Sabbaticals For Teachers

There was a letter in this week's Sunday Times to Chris Woodhead (Educational columnist and former Chief Inspector of Schools) asking whether he thought it was a good idea that teachers got sabbatical (a period of time doing something else, often a year) every few years to "recharge the batteries". It is an idea that has been suggested by the new Chief Inspector of Schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw.

In reply Woodhead says how impressed he has been with Wilshaw so far and goes on to state that teaching in inner city schools "can be a very tough job indeed". He then goes on to say that most teachers don't teach in inner city schools and although they have to deal with immature children, the hard work is equalled by the rewards of the job. Presumably this is why the main reason for teacher sickness at the moment is stress, the stress of all those rewarding times teachers have in the classroom. Foolish statement number one.

Woodhead also states that teachers are paid relatively well (no-one ever enters teaching for the money, but it's not bad) and despite cuts in the pension, the pension is far better than the private equivalent, assuming that those teachers actually make it to pension age due to the stresses of the job. These are contentious issues, but understandable from someone who hasn't taught in a school classroom since 1974.

He also mentions the 13 weeks holiday - the familiar dig that teachers have to deal with. As I've said on numerous occasions, no-one would do the job if it weren't for the holidays. I certainly wouldn't.

He also says, astoundingly, that teachers have "cast-iron job security". This is quite unbelievable at a time of budget cuts and many schools being forced to make teachers (as well as support staff) redundant. Not to mention the qualified teachers in subjects such as PE, Art, Drama, History (the list goes on) who can't even get their first job because there are too many qualified teachers for too feew jobs. And that's without a baseless accusation from a vindictive child that hangs over all teachers every day, where the teacher is guilty until proven innocent. The bloke is clearly an idiot. Foolish statement number two.

I'm not saying that teachers deserve a sabbatical to "recharge their batteries", although I believe that some countries do offer them. The cost would be prohibitive as those on sabbatical would need a wage, and their replacement would also need payment. Also the public may not welcome the news, and the disruption to classes may outweigh the benefits.

Chris Woodhead - totally removed from educational reality.