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Thousands of former postmen, driving instructors and nightclub bouncers are being hired as “cheap labour” to teach children as young as five, the Standard can reveal.
Ministers insist that only qualified teachers should give lessons but schools are employing untrained staff — also including former security guards and soldiers — as “cover supervisors” on as little as £6.50 an hour.
A damning report prepared for the Government reveals how the inexperienced staff regularly teach classes for weeks at a time, putting children's education at risk.
The situation will worsen, especially in London, under new rules this term.
The pattern emerged in a 538-page evaluation of the Government's flagship reforms to teachers' working hours.
In response to lobbying from unions, ministers introduced laws to limit their workloads six years ago.
But the research team at London Metropolitan University — which surveyed 1,800 headteachers, 3,200 teachers and 2,400 support staff — found 80 per cent of state schools were forced to use unqualified support staff to cover lessons when teachers were absent.
Some of these staff are teaching assistants with “higher level” training, which means they are allowed to teach, but cover supervisors should simply keep order while pupils complete work set by teachers.
The report said: “While in theory the cover supervisors' role was to supervise, most reported that they sometimes did more than this.”
A few covered classes for more than two weeks in primary schools or for as much as a term of regular lessons in secondary schools.
Professor Merryn Hutchings, who led the research, said her findings should concern ministers and parents.
“Cover supervisors were teaching — setting a task, giving advice and commenting on pupils' work,” she said.
“They are not trained or in any way qualified for that. The people we met had had careers working in the post office or being a driving instructor.”
She added: “It's fine to use them for short periods but when we find that some of them in secondary schools are taking the bottom set for weeks on end, I think that is distinctly worrying.”
Teachers were also concerned. One told the researchers: “I feel it's cheap labour.”
Some headteachers admitted their use of support staff “was driven largely by budgetary concerns”.
Schools in London with pupils from the poorest families were less likely to use cover supervisors.
This was because headteachers believed “challenging” pupils needed fully trained teachers to maintain discipline and provide an effective education.
From this term, more untrained staff will be hired as new rules mean teachers must only cover “rarely” for absent colleagues.
Professor Hutchings suggested this would force some London schools to hire cover supervisors.
A separate study last week found pupils who spent too long with untrained staff fell behind in class.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, which refused to sign the workload deal with ministers in 2003, said: “It is a dereliction of duty to put people who are not qualified teachers in front of children and expect that everything will be all right. It won't.
“In the end it is the teacher that makes the critical difference. Every child should have the right to a qualified teacher.”
Christina McAnea, head of education at Unison, which represents school support staff, said: “Support staff are not substitutes for teachers, but what they can do is help children to get the most out of school. It is time that their wages caught up.”
A Department for Children spokeswoman said: “There has been a revolution in schools in the last decade.
“We now have the highest number of teachers for a generation, the most ever support staff, record rises in pay, and excellent training and career development.”
Reader views (33)
I qualified as a teacher in 1975 and have taught in the secondary sector until recently when I became ill and took long term sickness leave. I applied for early retirement on the grounds of ill health but was turned down. In the meantime I was dismissed. It took about two years to recover from my illness and, because of the time it had taken, I decided to go for cover supply to ease myself back into the teaching situation. Over two terms I did seven days. I have since applied for sixteen vacancies for full time posts, had one interview, and I'm still without a job.I even have a current CRB Disclosure certificate. If any parent wants proof that I have been cleared to be in a class with their children without presenting a moral or physical risk I can show my certificate on demand. As a parent I would exercise my right to know if my child's supply cover has been checked and I would want to see the proof particularly since corners are being cut to save money.
- Phil, Brentwood, 10/09/2009 23:09
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If this is true,a question begging an answer,my understanding is that the police have to vet people who intend working with children,wonder if this is being done.
If this is being done then it must be known to government.
Sounds like these people are not trained to work with children
wonder how Mr Minister Balls will spin this one or will he say so what as he has done before.
