Free Schools - What scares the teaching profession so much?
Discussion
Just that I noticed the Unions and teachers were a bit upset yesterday about them opening 
So what is it that worries them so much? From what I've heard, the kids will have more time at school studying 9-5 which I am sure will suit parents who work much better than current schools that are open 0930-1500.
The Unions and teachers usually only moan when they feel under threat, so are they worried that the acadamies / free schools will make them look bad and increase the expectations of parents? Or is it something else?
So what is it that worries them so much? From what I've heard, the kids will have more time at school studying 9-5 which I am sure will suit parents who work much better than current schools that are open 0930-1500.
The Unions and teachers usually only moan when they feel under threat, so are they worried that the acadamies / free schools will make them look bad and increase the expectations of parents? Or is it something else?
There was some moaner on the radio the other day going ape because one free school was going to get ex-forces guys in as teachers
He reason for going ape they wouldn't have degrees so how on earth could they teach maths to GCSE level
Typical snobbish idiot those that don't have a degree are sub human scum
He reason for going ape they wouldn't have degrees so how on earth could they teach maths to GCSE level
Typical snobbish idiot those that don't have a degree are sub human scum
It scares them because parents will set out what they want the schools to do, teachers are effectively employees of parents.
The unions will not have the power over the parents running the free schools in the same way as they do local authorities. The results will be better at free schools than state schools and more an more parents will want to set up free schools (or more likely, want the schools set up for them) resulting in the stranglehold the teaching unions have had on state education being lost.
Loss of power and influence scares them.
The unions will not have the power over the parents running the free schools in the same way as they do local authorities. The results will be better at free schools than state schools and more an more parents will want to set up free schools (or more likely, want the schools set up for them) resulting in the stranglehold the teaching unions have had on state education being lost.
Loss of power and influence scares them.
hornetrider said:
I think teachers are hamstrung by the framework in which they have to work. Do these schools follow the curriculum? If so I can't see a problem, however the proof of the pudding will be in the quality of individuals they produce.
Makes no difference...the ultimate aim is to produce individuals with an education that will pass the state examination board at age 15 and 17. The tests are not determined by these schools...only the information and training to achieve good results are! And those are determined by the school boards consisting of parents and founders of the schools. Private schooling standards and decorum funded by the state is how I would describe it."Free Schools are all-ability state-funded schools set up in response to what local people say they want and need in order to improve education for children in their community."
Completely predictable that the institutions which currently "own" education would object to its democratisation - just human nature. Could be worse, look how the church reacted to the idea of translating the bible into laymen's languages - at least the NUT doesn't burn heretics
Completely predictable that the institutions which currently "own" education would object to its democratisation - just human nature. Could be worse, look how the church reacted to the idea of translating the bible into laymen's languages - at least the NUT doesn't burn heretics
Pass but I will be sending my child to one that opens next Monday. She will be starting year 1 of Discovery New School which teaches using the Montessori method and has class sizes of 16.
Im thrilled to have a place for her and looking forward to her fufilling her potential with teachers who have time for the children and are led by them not the other way around.
Im thrilled to have a place for her and looking forward to her fufilling her potential with teachers who have time for the children and are led by them not the other way around.
Blib said:
Apparently, these new kind of schools do not have to completely follow the National Curriculum.
I wonder what the PH reaction will be if and when one decides to teach its kids Creationism?
Well there is one that has just gone from Public to Free in London that includes Transcendental Meditation.I wonder what the PH reaction will be if and when one decides to teach its kids Creationism?
IIRC from what i have heard they still have to follow the basic curriculum but can add their own bits. You and I might consider those who espouse Creationalist theories to be Muppets but at least the parents now have a choice about these and if any of the Free schools wishes to go down a religious path they have to accept at least 50% of their intake from other religions.
Personally the people I would anticipate having the most to fear in the short term are the lower tier Public Schools. Why pay £14kpa in school fees when the local free school gets as good a set of results and is free?
