newly trained teacher

[Yogurthoney]

Just found out that DD1's class (will be yr 4 in Sep) has been given a teacher who just got qualified to teach through the School Direct Training Program. I am not quite convinced that she is able to teach. In my understanding people who join the program only need to be trained for one year before taking a teaching post? rather than a proper PGSE or teaching degree? Correct me if I am wrong, I think they need to be supervised to teach at least for their first year's teaching, especially yr4 is very important in Key Stage 2. The school has just been downgraded from Good to require improvement, and the main issue in the Ofsted report is the poor teaching in lower key stage 2. Should I raise it to the headteacher, if so how?

I think the Head probably knows

I don't altogether understand what the problem is. Presumably, the head is well aware of the teacher's qualifications and also the school's Ofsted rating. While you might prefer a teacher who had come to teaching by a different route, the head clearly doesn't and presumably the head knows a bit more about teaching than you do?

Are you aware that a PGCE is also a one year course? Perhaps you could suggest to the head that the NQT is moved to another class so that your child is not affected.

If the school has been downgraded to requires improvement then it's highly unlikely that the headteacher has hired someone who is not more than capable to help then to receive good in their next inspection. I also think it's highly unlikely that the head will think kindly of you questioning his ability to hire the correct teacher for the requirements of the school. A newly qualified teacher who completes through the traditional route of PGCE only has 1 years experience before teaching full time too, however they are then closely monitored and supported. You will no doubt find this teacher eager and full of fresh ideas. I recommend you give the teacher a chance before writing them off before they have even stepped foot inside the classroom.

Some of the best teachers both my children have had have been newly qualified

They are really enthusiastic, ready to learn from the pupils rather than thinking they know it all and are aware of the most up to date teaching methods

PGCE students only have one year in training too btw

A PGCE is only a year too. The only newly qualified teachers who would have more experience than this would be primary school teachers who had completed a BEd where they would have had much more time in the classroom. With School Direct, the trainee teacher goes straight into a school, and whilst this programme has attracted its fair share of criticism, the graduates on it do start at the sharp end of teaching. Look at it this way - the new teacher will have up to date knowledge on current educational practices and will probably be really keen to make a mark. It will be fine.

Eviltwins, I know that PGSE is one year only, but it is proper study, but this program is that while you are working in the school and get paid, at the end of program, you get to teach!

As a newly qualified teacher, she will have a named mentor in the school, and will be observed regularly and given constructive feedback and support, as well as time to observe more experienced teachers and to attend training. She will have to fulfil set standards and meet targets, which will be rigorously scrutinised through pupil progress meetings.

PGCE students only train for a year by the way.

I really want to add something sarcastic about not judging people by what you see written or hear about them. It must be lovely to be you, so perfect a parent, condemning a teacher new to the profession before she's even started.

FWIW my son has had an NQT this year and has done far better with her than he did with his previous experienced teacher.

But if you feel that strongly about it - go and talk to the head. Take time out of her working day that could be better spent dealing with the issues identified in the inspection, or working with actual children. I'm sure the head will be thrilled to hear your oh so informed opinions about teacher training and appointments that she has made - presumably to help raise standards.

I hope the rest of the parents in your dds cohort are more receptive to what could be a really positive thing for the school.

I am not quite convinced that she is able to teach
How could you possibly know this?

Why do you believe that "proper study" leads to a better teacher than hands on experience? I learned next to nothing on my PGCE - everything that's made me into a good teacher has been learned by slogging on year after year in the job.

I think there would be nothing worse than a teacher who had been teaching for many years, who has lost all interest and enthusiasm for the job, and who just goes in each day to get paid and comes home again. Obviously, there will be a LOT of experienced teachers who are NOT like that, but there are some teachers who will be like that (as in any job). I think that you can get excellent NQT's, and poor experienced teachers. So I wouldn't worry about the NQT aspect. I'd just hope that it means enthusiasm and a desire to succeed.

Many School Direct courses also lead to a PGCE. How would you know that this isn't the case?

