Alistair Darwin evolves into a boss of something!

I remember in the sixties that there were some people who apparently did not know who the prime minister was. They knew Mike Yarwood, but for some reason Harold Wilson's name eluded them. I never really believed that. I've always thought into was a publicity stunt to make opinion pollsters look good.

These people quizzed were adults. It's not generally expected that children should know of everyone in government, let alone Gordon Brown. But I suspect the vast majority do, because of the remarks they hear about him! Should Alistair Darling be known and should he be famous? A group of six pupils, all aged nine, from Cedarwood Primary School at Kesgrave, near Ipswich, were quizzed by the BBC about money matters. This was what they thought about the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Does anybody know who the chancellor is?

E: What's the chancellor?
B: Is he the boss of the banks?
V: He is something to do with money, and the President's friend.
E: Is he...
V: ...or she...
E: ...In charge of all the banks?
Rep: He's called Alistair Darling, have you heard of him?
E: If it was Darwin then I have heard of him - he's a famous scientist.

Edward posed a good question about him being the boss of the banks. No more boss than Top Cat was of his disperate (or desperate?) group of feline felons! Gordon Brown has been as useful as Officer Dibble when it came to ascertaining the facts. Alistair Darwin is much nearer the truth. A mad scientist that let the banks grow out of control with terrible consequences.

Out of the mouths of babes......

Male teachers and the lack of them

Today the BBC is running a news item about the lack of male teachers in primary schools. It is being portrayed as problem because the children lack a male role model whilst learning. That is undoubtedly true. However, those in the teaching profession sound utterly devoid of a reason as to why this should be. Lack of male teachers, that is.

I'd venture to say it is three main reasons. The first is that many men would shudder at the thought of teaching young children for fear of one day having a paedophile label stuck on their backs. Whether this is at the forefront of one's mind or not, it is certainly a reason for caution. With so much publicity about teachers being involved in accusations and enquiries, is it little wonder that a frisson of fear goes down a man's spine when asked if teaching is a career option? Unruly children, albeit a minority, are definitely a handful.

The second is that, from the outside, teaching in primary schools is seen as a female-dominated occupation. The fact that it is and that change is being sought is neither here nor there. It is the perception that is uppermost in current thinking. It is a brave man who will do what we used to say in the sixties and "break the ice of the party". And thirdly, the issue of pay is not seen as sufficiently attractive.

I hope they can attract more male teachers for the very reasons that are being stated. But I think they should tackle the problems of attitude head-on and not stand in wonderment at the diffidence of men in a primary school teaching role.

School's Out!

I've been off the air for almost two weeks. In my blogging experience that's quite a long time. It seems longer as I've been wrapped up in end of term activities at my son's school. He's leaving (well left now!) his infant school and going round to the primary school next term. For the end of term various activities were put on. I attended, with my wife, the "leavers' assembly". It was a very good show. No fluffed lines from what I could gather. It is a good school with the added advantage that most of the teachers have additional skills. One teacher galvanises the music activity, so the parents get to see a musical assembly. It is all good fun.

At the end of the proceedings, the Head Teacher got up to "say a few words". It was pointed out to the parents that, if a child went to nursery as well, most of the children had spent more that half their lives at the school! There was suddenly a lot of blinking and bewilderment as this piece of learning settled in! But of course she was right. In some ways the school had just become an extension of the high chair routine and the playpen, with subtle changes along the way. I for one have just gone along with the simple progressions, being helpfully cajoled (in the nicest possible way, of course) by the staff.

Next year will be different! I noticed the body language of the Head Teacher of the primary school was somewhat different. The message was that the children were growing up. It goes by quickly, but then we can't mollycoddle children. It will be a new phase of our lives!