nigelnorris said:
You're saying that your wife, someone responsible for recruiting and training teachers, believes that an attitude of violence towards children is a suitable qualification? It's because of people like her that the rules shifted in favour of child protection in the first place.
[And incidentally I'm sure that both of you are well aware that if she were to vocalise that point of view publicly she'd be out of work chop chop.]
This thread is way out of hand, so much talk of beatings and violence on children.
Sense of humour Nigel, sense of humour. Many people have one. Seems like you have mislaid yours?
I was almost tempted not to bother answering your very ignorant, presumptive opinion, but couldn't resist.
She isn't a fossil, the shift in child protection (some may say empowering the children to have more rights than the teachers) occured before she even became a teacher. Your comments reflect why teachers often shrug and say "we can't go back to the '80s" while waiting their time out. It is called anything for an easy life. Besides, corporal punishment in schools wasn't banned due to the actions of any particular teachers, was it? Just the societal changes that hitting kids is wrong. IIRC the NUT agreed with the removal of CP, so in no way was it endemic in schools. Half the time it was the fact that it
could be used that worked, rather than the punishment being implemented.
She has never struck a child - or ever needed to. She trained in inner city schools, continued to teach kids in secondary schools in some of the most deprived areas of the country, she has taught as an advisory teacher in primary schools and is now a senior lecturer. She didn't get there by ignoring situations, she got there by managing herself, her departments, and the pupils well. Sense of humour and patience are essential charectaristics of a good teacher, even better is the ability to inspire and motivate children to behave in a positive and socially appropriate manner. She trains teachers to think about the purpose of education and to provide a quality experience in their care. Kids are not league tables, they are individuals. Joe24 at least demonstrates personality, and while his age means he expresses himself in a provocative manner, this does not mean that he will do exactly what he says. Anyone with understanding of child pyschology will understand that. Perhaps some CPD is required, my wifes provides that too.
In fact, I'd assume that your school is well aware of pupil behaviour problems in the local community and take the well worn "what can we do, our hands are tied" defence. At least until OFSTED turn up and the unruly yr 10s suddenly disappear on "work placement", and SMT prescence is massively increased at the school gates.
The result was that SMT at the school in question took action appropriate and engaged in a conversation on a professional to professional level.
