Education has certainly changed since my day, no longer is corporal punishment allowed, which is a good thing, and education remains a political football, which is a bad thing.
Primary teachers are now allowed to leave their class in the hands of an 'untrained person' for a few hours a week to allow for Planning and Preparation. These 'untrained persons' are usually experienced Teacher's Assistants, who have received extra training. So, on balance, I think that is a good thing.
Recently, while on supply at a Secondary School in Hull, I met an 'Intervention Teacher' in a Maths class. The role involved taking kids from class that were struggling and give them extra help. Not a bad thing? "So, you are a Maths teacher then?" I asked. "No" came the reply. "You have a Maths degree then?" "No, I am just good at Maths" and the conversation ended.
I applied for a job at a different Secondary School as a Cover Supervisor. I did not get the job. The job went to somebody who had been working in the role, and was not qualified. A second post, available until the end of the academic year, was also not a job that I got. That went to a spotty youth who had been a teaching assistant at the school, and 'ran a football team'.
The question that bothers me is, with all these untrained individuals working in education, what is the point of a degree and a P.G.C.E? Answers on a Post Card please.
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