Teacher's Striking.

[AoWW]

My wife quit teacher training because of this type of attitude. A girl from a poor background was coming to school in a state. Had a known faimly problem, came with the same mouldy apple in her packed lunch for 3 days and the same clothes (unwashed). Got into a state and was often in tears yet no one was allowed to put an arm around her and reassure her / give her some comfort.

I am biased yet know that she would have been a fantastic teacher and it would have been for the love of helping others develop, not the pay packet. Yet the system let her down and subsequently kids who I know would have benefited from her guidance.

Erm, why on earth not? Yes, teachers have to be very aware of their own actions and the potential consequences but there reaches a point where common decency and caring have to take priority. Obviously each 'situation' has to be judged individually - based on the child, what has happened, their age/gender, their background/religion/culture, even your perceived view of their parents/carers - but at no point are you dictated to that you can't reassure a child. Yes, rules have to be there for the protection of all concerned but they should also be interpreted with common sense rather than the blind assumption that you 'cannot do anything these days' - that's simply giving in to the politically correct brigade and is technically inaccurate. Teachers are told to avoid physical contact with children - but there are other ways of offering reassurance. In my opinion, this has all gone way too far.

I have, on a number of occasions during my teaching career, put a hand on the shoulder of a child who was very distressed. I remember one situation very clearly where a child was told - within school - that her older brother had been killed. IThe news should really never have been told to her in that environment but the child's parents/relatives couldn't be there and it fell to the school to tell her. Unsurprisingly, she fell apart. To leave a child in that situation with no physical reassurance seems to me to be nothing short of cruel and inhumane. Myself and another teacher both (not simultaneously!) took the girl into our arms when she was told and in the period immediately afterwards. The 'contact' was subsequently logged and nothing more came of it although we were both aware it could be questioned. Given the same situation again I would act in exactly the same way even with the benefit of hindsight - and I would hate to reach a point where I felt I could not use my own professional judgment to make that decision. I accept that teachers have to carefully consider their own 'safety' (from a legal perspective) but in that situation I would happily - and vocally - have argued my case against the school, the girl's parents, unions, or a court of law if it had come to it.

I'm genuinely intersted to hear the views of parents on this issue though because it's something that relates to me directly. I hope that the parents of the children I teach trust me to make the right decision in dealing with their child in a given situation that may involve having to comfort them, but maybe I'm being naive in thinking that? What are other people's views?

[StroudFox]

exactly!!

I am sick of all these people who work in the public sector thinking they have a tough time!!

as for Teachers yes it may be hard work but no harder than working a 10hr shift on a production line in a factory on top of that they get 13weeks paid holiday a year, a very decent level of pay and the job security that you will pretty much ALWAYS have a job for life, they will never have to suffer the indignity of being made redundant and signing on they can always get a job somewhere

not quite true. I am currently going through a redundancy process at the moment because there are falling rolls at the school.

[StroudFox]

Erm, why on earth not? Yes, teachers have to be very aware of their own actions and the potential consequences but there reaches a point where common decency and caring have to take priority. Obviously each 'situation' has to be judged individually - based on the child, what has happened, their age/gender, their background/religion/culture, even your perceived view of their parents/carers - but at no point are you dictated to that you can't reassure a child. Yes, rules have to be there for the protection of all concerned but they should also be interpreted with common sense rather than the blind assumption that you 'cannot do anything these days' - that's simply giving in to the politically correct brigade and is technically inaccurate. Teachers are told to avoid physical contact with children - but there are other ways of offering reassurance. In my opinion, this has all gone way too far.

I have, on a number of occasions during my teaching career, put a hand on the shoulder of a child who was very distressed. I remember one situation very clearly where a child was told - within school - that her older brother had been killed. IThe news should really never have been told to her in that environment but the child's parents/relatives couldn't be there and it fell to the school to tell her. Unsurprisingly, she fell apart. To leave a child in that situation with no physical reassurance seems to me to be nothing short of cruel and inhumane. Myself and another teacher both (not simultaneously!) took the girl into our arms when she was told and in the period immediately afterwards. The 'contact' was subsequently logged and nothing more came of it although we were both aware it could be questioned. Given the same situation again I would act in exactly the same way even with the benefit of hindsight - and I would hate to reach a point where I felt I could not use my own professional judgment to make that decision. I accept that teachers have to carefully consider their own 'safety' (from a legal perspective) but in that situation I would happily - and vocally - have argued my case against the school, the girl's parents, unions, or a court of law if it had come to it.

I'm genuinely intersted to hear the views of parents on this issue though because it's something that relates to me directly. I hope that the parents of the children I teach trust me to make the right decision in dealing with their child in a given situation that may involve having to comfort them, but maybe I'm being naive in thinking that? What are other people's views?

Exactly. And I have often tapped children on the shoulder to reassure them. The children do not find occasional contact threatening at all. Most children would like a hug every now and then. I have often had children come up to me and put their arms around me. I have to sensitively get them to release me but I have never had a complaint about contact with children. It is scaremongers who make this go too far and make parents think that any teacher that makes contact with a child has other intentions. Now i am not saying that I do make contact at all, as this might read as though I do. What I am saying is that teachers have to make careful judgements but it is also very hard working with young children because they are very tactile naturally.

