Recruit former solders as teaachers

[Grumpmeister]

Given the numbers of feral 'yoof' this could be a workable plan. I'd love to see a class trying to act up when they are being taught by a former RSM, they'd be deaf by the end of the day.

Ex-servicemen and women should be retrained as teachers to bring military style discipline to tough inner city schools, a think tank has said.
The government is being urged to adopt a US-style programme returning former soldiers, sailors and airmen to school.

The Centre for Policy Studies says ex-soldiers could have a profound effect on discipline and learning.

The Conservatives are backing the idea, saying children need order and role models for self-discipline.

A report by think tanks says the fact that ex-soldiers had a macho image could help engender respect - particularly among boys.

The Troops to Teachers (T3) programme in the US retrains soldiers with a minimum of 10 years' experience, and a degree, as fully-certified teachers.

Those with lower qualifications are retrained as vocational teachers.

Some 16,000 service personnel have qualified as teachers since T3 was set up in the US in 1994.

The report said the programme had been an "outstanding success", with some 88% remaining in the profession three years after they qualified.

This compared to the usual retention rate for teachers in the US of 50% after five years.

The report suggested ex-servicemen could have a particularly strong effect on discipline and learning.

"This is not merely because ex-servicemen are sure of their own moral authority.

"They are not intimidated by adrenaline-fuelled adolescents: they have, unlike most teachers, been there before," it added.

It also argued that the perception that these teachers had been in a "macho profession" would be well-received by inner city children.

"Whether we like it or not, children from more deprived neighbourhoods often respond to raw physical power," it added.

'Terrific boost'

Chief of Defence Staff Lord Guthrie said knife crime, drugs and violence were reported daily in the inner cities.

He said the T3 programme was a "possible answer" that had been shown to work in the US.

"This will not, of course, solve all the problems of the inner city. But it will help," he said.

"It will provide youths with role models who understand discipline and self-restraint at the time in their lives when they need it most. And it will be a terrific boost for our Armed Services."

The report says that a similar programme, run by a charity called Skill Force, is already being piloted in Scotland and could be expanded with government help.

Shadow Children’s Secretary Michael Gove said helping soldiers retrain as teachers would be great for our schools.

"Many British schools need a change of culture because they face real problems with violence and bad behaviour.

"Children, particularly in the worst schools, desperately need order and role models for self-discipline."

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said: "We know that professionals with industry experience can make really inspirational teachers and we are always looking to recruit teachers who have skills in other fields."

The Ministry of Defence said it was already working with the Department for Children, Schools and Families on a scheme to encourage more ex-military personnel to consider secondary-level teaching.

A spokesman said help and advice on pursuing a career in education formed part of the resettlement package for service leavers.

[Snoopy]

I've been saying it for years.

The only problem is that the Teaching Profession has become so riddled with unnecessary rules and regulations and is so far up its own arse that the military would soon lose heart. That is why the schools (and thousands qualify as teachers every year) are always short of people. Most who qualify either leave within the first couple of years totally disillusioned at the crap they have to put up with from their employers (ie the Government) or cannot find a place once they have finished at Uni because they have "no experience" so go off and work elsewhere.
Our local high school employs a number of NQTs (Newly Qualified Teachers) each new school year. They never renew the initial one year contract because they find NQTs are cheaper to employ. Once the NQT drops the Newly bit they get a raise in pay and the school doesn't want to have to fund it. Good financial management some might say but the kids never know who is teaching them from one term to the next. Utter confusion every September as teachers try to settle in and the kids do their usual trick of pushing the boundaries to see how far they can go. By the time it's all settled in, respect established (where possible) they go back to the beginning and start again. In her 4 years at high school the teenage hormone wreck has yet to have a qualified teacher of English. Currently she is being taught English by a Home Economics Teacher so old as to have been at school with Moses.
With policies like that it is small wonder the school is on it's fourth Headteacher since the kid started there.
Move schools? Where to? .... this is the best in the area.

Fortunately Mrs S#2 is qualified to teach and picks up the slack.

[Nick]

We stayed with a friend in London who told us about a school trip she had been on recently. One of the fathers came to help out - retired Colonel (but still quite young). He had a way of saying "Line Up" and "Silence" which had the kids parading like obedient squaddies. SHe said he had natural authority. Apparently it was remarkable.

