Teaching - Am I legal?

[Alliegid]

For the past year I have been running a cookery session with year 5&6 pupils, the teacher sends half the class at a time and I get on with it. The school is a small private Christian Charity. one and I have a degree in home economics and I did 2/3 rds of a PGCE about 20 years ago.- though never actually got the teaching certificate. The head has phoned me and asked if I would teach DT to the year 7s in Sept as they have no teacher at present. Can I do this or is there a legal consideration (the head knows that I didn't finish the course) Any views are welcome

[antiguru]

It�s up to the school to define their requirements and they are responsible to Ofsted and parents for defending their position. As long as you haven�t lied I think you�re OK legally.

However, from a moral point of view you might have a dilemma if the school are passing you off to parents and Ofsted as fully qualified to teach.

My other concern would be about whether (given the school are demonstrating that they cut corners elsewhere) you have been CRB checked.

[Alliegid]

Thanks antiguru, - school have CRB checked me and I have a certificate for being a Sunday school teacher too. Am I right in thinking that the teaching requirements/ qualifications are slightly different for private schools ? - it is actually an excellent school and usually has the best GCSE passes in our area :o)

[Jibergrt]

As it is a private school they can employ unqualified teachers if they so wish. Also Private schools don't get ofsted'd - they get checked by someone else.

[Alliegid]

Thanks - so it sounds as if I'll be OK, just got to spend the summer hol sorting lesson plans etc - DT hadn't been invented in my day !

[teddybon]

I wonder how many parents paying a fortune in fees realise that unqualified staff /often unchecked are teaching their children?

[Alliegid]

Interesting point teddybon, but in defence of our school the children actually get a fantastic education (I've 3 very different children at the school, one bright, but dyslexic, one academically gifted and the eldest middle of the road. The standard of teaching is good and the ofsteds are glowing - we do get checked)
You certainly wouldn't send your child to our school for the kudos of private education, you send them because Trinity recognises that personal and spiritual growth are important and prepares our children for lives of service and leadership,
The fees are modest and no one is getting rich out of this, in financial terms! The staff work for low wages, and are frequently very well qualified.
I'll get off my soap box now :o)

[juleejules]

Hi Alliegid

Have a look at the tda website see link below - you can now qualify on the job - would seem like an ideal way for you to progress your career

http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/thetrainingproce ss/typesofcourse/rtp.aspx

Hope this is useful
Jules

[teddybon]

Alliegid -congratulations on finding such a good school. I'm sure there are plenty that are doing their very best for their customers. I happen to know of one school with a respectable name that had an unqualified staff member "Teaching" all the core subjects to the youngest children. (As for private nurseries and their ability to cope with special needs , don't get me started!)

[Alliegid]

:o) I'm applying myself to a very steep learning curve! - explanation of colour theory anyone? Thanks for your views

[Figi]

Just a friendly word of warning - make sure you join a Teacher's Union. Then when one of the little darlings has an accident with DT equipment you'll have someone to defend you.

[Alliegid]

Thanks Figi, but can a non teacher join a Teacher's Union?

[thugulike]

You are not a non-teacher but an unqualified teacher which is different. Have a look at the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document 2006 which specifies the salaries, terms and conditions for unqulaified teachers. As you will be paid under those conditions you can belong to a teaching union, indeed many teaching unions are recruiting non-teachers anyway. Have you though of completing your PGCE, maybe through the OU whilst working?

[Alliegid]

That might be a problem as I will not be paid for the teaching. I know it sounds odd, but when we sign our children up we sign that we will do what we can to help the school, - some help with upkeep of the building , painting, gardening, cleaning, refitting the loos etc. My contribution is working in a voluntary capacity. Apart from anything else, if I need paying, the school fees will have to rise and I'll have to pay more! - rather shooting myself in the foot! I'm working on having a reduction in the fees , for the work I'll be doing.
This all makes the school sound rather perculiar, but it has been on the go (nursery through to year 11) for nearly 30 years and is very successful :o)