tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post3171912827906687709..comments2024-02-25T06:41:19.588+00:00Comments on Conor's Commentary: Elitist perhaps, but not brazenConor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457628816008082005noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post-17514405072510712312010-01-19T20:14:17.901+00:002010-01-19T20:14:17.901+00:00Gove seems to have the knack for identifying probl...Gove seems to have the knack for identifying problems but then coming up with a policy that won't solve it.<br /><br />There is a real problem with the anti-academic ethos in schools. There is no reward in teaching for being well qualified. No extra pay; no extra status; no increased chance of promotion. In many schools it can be a positive disadvantage with the well-qualified seen as know-it-all "subject specialists" more interested in their A-level classes than advancing bottom sets. <br /><br />At the very least it's not surprising that schools can't convince their students to study hard and achieve when they don't reward their staff for the same thing.<br /><br />So what does Gove suggest? Extension of a non-academic route into teaching, and measures to rule out the tiny minority of teachers with thirds.<br /><br />This is not going to change the culture. It is not going to attract the academically able into to teaching and keep them there, and it sure isn't going to raise the status of the profession.<br /><br />The only way to get better qualified teachers to join and stay in the profession is to reward them, and not with one-offs when they start, but with a better deal for the whole of their careers.oldandrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754487569367573087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post-72247561655790875312010-01-19T16:54:05.138+00:002010-01-19T16:54:05.138+00:00Thanks Conor. I don't think we really disagree...Thanks Conor. I don't think we really disagree, but I do think a good teacher is much more than a degree classification, particularly with younger kids.Sarah Ebnerhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/schoolgatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post-81262602610219319112010-01-19T15:10:40.352+00:002010-01-19T15:10:40.352+00:00Sarah, insofar as they want to develop Teach Now a...Sarah, insofar as they want to develop Teach Now and improve in-school teacher training, I think they are right - not least because they are developing what we did. I don't think a 1st or 2:1 always equals a good teacher, but the idea of making it a higher status profession is what lies behind Teach First, and is basically right. Teach First has pretty rigorous recruitment, with many not being accepted, and it is crucial that if you set a minimum standard it is not the only criterion used. Moreover, it is much less relevant for the career changers. I personally would like to see far more primary teachers training in the classroom and their training focused on practical skills of engaging children, teaching the basics and other subjects, and discipline.Conor Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13457628816008082005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post-28522595362644101662010-01-19T15:02:57.384+00:002010-01-19T15:02:57.384+00:00Conor, I'm interested to know what you think a...Conor, I'm interested to know what you think actually makes a good teacher, especially in a primary school. I'm not convinced that it's a first class degree or even a 2.1. <br />It sounds as if you think they Tories are along the right lines with this. Is that right?Sarah Ebnerhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/schoolgatenoreply@blogger.com