Categories: uncategorized
Date: 11 March 2009 08:12:09
The Department for Children, Schools and Families have excelled themselves with this plan to introduce fast tracking for high calibre graduates who want to go into teaching. The idea is, apparently, that the brightest and best (i.e. those who are likely to make good head teachers) can switch career and come into teaching - gaining qualified teacher status after just 6 months and getting leadership positions within four years.
Before I start criticing this in detail let me make clear I think that schools and colleges do need bright, motivated and able leaders. I also believe that teaching is a valuable career that people should be encouraged into. However, I do have grave concerns about the governments plans and the rationale behind them.
My first concern regards the whether it is possible for professional status for a demanding career to be gained within 6 months, I would argue not. Teaching is a profession with professional standards which are there for a reason. It requires a whole toolbox of skills which go beyond those easily examined by what qualifications you have, although having those qualifications is also important. It does take a full year to ensure that somebody has these compentencies. Additionally teaching involves being able to handle a whole range of situations which you learn over time. There are many things in teaching you learn "on the job" in the classroom, which are v. different to what you find in other working environments. The whole point of the year is (i) to learn the professional role and (ii) to get as much experience as possible in order to decide if this is the career for you.
Additionally, the government seem to want a system to introduce managers who will have little experience of teaching. Leaders in schools do need good business skills and an ability to understand the statistical data and budgets involved. However, they also need a good working knowledge of the issues that there staff and pupils are dealing with.
Finally, one doesn't solve the problem of what to do with a bunch of out of work bankers by putting them in the classroom. Teaching should be a career that is treated as a profession one only goes into after serious consideration and with real commitment.