[Snoopy]

Funny that ... 30 little scrotes (my own among them) attend Cubs one a week. "Akela" is an ex navy man. He shouts at them, bawls them out for getting out of line, makes them show hands, backs and fronts, to prove they washed before attending. Yells at kids with dirty shoes and shows them how to clean them etc etc. The boys all adore him and there is a waiting list to join.
The point is if you let kids know the parameters and stick to them they will respond positively. Too many wimmin in High School Teaching is another problem that needs sorting.
How can 5'2" with eyes of blue aged 23 with no experience of life be expected to deal with 20 6 foot boys full of raging 15 year old testosterone. It's against nature.
Now an ex Army man/woman would soon slap the buggers into shape.
The most feared NCO at RAF xxxxxxxx in my days there was a Warrant Officer Waaf. She stood no nonsense from anyone and could bellow across the parade square with the best of them.

[TG]

I used to go to the school in Leicester that is the subject of the present BBC2 series 'The Choir'.

This was back in the late 70's. All I wanted to do while I was there was leave (and I often did) due to complete disinterest. I have memories of only a couple of teachers who did anything to inspire anyone.

Just drab by the numbers education enlivened by a bit of bullying..

But watching the series I see some teachers who are genuine committed, passionate people. Oh how different my school years might have been.

I don't think any of the teachers I have been looking at are ex forces. Just people capable of looking these kids in the eyes and engaging them and inspiring them.

[Nick]

I went to school in the 60s. Virtually all my teachers were ex-servicemen (WW2). All were strict. I learnt a lot!

[TG]

I went to school in the 60s. Virtually all my teachers were ex-servicemen (WW2). All were strict. I learnt a lot!

Yeah but everyone was ex forces then.

'if there is no-one to fight, teach.'

'if you have the DSO and bar, teach Nick!'

 

[Snoopy]

I went to school in the 60s. Virtually all my teachers were ex-servicemen (WW2). All were strict. I learnt a lot!

I went to school in the fifties   Our ex soldier teachers were still bleeding from their wounds. 




Actually when we, as a family, went to the Remembrance Sunday parade (And what ever happened to that fine tradition) I recall being surprised that so many of my teachers were marching with the British Legion and by the number of medals they all had.

[The Moan Ranger]

Most of my teachers at my Grammar school were ex forces. Hard but fair.

Fuck with them and they would fuck with you.

Play fair, it came back in spades - they were all dying to impart their wisdom (including how to strip a BMC A-series engine) to those that chose to learn.

The vast majority got the point - even those that we thought would be kicked out - and a few did at O level stage. They went on to be successful in life, if not in school. BUT they learned the value of learning and the need to constantly educate youself - in what any way suits you.

The hunger for knowledge should always outweigh the hunger for food. No-one in this country will ever starve.

I left school with only eight O levels and two A levels (piss poor for that school) but it taught me discipline and the want to constantly learn.

For that, I have ex Army, RAF and Navy teachers to thank.

Even Mr Scoble and his "loose" Physics lessons where he went on about his apiary, how wasps were cunning bastards, and what pipe he was going to buy next, were educational.

He held a class in awe. He was about sixty five then and still held two of the P.E. Classes each week. He taught and still flattened all the sixth formers.

Hard man. Hard rules. We all loved him. He even re-valved my smoking Austin 1300 as part of a project when I was seventeen.

[Darwins Selection]

I can add nothing but my total agreement to what you have all said.

A number of my older teachers had been officers in the first and second wars and were firm but fair.

What a tragedy that it is all gone now. 

[TG]

...I can add nothing but my total agreement to what you have all said...

You went to Lancaster boys as well?! OMG! Small world innit! Were you in the choir?

[Darwins Selection]

...I can add nothing but my total agreement to what you have all said...

You went to Lancaster boys as well?! OMG! Small world innit!

Were you in the choir?

Not all of them, no.

[Marley's Ghost (Imbiber of Spirits)]

...I can add nothing but my total agreement to what you have all said...

You went to Lancaster boys as well?! OMG! Small world innit!

Were you in the choir?

Not all of them, no.