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Secondary education

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Original poster

New recruit teacher is inadequate

459 replies

BoboChic · 15/09/2015 06:41

This, basically. DD in Y7 started secondary school 2 weeks ago. One - and only one - of her teachers is totally inadequate. He is a new recruit. Parents and pupils have noticed pretty quickly that he doesn't have the first inkling of the subject he is supposed to be teaching. One approach has already been made to the school to alert them. What are the best words to use to describe this situation? Inadequate? Lacking subject knowledge?

OP posts:
MumTryingHerBest · 16/09/2015 07:40

ThumbWitchesAbroad I would have addressed an issue with the quality of teaching based on the examples OP gave (spelling colours wrong). I would also have gone in quite early with those examples too.

The curriculum issue I would say nothing, I'm not qualified to understand why the initial curriculum is flawed, let alone be able to recommend another one. If I felt it might be preventing the school from recruiting it is possible I would mention the fact but I certainly wouldn't expect to get very far with it (with or without jargon).

The point I can't quite get my head around is how the Head has so little credibility in their professional competence that a parent carries more weight in getting the school curriculum changed.

rollonthesummer · 16/09/2015 08:00

The point I can't quite get my head around is how the Head has so little credibility in their professional competence that a parent carries more weight in getting the school curriculum changed

Exactly. Also, what now happens if another parent goes in and says, 'hey Mr Headteacher, I really love the curriculum you do in this school-
it's brilliant!'

Does the head now NOT change the curriculum? Or does our OP have more sway than any of the other parents in such important matters because she's such a special snowflake?

SheGotAllDaMoves · 16/09/2015 08:10

But if OP is correct and the choice of curriculum is hampering recruitment and a change to another would be painless and a solution to the recruitment issue, then isn't that a no brainer?

BitOfFun · 16/09/2015 08:15

French employment law, this has to be dealt with quickly, so no point waiting to see if it improves on its own.

Yeah, so she can get the fella sacked within his probationary period. Desirable to the OP perhaps, but repugnant, and by no means essential to finding a solution.

SheGotAllDaMoves · 16/09/2015 08:17

But why should a school spend part of its budget on a teacher who doesn't know the basics?

That's not on for any school, surely?

pickledsiblings · 16/09/2015 08:48

Frankly I'm surprised that you weren't already aware of this flaw bobo given the amount of research you engage in (as do many of us) when it comes to choosing schools.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes the situation to improve and in the meantime, what has the head proposed for rectifying the immediate situation?

SheGotAllDaMoves · 16/09/2015 08:54

That would be my concern pickled.

School time is glacial. Even when they finally change their minds on something, it has to be approved by this one, then that one. Then new resources bought which has to be approved by this one, then that one...

In the meantime, pupils are stuck in a rubbish situation Angry.

Shutthatdoor · 16/09/2015 09:09

Frankly I'm surprised that you weren't already aware of this flaw bobo given the amount of research you engage in (as do many of us) when it comes to choosing schools

Especially as they have just gone there Wink

guineapigpie · 16/09/2015 09:29

It all goes back to the fact that whilst the subject is on the curriculum, it has to be taught, but nobody wants to teach it. OP is not actually able to fix that; unless, of course, the OP wants the job. So, rather than have to go to the effort of looking for a replacement teacher or supporting and supervising the current teacher better, the HT has suggested the OP lobby for a whole change in approach - across five schools. Grin I think the OP needs to get into contact with parents from all five schools and find out if they do all have the same problem... should keep the OP busy for quite some time! In the meantime, her dd will continue to get inappropriate and poorly marked homework and the teacher concerned will, apparently, not receive any support or supervision to help improve the situation. Sounds like the mother of all fob offs to me! One wonders what the HT is actually paid to do: apparently, not to be involved in choosing the teachers, not to have any say in the way the curriculum is interpreted, not to provide supervision and support for new staff...

guineapigpie · 16/09/2015 09:30

... probably not to have much say in finance, either... maybe the HT is also disenchanted at their lack of influence. OP might be looking for a new HT soon, too!

guineapigpie · 16/09/2015 09:40

Although in this case, I don't think the OP would actually like a strong, effective and resourceful HT, as then the OP would have less influence over the curriculum (which the OP apparently had a massive influence on 5 years ago, too - alas, she didn't notice these flaws, then...).

longtimelurker101 · 16/09/2015 10:16

"the idea that he who pays the piper calls the tune is respected."

Maybe in some private schools Math, in many others you would be given short shrift if you came in saying you want XYZ changed because you disagree with it.I'm thinking here of the most prestigious public schools in the country!

I really hate the idea of education being customer service, it seems to be heading more that way, there is an element of it of course. However it is far more collaborative than a customer and service provider exchange and needs to be recognised as so.

ShowMeTheWonder · 16/09/2015 10:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lauren15 · 16/09/2015 13:44

Good insight Wonder

Original poster
BoboChic · 16/09/2015 19:23

I'm really interested in all these perfect schools with perfect management and perfect transparency at all times Wink. So much outrage at what seem to me quite small communication issues with straightforward resolution are giving rise to so much outrage on this thread - lucky all of you whose schools are so impeccable Smile

Thank you, SheGot, for your fantastically short and sharp summary of the situation. Very useful!

OP posts:
guineapigpie · 16/09/2015 19:50

I'm really interested in this imperfect school with hopeless teacher, flawed curriculum and a HT who doesn't understand what is going on until a parent points it out to him and who can't get the MD to listen to him, anyway (I wonder why?...). Smile Lucky school to have you to sort it out, OP. Wink

Shutthatdoor · 16/09/2015 19:51

I'm really interested in all these perfect schools with perfect management and perfect transparency at all times wink. So much outrage at what seem to me quite small communication issues with straightforward resolution are giving rise to so much outrage on this thread - lucky all of you whose schools are so impeccable

I see we have now moved onto sarcasm Wink

It isn't a 'small communication problem' though is it as according to your pp it is going to involve completely changing the curriculum and removing a teacher!

Original poster
BoboChic · 16/09/2015 20:04

Schools change subject curricula and teachers all the time.

OP posts:
Shutthatdoor · 16/09/2015 20:41

Schools change subject curricula and teachers all the time.

Not usually due to maybe unreasonable pressure from parents!

Original poster
BoboChic · 16/09/2015 20:44

How do you know how change comes about in organisations? Responding to client feedback is a very mainstream approach to honing your product.

OP posts:
Bubblesinthesummer · 16/09/2015 20:47

How do you know how change comes about in organisations? Responding to client feedback is a very mainstream approach to honing your product.

Coming from a family of a number of heads I can tell you that it isn't 'usual' for parents to dictate to the school on who can and can't teach etc

Original poster
BoboChic · 16/09/2015 21:29

It's perfectly usual for parents to raise concerns about the quality of teaching with a school.

OP posts:
MumTryingHerBest · 16/09/2015 22:05

BoboChic It's perfectly usual for parents to raise concerns about the quality of teaching with a school.

Fully agree.

Is it also perfectly usual for parents to change the curriculum for a school when the head is not able/willing to?

longtimelurker101 · 17/09/2015 02:00

"How do you know how change comes about in organisations? Responding to client feedback is a very mainstream approach to honing your product."

In an industry where the relationship is customer and provider yes, but following extensive market research, not one or two customers complaining.

Its not a customer/provider relationship though is it, and if you see it as one, then your view is deeply flawed.

Miller2408 · 17/09/2015 02:05

This thread is epic!!!