othe than the head. I can't remember any at my first school but my middle school had several and was in the paper a few years ago as an example of a school with lots of men, it was self perpetuating apparently. Male teachers wanted to work there.

[Threewindmills]

2 male teachers in infants in our (tiny) school

[ShadeofViolet]

We have a male TA in reception in our school, then male teachers in y4, y5 and y6 (one in each year). The head is male and is leaving to be replaced by another male.

[CaterpillarCara]

I would say my children's school is 50/50 men to women. I think there are men teaching or assisting in all year groups, though maybe not the nursery? Don't know, as my kids are older and you can't see the nursery to see who is in there!

[MaisyMoo123]

DS will be starting reception in September with a male teacher. He taught my daughter in reception too and he is brilliant. Certainly very caring, fun, inspiring...and so dedicated. He's an incredibly popular member of staff and all the children adore him - DS has been excited about being in his class since he understood he'd be starting school!

[Ferguson]

Hi - retired male TA here -

After being a parent helper in my DS school, one day a week for 5 years, I applied for TA jobs, as it was much more fun than office work! Was ten years in a different infant school, and the Reception teacher there was a brilliant male teacher. He went on to become a very successful Head Teacher, in at least two other schools.

(I was chosen as a TA partly as a male role model because so many kids had no father at home - "Dad dumped us"; "Dad's in prison again.")

[Minetired]

DC's school have 2 male teachers, 1TA in the infants, & 6 male teachers inc the head and deputy in the juniors.
The kids love them, and are desperate to be in their classes.
My friends sons go to an all female teaching staff school, and has said that she they have lost out with no other male influence other than their Dad.
I hope your DS settle well in reception.

[prettydaisies]

We are a 2 form entry school. 1 year, not this, both the reception teachers were male. It caused quite a talking point at the local playgroups!

[thegreylady]

I have known only one male Reception teacher and he was one of the best ever in terms of relating to the children.

[Fuzzymum1]

At our local primary there has been one male teacher in the last 15 years and e was only there for a few years - we had a very large year group a few years ago (typical intake is 10-15 per year, this year group was 29 so they went up to 5 classes for a few years. When they'd moved through the school he took voluntary redundancy as we didn't have enough children to maintain 5 classes. We briefly had a dinner man male midday supervisor who the children adored.

[ReadytoOrderSir]

Of the 5 primaries that I know well...
One school has its sole male teacher in year 6.
One has no male staff at all.
One has a male non-teaching Head.
One has male deputy head (teaching yr5) and male non-teaching Head.
One has male teacher in yr 1 and a male TA.

Of the 30 or so I knew well as trainee primary teachers there were 6 men. Two dropped out during the course.
One decided to not go into teaching.
Two are teaching year 4.
One is teaching year 1.

Male reception teachers = hen's teeth!

[Jinsei]

None in reception at our school but we have a fab male teacher in year 1. The kids and parents all adore him!

[Jinsei]

Oh, and we have four male teachers in total, not sure about TAs.

[olibeansmummy]

I know 1, he's fab. Men make very good teachers IME, it's a shame there aren't more of them.

From a members if staff's point of view, male teachers/ TAs also change the dynamics in the staff room for the better too...

[Sopster]

Our school has 2, one in yr 2 and one in yr5. They arr both v popular. Husband desparately wants to retrain as primary sch teacher but we just can't afford for him to do it right now.

[ReginaPhilangie]

There was a male reception teacher in my dds' school. He was a bloody good teacher and great with the kids. My dd1 adored him when he was in reception. Unfortunately he died in a boating accident last year. The whole school was devastated, everybody loved him.

[smee]

50% of teachers in our primary are male - two class entry, inner city school. One of the reception teachers is male. DS now in yr 4 and he's had 3 male class teachers, all really good.

[notcitrus]

According to the board in the reception area, ds's school will have about 100 staff, including lunch supervisors, TAs etc.

5 are male, inc head, PE teacher, and 2 KS2 teachers and a caretaker.

Nephew age 16 wants to teach primary though, if his football career doesn't take off.

[NanaNina]

One of my sons is a primary school teacher and usually has Yrs 3 or 4, but Yr 5 in September. I do wonder though PPS quite why you asked this question. I wonder if you are in fact worried that the male teacher won't be as good or as nurturing as a female teacher. The capacity to be a good teacher and nurture young minds is not dependent upon gender believe me. OK so the new teacher is an NQT so he will probably find it tough going at first. We all have to learn our trade, and many of us have had to "learn on the job" as this is the only way really, especially in a job like teaching, and most of the other public services.

I am also wondering if you are anxious about your son starting reception and I can understand this to some extent, but I would advise you to try not to pass on any anxiety to your son. His school days will cover many years and of course there will be times when you are concerned about this that or the other, but don't let the worries start before he gets anywhere near the school.