| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Bijou School set for White City location....... | |
| Posted by: | Andy Magee | |
| Date/Time: | 28/01/11 10:40:00 |
| Although I support the NUT on this action it does not mean I support them unequivocally. I certainly don’t think I should have to justify every action they have ever taken or which education successes they choose to celebrate. I am of the opinion that society and education is a better for the existence of unions. Others are entitled to disagree. I feel I have adequately explained in previous posts why I think teachers are justified in taking legitimate action to stop schools becoming academies. Although I readily agree that the existence of unsatisfactory teachers is unacceptable and very frustrating; I have a child in school as well. I don’t understand why my supporting this group of local teachers in an outstanding local school means I should have to defend every ‘dud’ teacher that has ever worked. However, as you have asked me my opinion I do think the teaching unions often have a negative influence when trying to prevent the removal of unsatisfactory teachers. However, I don't think all the blame can be laid at their door. Many inner-London schools have children that demonstrate an unbelievable range of challenging behaviours and have a massive range of educational needs. There have been many ill-thought out central government initiatives over the years and recently there has been a steady decline in the funding. In these circumstances it can be very hard to do a good or even adequate job. More importantly this also makes it very hard for school leaders to produce indisputable evidence that a teacher is unsatisfactory. How do you effectively defend against the charge that the teacher is doing a satisfactory job and it is the pupils who are unwilling or unable to be taught or that the school is not providing adequate resources and support for a struggling teacher? There is also a shortage of teachers. This is particularly acute in certain subjects and in certain types of schools. Is there any point removing an unsatisfactory teacher from a post unless you can be reasonably sure that you can get a replacement that can and will do a significantly better job in the same circumstances? I don’t see why the WLFS would be better at addressing these challenges than any other inner-London comprehensive school. Their staff will still be entitled to join a union. In fact, as they have removed the requirement for teachers in free schools to have a teaching qualification and their accommodation for September appears to be far inferior to what most schools have I don’t see why the teaching or the learning would be any better than any other Hammersmith and Fulham school. |