From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

TDA’S DRIVE TO RECRUIT MORE MALE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

In response to a new drive by the Training and Development Agency (TDA) for men to train as primary school teachers, Patrick Nash, Teacher Support Network’s Chief Executive, said: "Teacher Support Network welcomes the implementation of the male primary school advisory panel, which aims to attract more men into primary teaching.

"The charity strongly believes that, particularly at primary level, teachers can be one of the most constant and stable influences in a child’s life. It is important that young people come into contact with diverse role models, including male teachers.

"Twenty four per cent of calls to Teacher Support Line came from male teachers last academic year. The main issues for male callers are work-related stress, workload, career development and relationships with colleagues and managers.

"Often Teacher Support Line takes calls from people who are the only male teacher in their school. These men feel a sense of isolation and find it hard to talk to female colleagues about certain issues or admit that they are having difficulties at work. “We also receive calls from male teachers who face discipline problems as badly-behaved male pupils are sent to them as it is felt male teachers are the right people to resolve the issues."

Patrick Nash continued:

"Teacher Support Network’s advice to male teachers who may be considering leaving the profession is:

• talk to someone about your concerns;
• consider what other options are open to you, other than leaving the profession;
• don’t worry if you feel you have a lack of knowledge early on - you’re not expected to know everything;
• look at what is going well in your class – what impact are you making on the youngsters in your class that you can feel good about.

"The main reason male teachers give for entering the profession is because they genuinely want to make a difference.

"They are caring and committed people who want to work with, and relate to, young people. This is the same reason that many women get into teaching."

Case Studies: John, 53, a history teacher in a South London secondary school said:

"I’ve been teaching for 30 years and entered the profession at a time when there was a much high proportion of male teachers.

"From working with younger colleagues, it seems that men are becoming increasingly wary of going to work in primary schools. This is to the detriment our young people, many of whom come from households of single mothers leaving them with no constant male role model in their lives."

Victor, 35, a business studies teacher in a sixth form college in the North East said:

"I wanted to become a teacher to have a job that was worthwhile. I find the stress a challenge for me, sometimes it’s difficult to multi-task as there’s so many aspects to the job. I have to work hard to organise my time.

"Also, I find dealing with female issues problematic as they’re not in my area of expertise! I tend to refer female students to mentors of other female teachers."