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Ofsted warns boring teachers to motivate pupils
Tim Ross, Education Correspondent5 Jan 2009
BORING teachers are to be targeted in a drive against poor classroom behaviour.
It comes after the education watchdog warned teaching in primary schools is "pedestrian" and said secondary school pupils are often given tasks that are not demanding enough. Oftsed chief Christine Gilbert said: "Behaviour in our schools is generally very good. But there's what I would describe as low-level disruption where children are bored and not motivated so they start to use their abilities for other ends."
But John Bangs, the head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said: "The quality of teaching over the last 10 to 15 years is the best it's ever been.
"I wish she would present her findings in a way that reflects reality.
"It would be helpful if inspectors gave schools more information on how to improve.
"They need a two-way conversation about what's going on."
Reader views (6)
Dull children will find any lessons involving intellectual content boring.
- Gerry, exeter england, 06/01/2009 09:11
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I really feel for teachers - the have endless onerous targets to meet from constant government meddling; They have to monitor for signs of abuse, give lessons on manners, how to be happy, teach monosyllabic kids how to interact with people in the real world away from an Xbox etc etc.... All this and more whilst being sworn at and assaulted by kids they can't exclude. Now they are being accused of being boring!
- Steve, Hereford, 05/01/2009 22:13
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Perhaps if Ofsted was less boring and less clip board obsessed we could get some real inspiration into schools.
- Roger Parkes, T Wells, 05/01/2009 18:58
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Maybe the problem is that teachers now only have time to teach to exams (SATs, etc), which is incredibly dull, rather than following a broad curriculum but with time available to expand on areas that specifically interest the children.
- Andy, London, 05/01/2009 17:10
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It would be a wise move if students at our schools were tested for the effects of drugs and booze on a Monday morning. Bored children become very interested in the lasting signs of drugs when told they will be subjected to andom testing. In some areas rug taking is rife with disastrous effects on behaviout an levels of concentration. But hey, it's easier to blame boring teachers.
- T Brown, St Albans England, 05/01/2009 16:16
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What happened to teaching them something useful like they did ten years ago??
- Steveo, London, NW1, 05/01/2009 15:46
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