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Diary of an NQT
NEW CODE OF CONDUCT NEW CODE OF CONDUCT
It’s all about the weather
WELL THIS is it. My final NQT diary entry of what is the breadth of subjects I will face in September. I
Since 2001
has been an extremely rewarding and memorable have five at the moment with the possibility of one
year that has seen many trails and tribulations. or even two more next year. I am going to be all over the General
As the year draws to a close, that staple of the place, although in a very good, stimulating and
English dinner party conversation has reared its head rewarding way and not, hopefully, like a headless
Teaching
around school – the weather. chicken.
I have always happily, to a degree Like most teachers, I guess I have been
anyway (excuse the pun), worked in desperate for the summer holidays to
Council for
temperatures of 40 Celsius doing arrive, but now that they are nearly here
various manual jobs in the past, and I find myself wanting some more school
England has been the
so I wasn’t daunted by the prospect time like this! The July phase of school
of a heat wave. life is quieter – and more relaxed. It’s
professional regulatory
However, I have found it a lovely to experience the end of year
completely different ball game feeling. But hey, we are here to work
body responsible for
within the school environment. and this is the calm before the storm of
While we get some “heated” 2009/10 – I need to make the most of
moments (again, excuse the pun) all the peace to prepare myself!
teaching. With the launch
the year round with students, it seems For those of you that have followed
the high temperatures have changed the my weekly teaching antics in SecEd this week of an updated
dynamics of the pupils completely. in the past year, I hope that you have
However, it is not all bad. It is like enjoyed the ride. I also hope your
Code of Conduct, which
an amicable truce has been called – the year has gone well – be you NQT
kids haven’t got the energy in them or not.
to misbehave, but whingeing now I now must take this opportunity
places a responsibility on
appears to have become top of the to thank all my colleagues for being
list of misdemeanours. extremely professional, helpful, and
teachers to act as role
I can live with this. Maybe we above all friendly and welcoming to
should have a year-round policy of me, especially my department. models who consider ‘their
whacking the heating up if students Pete, Mark, Louise, Hatice,
are getting too boisterous! Latifa and Tharpinder – my gratitude
place in society’, Emily
Anyway, as I write this final entry, goes out to you all for the support you have
my thoughts are casting themselves back given. I am looking forward to the probably
across the entire year, and not just this week. I even more eventful year that is coming in
Birkett asks whether the
am writing with the satisfaction of knowing that September.
I have managed to turn my challenging classes
GTCE has gone too far
around over the past year and I feel good about this • This is the final entry from this year’s NQT
– not least because if I had not made progress with diarist, Charles Aubeeluck, a qualified citizenship
them, it will have pecked away at me all summer. teacher who teaches sociology and health and HE GENERAL Teaching Council for
Not good when lying on the beach! social care at Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in
What will be on my mind this summer, however, west London.
Teach it like Torno!
T
England (GTCE) was established in
2001 as a body independent from
government. It is made up of teachers
and lay people (including parents,
governors and representatives from
children’s organisations) and has three
main aims:
• To improve the standards of teaching and the
Lighting candles in dark places
quality of learning – the GTCE is responsible
for awarding qualified teacher status and maintains
a register of qualified teachers. It has also played
an important role in advising the government and
“The purpose of education is to change lives.” David with the quality of individuals we turn out as a school. other agencies on policy that affects the quality of
Torn. The English department clearly deserves the highest teaching and learning. and not the GTCE, it has angered critics because she
So, here we are nearly at the end of another year. rating, not least because over the last three years they • To maintain and improve standards of professional had moved between three schools before disciplinary
Clearly a time for reflection (and inspection! More of have nurtured three former students, two of whom conduct among teachers – the GTCE sets out and action was taken. The case highlights a tactic prevalent
this later) and a time to prepare for the beginning of will return as NQTs next year, and one who is now maintains standards for teachers and has powers in many English schools, whereby failing teachers
the new term in September. head of drama and this week received a distinction to deal with cases of misconduct or incompetence are encouraged to resign rather than face disciplinary
What have we learnt as a profession this year? in the London Teaching Awards Outstanding New by issuing sanctions and, in the most serious of procedures, allowing them to transfer to another school
More importantly, what have our students learnt? Teacher category. The department and the school have cases, prohibiting teachers from teaching. with an adequate reference.
Have they developed a deeper understanding of heavily invested in the community and what greater • To raise the standing of the profession. The statistics would appear to give some credence
themselves and in doing so shown greater empathy contribution to society could there be than returning to to these complaints. Of the 500,000 teachers
and consideration to their colleagues? your old school to become a teacher?