[davieG]

Erm, why on earth not? Yes, teachers have to be very aware of their own actions and the potential consequences but there reaches a point where common decency and caring have to take priority. Obviously each 'situation' has to be judged individually - based on the child, what has happened, their age/gender, their background/religion/culture, even your perceived view of their parents/carers - but at no point are you dictated to that you can't reassure a child. Yes, rules have to be there for the protection of all concerned but they should also be interpreted with common sense rather than the blind assumption that you 'cannot do anything these days' - that's simply giving in to the politically correct brigade and is technically inaccurate. Teachers are told to avoid physical contact with children - but there are other ways of offering reassurance. In my opinion, this has all gone way too far.

I have, on a number of occasions during my teaching career, put a hand on the shoulder of a child who was very distressed. I remember one situation very clearly where a child was told - within school - that her older brother had been killed. IThe news should really never have been told to her in that environment but the child's parents/relatives couldn't be there and it fell to the school to tell her. Unsurprisingly, she fell apart. To leave a child in that situation with no physical reassurance seems to me to be nothing short of cruel and inhumane. Myself and another teacher both (not simultaneously!) took the girl into our arms when she was told and in the period immediately afterwards. The 'contact' was subsequently logged and nothing more came of it although we were both aware it could be questioned. Given the same situation again I would act in exactly the same way even with the benefit of hindsight - and I would hate to reach a point where I felt I could not use my own professional judgment to make that decision. I accept that teachers have to carefully consider their own 'safety' (from a legal perspective) but in that situation I would happily - and vocally - have argued my case against the school, the girl's parents, unions, or a court of law if it had come to it.

I'm genuinely intersted to hear the views of parents on this issue though because it's something that relates to me directly. I hope that the parents of the children I teach trust me to make the right decision in dealing with their child in a given situation that may involve having to comfort them, but maybe I'm being naive in thinking that? What are other people's views?

My daughter has been given specific instructions, not to cuddle, sit them on your knee in fact not to get into any close contact even when they put their arms out crying for cuddle, this is at a primary school as I said she certainly wasn't allowed to help this 5 year old change her knickers . Not to put plasters on or tend to any cuts, grazes etc.

I'm sure the interpretation of the 'rules' varies from school to school but I would have thought that if teachers were trained and then were vetted thoroughly before being employed then the rules wouldn't be necessary as common sense would prevail.

[AoWW]

My daughter has been given specific instructions, not to cuddle, sit them on your knee in fact not to get into any close contact even when they put their arms out crying for cuddle, this is at a primary school as I said she certainly wasn't allowed to help this 5 year old change her knickers . Not to put plasters on or tend to any cuts, grazes etc.

I'm sure the interpretation of the 'rules' varies from school to school but I would have thought that if teachers were trained and then were vetted thoroughly before being employed then the rules wouldn't be necessary as common sense would prevail.

Fooking hell - that's ridiculous. How sad to see where today's increasingly litigious society has got us. How do we reach a balance? Quite frankly, if I was the parent of that 5 year old I would be furious that no one helped her - perhaps suing the school for neglect would be the answer?! It's reaching a point where you're damned if you do - damned if you don't.

I'm assuming the school haven't yet got round to telling your daughter what time she should get up in the morning, which TV programmes are suitable viewing for her and how much sugar she is allowed in her tea? Give it time, though...! It's farcical and shows a completely lack of respect towards each teacher's professional judgement. This school's interpretation of the 'rules' certainly seems extreme and is indicative of a 'big brother' environment that I for one would not want to work in.

[davieG]

Fooking hell - that's ridiculous. How sad to see where today's increasingly litigious society has got us. How do we reach a balance? Quite frankly, if I was the parent of that 5 year old I would be furious that no one helped her - perhaps suing the school for neglect would be the answer?! It's reaching a point where you're damned if you do - damned if you don't.

I'm assuming the school haven't yet got round to telling your daughter what time she should get up in the morning, which TV programmes are suitable viewing for her and how much sugar she is allowed in her tea? Give it time, though...! It's farcical and shows a completely lack of respect towards each teacher's professional judgement. This school's interpretation of the 'rules' certainly seems extreme and is indicative of a 'big brother' environment that I for one would not want to work in.

Which is why I was saying that there are more important issues than money that need addressing at least that's how I would feel if I was a teacher, they're becoming robots with little respect and zero empowerment which is ironic considering industry and commerce have got quite a long way to moving from that position.

[Daggers]

My daughter has been given specific instructions

That's the Head and the Governors being arses, it's not a mandated position for teachers to follow. In fact, Every Child Matters legislation demands quite the opposite. Some school leaders have become so swallowed in red tape that they have forgotten what the priorities are in education; Most MP's never knew what they were to begin with.

If a child is in distress and the teacher is concerned about potential ramifications they can always get a TA to come into the room...my kids always hug the TA goodbye at the end of the day when I collect them.

[AoWW]

That's the Head and the Governors being arses, it's not a mandated position for teachers to follow. In fact, Every Child Matters legislation demands quite the opposite. Some school leaders have become so swallowed in red tape that they have forgotten what the priorities are in education; Most MP's never knew what they were to begin with.

If a child is in distress and the teacher is concerned about potential ramifications they can always get a TA to come into the room...my kids always hug the TA goodbye at the end of the day when I collect them.

And you haven't yet started legal proceedings against the debauch woman who hugs them back? She's brainwashed them, I tell you - they'll be scarred for life!

[Daggers]

I tell you - they'll be scarred for life!

With me as a father I'd take that as a given.