british-educators

"What the pupils need above all is continuity – and they need the self-esteem that comes with knowing that their school is where teachers want to stay long term."

"Until teaching our neediest children becomes the pinnacle of a professional career, the best-rewarded and most sought-after job, we cannot seriously tackle social injustice or provide equality of opportunity."

"The fact remains that teachers are likely to find it considerably more attractive to work in a successful school with good discipline, well motivated students and greater freedoms."

"Having to manage temporary and unqualified teachers can become a severe drain on the remaining experienced staff."

"Overall, we find too many enthusiastic new teachers, who are mostly young women graduates, rapidly losing their enthusiasm. For them, within the first five years, initially positive expectations about what they see as a creative, challenging and rewarding career, turn into a wish to change job and a reluctance to say they would choose teaching again. We should ask honestly why this happens."

"People should do everything they can to support their teachers [but] they must also be very clear that there is a legal requirement for them to refer that teacher to the GTCE."

"The code of conduct is relevant only to the tiny, tiny minority of teachers who fall below [the professional conduct] standard and come before the council. It is not a code which may be used by employers as a basis for dismissing teachers."

"“What parents said they valued most were discussions with teachers and heads, and what they wanted was more descriptive information in their children’s school reports. This is particularly true for primary schools. Parents wanted to know much more than just how their children were doing academically.”"

"“She was enormously energetic and committed to making a success of the GTC. She battled to create a sense of credibility and value for the teaching profession.”"

"She contributed enormously at a crucial moment to the development of leadership skills and professionalism for the teaching profession and will be sorely missed."