The NUTers are turkeys trying to hold Christmas at bay for as long as possible but as said they can see not only their level of influence being diminished but also their very existence threatened. And not before time IMO.
pass, the school is directly funded from the govenment as opposed to the county council. Teachers are more than qualified, in fact my daughters teacher is not only a fully qualified teacher also a montessori trained teacher, She has a special needs training qualification and is also a trained child psycologist.
The school can decide how to spend their money and pay teachers as they wish etc.
I wont be paying top up fees. Although the school uniform included a dress for £35 which i thoughtwas rather steep!
The school can decide how to spend their money and pay teachers as they wish etc.
I wont be paying top up fees. Although the school uniform included a dress for £35 which i thoughtwas rather steep!
From the school website:
We are a Montessori primary school and use a full Montessori curriculum from 4-11 years. Through teaching a Montessori curriculum we will also ensure that children cover the National Curriculum and so gain both all the advantages of Montessori education and are able to transfer well to senior schools. DNS teachers will have high expectations, encouraging questioning and discussion.
We have mixed aged classes, typically with two year groups per class: reception and year one, year two and three, year four and year five and then a separate year six class. Each will have a class size of approximately 16 children.
The Montessori curriculum covers the traditional core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, History and Geography, RE, I.T, Music, Art, Crafts, Drama, and P.E including swimming, dance and gymnastics. Latin and French will also be taught. However the style of learning is different, with an emphasis on 1:1, small group teaching and independent learning rather than whole class teaching.
Montessori equipment ensures that children can understand abstract concepts through concrete materials. This principle gives children a very solid grasp of complex ideas at a young age, and helps them to do well in their later years.
See here for more details of how children progress up as they move up the school.
Teaching occurs in mostly 1:1 or small groups - ensuring your child is neither bored or left behind but rather taught at the right level for them. Children are also given the opportunity to work independently, for uninterrupted periods in a concentrated way.
Montessori equipment is particularly effective in giving children a good mathematical grounding. English and Language work provide a great understanding of language and grammar. Boys and girls are allowed to read what interests them and we use their interests to develop a love of reading and acquiring knowledge.
Personal experience is important and so you will find that outside visits will be part of most topics and that multi sensory equipment is used extensively.
Discovery children will emerge as thoughtful, enthusiastic people with the confidence and skills to continue learning and succeeding.
We are a Montessori primary school and use a full Montessori curriculum from 4-11 years. Through teaching a Montessori curriculum we will also ensure that children cover the National Curriculum and so gain both all the advantages of Montessori education and are able to transfer well to senior schools. DNS teachers will have high expectations, encouraging questioning and discussion.
We have mixed aged classes, typically with two year groups per class: reception and year one, year two and three, year four and year five and then a separate year six class. Each will have a class size of approximately 16 children.
The Montessori curriculum covers the traditional core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, History and Geography, RE, I.T, Music, Art, Crafts, Drama, and P.E including swimming, dance and gymnastics. Latin and French will also be taught. However the style of learning is different, with an emphasis on 1:1, small group teaching and independent learning rather than whole class teaching.
Montessori equipment ensures that children can understand abstract concepts through concrete materials. This principle gives children a very solid grasp of complex ideas at a young age, and helps them to do well in their later years.
See here for more details of how children progress up as they move up the school.
Teaching occurs in mostly 1:1 or small groups - ensuring your child is neither bored or left behind but rather taught at the right level for them. Children are also given the opportunity to work independently, for uninterrupted periods in a concentrated way.
Montessori equipment is particularly effective in giving children a good mathematical grounding. English and Language work provide a great understanding of language and grammar. Boys and girls are allowed to read what interests them and we use their interests to develop a love of reading and acquiring knowledge.
Personal experience is important and so you will find that outside visits will be part of most topics and that multi sensory equipment is used extensively.
Discovery children will emerge as thoughtful, enthusiastic people with the confidence and skills to continue learning and succeeding.
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