Mixed reviews
registered with the GTCE last year, there were a total
Have they learnt what levels they are Another major event happening this It is generally agreed that the GTCE has achieved a of only 506 referrals. Of these, only 222 were for
at (with no understanding of what this week is our annual Holocaust Day. This lot in the last eight years, with its focus on supporting misconduct. Most significantly, just 10 teachers have
means)? Or have they, dare I say it, is organised by the history department and improving standards of teaching and learning and been struck off for incompetence since the GTCE was
learnt that education is much wider in conjunction with the English, offering impartial independent advice on government set up in 2001.
than academic success and what geography and religious studies policy. For example, it now requires trainee teachers
happens in the classroom. departments. It focuses on to provisionally register with it and has played a key
A new professionalism: a new code
Over the last month, I have the suffering of humans at role in both the Children’s Plan and the Every Child The launch of the new Code of Conduct represents
been very fortunate to spend time the hands of other humans Matters agenda. an attempt to address some of the criticisms. It came
on school trips with various groups. and promotes the strength However, critics argue that it has not been as with an announcement that the new code would seek
A year 9 trip to the Imperial War of the human spirit in successful in improving standards of conduct or raising to represent the changing context and nature of the
Museum, a year 10 trip to watch facing and overcoming the standing of the profession, with its remit being teaching profession and reflects the GTCE’s intention
a performance of the musical Blood issues of prejudice and criticised for being too “complex and problematic”. to create role models.
Brothers, and, most recently, a year 9 racism. Indeed, a recent survey commissioned by the GTCE The consultation period ended on February 27. The
trip to Santander in Spain. The students learn in February 2009 reported that members felt that its GTCE has reviewed the responses before deciding
On these trips, I spent time getting about the continuation role as an advocate of the profession meant it was whether to amend the draft code. The final code was
to know the students individually in of genocide today and neglecting its primary function, namely the registration published on Wednesday (July 1) and comes into effect
a way that you just can’t do in the hear the testimony of a and regulation of teachers. in October.
classroom. Youngsters talk more survivor, Rudi Openheimer. They point to examples where the GTCE has failed The code outlines eight key principles of conduct
candidly and openly about their This day was put together five to enforce the requirement that local authorities, schools and practice that registered teachers are expected to
dreams and aspirations, and years ago and is intended to and the police make referrals to them when a member comply with. These are:
because more time is spent with develop student understanding of of staff is dismissed for incompetence, misconduct, or
them a greater understanding is the strength of relationships and the cautioned or convicted.
1, Put the wellbeing, development and
forged. In some cases, I spent importance of standing up for what is Further, where referrals have been made, the GTCE
time with one or two students morally right. has only considered cases where they are serious
progress of children and young people first
who I did not really know, but The day begins with an assembly on enough for the teacher to have been dismissed by their Teachers are expected to use their professional expertise
had an unfavourable impression genocide over the years and I am sincerely employer, or where they believe the teacher resigned and judgement to do their best for the children in their
of. At times their approach towards hoping that the inspector attends. If he does, before they could be dismissed. Moreover, they have care. This includes taking all reasonable steps to ensure
learning has been negative and has he will witness what a school is and should be rarely used their power to strike off teachers found their wellbeing by being perceptive of the needs of
affected the learning environment. about. It is not about league tables and results, guilty of incompetence or misconduct. children in their care and addressing issues at the
Being able to have a one-to-one but the developing of relationships between There have been a number of recent high profile earliest possible stage.
conversation and to discuss with them individuals in a community. At the end of the cases of incompetence and misconduct which have Where further help and support is needed, teachers
the value of education and what it can assembly, two candles will be lit: one for the compounded these allegations. are expected to demonstrate sufficient self-awareness
do for them, alongside hearing what they victims of genocide and the other for all in our They include the case of Michael Swann, a science to access it where necessary. The code demands that
had to say, was one of the most rewarding school. teacher at Maltby Community College in Rotherham, appropriate professional boundaries should be kept
experiences I have had. The candles will be lit by one of those students who escaped further sanction by the GTCE after he between teachers and those children in their care.
Admittedly, it is common sense that the more I got to know on a trip to the Imperial War Museum was arrested in a nightclub for possession of crack If teachers have any concerns relating to the practice
you get to know someone the more you begin to and in lighting the candles he will also be lighting the cocaine. The GTCE defended its decision stating that of other teachers or professionals, they are required to
understand where they are coming from. However, it way for all of us. Never will the phrase about lighting it had looked at his performance as a teacher and ensure that these are raised through the appropriate
did serve to reinforce my own belief that education is candles in dark places be so poignant and relevant. considered whether he had been guilty of any previous channels to ensure that any children involved are not
about getting under someone’s skin and lighting the Have a good summer and an even better rest. transgressions. exposed to any risks.
way for what otherwise might be a very dark path. The current Scottish case of Susan Barnard, a
Back to reality, however, and this week we learnt • David Torn is professional tutor and an advanced primary school teacher in Perth and Kinross, has also 2, Take responsibility for maintaining the
that Ofsted was visiting to carry out an inspection of skills teacher at St Edward’s Comprehensive School received a lot of press attention, as she now faces the
the English provision in the school. What lousy timing! in Essex. He is the London Secondary School Teacher possibility that she may be the first teacher in Scotland
quality of their teaching practice
I am sure it will be fine, but Ofsted will be focusing of the Year 2007 and is passionate that the purpose of to be struck off for incompetence. This principle reflects the GTCE’s expectation that
on results and data and will not be greatly concerned education is to change lives. He returns in September. Although the matter falls within the jurisdiction of teachers should meet the professional standards for
the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), teaching that are relevant to their role and experience.
8 SecEd • July 9 2009
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