School Direct trained teachers have "proper study" too, they just have to work in a school at the same time. Doing two different things simultaneously is excellent training for future teaching posts!! ( I currently have a SD trainee with me, who is by far the best traineee teacher I have ever had!!)

Yogurthoney

Do you realise that PGCE students spend the majority of the year teaching too?

I really wouldn't worry, the senior leadership team will be all over the teacher both as part of her training and in response to ofsted

They would have had to have taught in order to get the job, so one must assume they can teach after all! This sort of nonsense makes my blood boil. I qualified through the old GTP route and gained far more teaching experience than your preferred PGCE. I think you should tell the headteacher your thoughts, I'm sure they will love to hear them!!

It wasn't that long ago that you only needed a degree to teach. Most people in their thirties or forties (so most parents) will have been taught by 'unqualified' teachers. I am betting most people wouldn't be able to spot which ones had done a PGCE or B Ed and which hadn't. I'm also guessing that anyone who goes this route has good grounds for thinking that they will be able to teach effectively.

Perhaps the OP should go and work for Gove? She could share her wisdom on newly qualified teachers with him & they could then draw up some more time consuming hoops for NQTs to jump through.

Seriously OP, reading ill informed opinions like yours makes me despair for the state of education in this country.

The HT will have interviews the teacher, seen her teach no doubt as part of the selection process, seen her references, etc.

As with all NQTs the teacher will have a named mentor in school and will ave a full day of PPA. They will be monitored, observed and more.

It is the HTs role to judge who is an dd isn't qualified to teach in their school, not a parent, especially not a parent who hasn't actually seen the teacher in action yet.

All NQTs need to start teaching at some point.

I've heard of these PPA days, is that time out of the classroom?

Correct me if I am wrong, I think they need to be supervised to teach at least for their first year's teaching, especially yr4 is very important in Key Stage 2.

All NQTs have a mentor in their first year, regardless of their initial training route. If she's done School Direct, then she's most likely already been in charge of a class for longer than most PGCE students get the opportunity to.
Also,...Year 4 is quite a nice year for an NQT to start in. The kids are usually still quite easily excitable and there's not an awful lot of pressure regarding results beyond the normal 2-3 sublevels progress, lots of opportunities to try out things and get creative. I'm surprised that you feel Y4 to be "very important" in Key Stage 2. At all of the schools I've been at so far, Y3 was the year with a little dip, where you needed to get them to grow up and be more ready for KS2, Y4 was for consolidation and balancing out things, Year 5 and 6 was when the pressure kicked in. We'll be having an NQT teaching Y4 next year and I wouldn't consider that to be an issue. Surely the headteacher wouldn't have employed her, if she weren't up to the job. With so many potential candidates for each position, headteachers usually get to pick the best ones for their school.

DS1 is in P2 and has had a fantastic teacher this year, she is an NQT. He is a quirky wee boy and she gets him completely. She was a scientist before and has really inspired him in this area.

Ppa is planning and prep timeout of class.
All teachers have it - 10% of teaching time iirr. NQTs have more

PPA = Planning, Prep and Assessment - 10% of a teacher's teaching timetable.

NQTs can be the most enthusiastic, hard working teachers in a school. Everybody has to start somewhere.

My ds had a 2nd year teacher for Reception and an Graduate Teacher working alongside the Assistant Head for Year 1. Yes, I would like ds to have a consistent, experienced teacher for next year for the sake of balance. But, his GTP teacher has worked her socks off.

OP, give this new teacher a decent chance before you make your judgements. Please try to keep an open mind or risk becoming "that parent".

My son had a newly qualified teacher this year for Y5. She is absolutely brilliant, full of ideas, loads of energy, tries really hard, young outlook and really related to the kids, all round keen as mustard, she's been great. She recently got signed off from her rookie status and was immediately given a contract ongoing. Just found out she is going to be teaching Y6 so we have her again. I am delighted.

That teacher is coming, so if I was you I would get right behind them and give 100% support.

Why don't you quickly do the course, its "only a year!" Then you can see how easy it is and prove us all wrong. As I say to everyone who criticises teachers.....if you can't beat us, join us!