Crisis In Teaching - Just Wait Until 2012

Sir Michael Wilshaw was on The One Show the other night, and alarm bells are now ringing for when his time as Chief Inspector of Schools begins in 2012. He states that he's going to target coasting schools (hang on, that sounds like David Cameron from last week's press), because if he can do what he has managed in Hackney, then anyone can do it.

The worst thing was his response to the statement: "I can't work out if this is a modern technique or it's very old fashion".

Wilshaw said: "If old fashioned means high expectations, sure. If old fashioned means [that] we're asking them to respect each other, respect us and respect staff. If traditional means ensuring [that] there are no excuses for poor behaviour, then I'm happy to be called traditional."

You can see why politician like him.

He goes on to deny that his school is any different from any other school, other than the fact that it's been rebuilt and that he has total control over the budget.

What the report does include, interestingly, is a short interview with one of his staff who says that the pressures on the staff are too great at times - presumably he's now polishing his CV.

What the report failed to mention is the expectations on staff to provide extra lessons both before and after school for no extra pay (although due to the school being an academy, Wilshaw can pay extra initially), plus having to staff detentions and lessons on Saturdays.

It also doesn't mention stories such as when the PE GCSE results came in last summer and had dropped by 5% he phoned the head of departemnt (during the holidays) telling him that he care where his department were but they would all be at a 7.30am meeting the next morning to verbally lay into them.

Is this really the way forward? Is the profession, that is struggling for quality numbers already, really going to encourage more people in the fold?

The answer's "No" - who would choose to do extra work for nothing?

This bloke is a real worry for the teaching profession, and could be the final nail in the coffin, what with pay, pensions and conditions issues. Teacher's aren't afraid of hard work but Wilshaw's demands of teachers are unreasonable. More strikes on the way? Or are people just going to find something else to do?