Can I check the credentials of a teacher ?

[PLux]

My ds's teacher has just changed and I have some concerns with the replacement (very shouty without actual control of the classroom, swigging pepsi in front of the kids all day long, sweating profusely, irritable etc etc). I am due for a meeting with the head teacher, but I was wondering if it is possible for me as a parent to check a teachers' credentials (qualifications, track record etc) ? Thanks in advance

Oh dear, your Dc may have a menopausal teacher.
If you DCs school requires their staff to be qualified they will have done the checks.
Have you observed the teacher or is this just the DCs opinion, they normally hate new teachers for a few weeks.

Utterly pointless. If you find out what their 'credentials' are, how is that going to help you? Do you think you'll be able to track down the credentials but the school somehow failed to do so when employing the teacher? The school knows the teacher's qualifications and clearly considered them acceptable or they wouldn't have given them the job.
I agree though, 'swigging' Pepsi and sweating should be sackable offences

Menopausal, or quite possibly massively hungover on a regular basis.

Either way - if there are real concerns about the standard of teaching or professional behaviour, sure, go & see the Head.

Just don't expect the outcome necessarily to be 'of course, we will sack this person immediately, & from the 100 people who will apply for the post, we will select one you like better.'

Ms or Mr Pepsi Sweats could very easily have been the best available candidate. There's a tiny bit of a recruitment & retention crisis going on.

When I said sweating I meant really sweating... As in HE's dripping sweat onto the children and their work ! So definitely not the menopause !
Their previous teacher didn't seem the need to shout, there are some mischievous boys sure, but nothing beyond the norm. He seems to be shouting excessively... I quote.... "He shouted 9 times for everyone to be quiet then said I can't be bothered". Nothing like that used to happen before.
And 3 bottles of coke this pm alone. Even the kids know it's a bad example to set.
Thanks to everyone for the comments. Guess I just needed to sound it out.

Not being quiet after being asked 9 times is not mischievous, it's rude and naughty.

That sounds like more than some mischievous boys if he asked 9 times.
And the sweating complaint ranks up there as one of the most ridiculous I've ever heard.

Sometimes I drip sweat off my face. Facial hyperhidrosis. I have various solutions and anti-perspirants to put on it, but not much seems to help. Luckily I am mostly only affected when it's fairly hot and humid out, but once it starts, it really starts. It's hugely embarrassing, and I have to constantly have a little towel in some situations to blot my face. It wouldn't detract from my ability to teach, though. I'd probably feel awful enough about it, without someone complaining.

It doesn't seem right for constant Coke drinking to be happening in front of the children, though, and it sounds like classroom management is poor, which might be reasons to have a discussion, sure. But the sweating might well be something that he just cannot control, however much he and everyone else might want him to.

A school can choose to employ a teacher with qualifications unrecognised but the GTC, even state schools that are not academies. It is rare but it can happen. They do not have to be paid on teacher rates.

"he shouted 9 times for everyone to be quiet"

Er- could that be the issue?-

Is the OP in Scotland because there is no GTC in England.

If linkedin and Facebook are sign of qualifications I am fucked as have neither....

I might be on Facebook, but my qualifications are not. I don't know any teachers who are on Linked in.

Ah mrz, my understanding was that there was a GTC and a GTCS (and we needed the S bit to show it was in Scotland). How does it work for teachers then if you don't have a professional body? Potentially we can be struck off their register and then couldn't work in any state school. Is there no rest-of-UK equivalent?

I drink Coke in front of my kids (secondary). Often need the caffeine after being up at night with my toddler. I don't really see the issue- I'm not making them drink it.

I would be asking my DC why the teacher had to ask 9 times rather than the kids being quiet when asked once ....
This has come from your DC - you do know they exaggerate yes? I love hearing what pupils say about staff - the shouting/drinking/eating/on mobile phone etc.... The 'did you know me X and Ms X are together' (after seeing two teachers in a car together visiting a local primary) etc.
Not saying that your DC is telling stories but maybe exaggerating a bit?

Go see the head but please don't moan about the sweating

I have yet to see a healthy eating policy which dictates to me what I may put in my mouth. That would be the final straw!

Umm, OK. I apologize. Think I was upset about the shouting and other issues clouded my vision. Thanks to everyone for putting things in perspective. I'll shut up now.

Wouldn't dream of drinking Pepsi in front of a class, unless I was allowing them to do it too! Water for everyone. Break times are a different matter.

Use had a GTC in England briefly which many teachers disliked. Imagine teacher in danger of being struck off would seek union support as they did prior to GTC/GTCS being formed.
Currently talk of a College of Teaching but opinions split.
Teachers are awarded QTS and a teacher number which is recorded centrally as proof of qualification.

Cocaine causes profuse sweating.

Have a word with Head if concerned.
Are you worried teacher not coping or unwell?
Have you seen him with the pepsi?
I think 'open' pepsi drinking at our primary from teachers would be frowned upon...
Perhaps he should swig it in a cupboard!!!

So does being hot

Cocaine causes profuse sweating.

What a vacuous post!

It's also a symptom of diabetes which could explain the need for sugary drinks and irritability Out2 but we really dont want to jump to wrong conclusions do we!

You cannot complain about a teacher sweating! Poor bloke could have an illness that causes him to sweat it just be a very sweaty person. needed here!

As for the Coke, I agree with mrsz, he may have diabetes or have low blood sugars for whatever reason and NEED to drink it. I remember having s teacher who ate digestive biscuits in class because of diabetes. Again, I don't see this as any of your business.

As for the shouting. Were you actually in the room? Unless you were it could be your child is not reflecting the true picture if how often this happens.