Time this Nuliebour bunch of incompetents were dispensed with they have been an unmitigated disaster for what remains of this country.
- Roy.C, wigan.england., 10/09/2009 21:59
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Why should Politicians care when they have proven that we will allow them to import ready educated , highly Qualified people from around the World to work in the UK, thus taking our jobs and making the education of our kids irrelevant. Thats the beauty of their EU ' free movement of people'....thats how in a thousand years from now we British will probably be known as the Gypsies of Europe'; as we cant find a home,. school, Hospital or job in our own Country and are forced to raom abroaqd in our Caravans !
- Clif, London, 10/09/2009 19:28
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Oh dear! So posties are too stupid to supervise kids in the classroom, eh? Believe me, I work in educational support, and I have seen many a teacher who should not run a whelk stall, let alone look after a class of 30 teenagers. Of course, being a postie is not all that much of job, and doesn't require a degree; not like those important City workers, stamping this piece of paper and stapling it to that piece of paper.
- Steven Pyne, Calgary, Canada, 10/09/2009 17:47
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Thanks a bunch Nuews Liarbore. Teflon B'Liar's much trumpeted 'Education, Education... ederkayshun' is to be seen for what it is. 'Smoke N Mirrors', all 'Fur Coats & No Nickers'. Of course Labour will still deny anything is wrong, that everything is 'Tickety Boo'.
Measnwhile Schools are turning out the next generation of Chavs, Chavettes, Mungs and Trainee Doley scroungers. Of course the Left of Liarbore will say that its..'All Maggies fault..!' Its true, they still believe this nonsense, and still peddle the myth that 'All societies ills are Thstchers Fault'. Of course they say nothing about the past 12 years of Labour incompetence, lies and politcal interferance into every aspect of society.
- Uncle Vanya, East Angular Area UK, 10/09/2009 17:46
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Keith Price
As you are so well educated could you please explain what a Posyie is?"
proof, were it needed, that you lost your silly argument, Jon
- Keith Price, Luton England, 10/09/2009 16:43
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This simply is not good enough. Why is it that we Brits do everything on the cheap? In Finland you need five (5) years education to teach Primary school. They need the equivalent of a Masters degree in a specialist subject to teach Secondary children. Quite right.
With 3 children at London schools, my wife and I find it incredible that people with no or few GCSEs are allowed to work as teaching assistants. Parents should insist that only graduates support teachers.
It isn't just the well being of our children that is at stake, it is the future well being of our society that is at risk. No wonder so many leave school illiterate and innumerate at 16 years old.
Ed Balls and Michael Gove need to get a grip and ensure that the money is there to employ only graduates as teaching assistants. If Finland can do it, so can we. It's high time we stopped being so cheap in our expectations. Existing teaching assistants should be given bursaries to obtain Open University degrees in teaching. The technology is there, let's bloody use it.
- Paul Lettan, Old St Pancras, London, 10/09/2009 16:39
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From looking at the types of scum coming out of our schools , no wonder schools are employing bouncers as teachers . This probably only occuring in places like south london where these kids are walking around with knifes and guns with no respect for anyone
- Adam, london, 10/09/2009 16:26
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This has been happening for years in State schools. Politicians don't actually believe that teaching requires proper training as that's too expensive - they are happy to make do with anything cheap to cover teachers. Three years ago, I used to lose at least a period a day that should have been spent on admin for my department covering for absent teachers in other disciplines. Then the new day dawned, teachers were allowed time for marking etc by the strategem of schools employing cheap and often unsuitable labour - I would have enjoyed having ex soldiers or former bouncers in my classes, but usually got people who had been unemployed or minimally employed who were not cut out for working in schools.
- Kiwi Expat, London, UK, 10/09/2009 15:53
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Keith Price
As you are so well educated could you please explain what a Posyie is?
- John, London, 10/09/2009 15:26
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This has been happening for years. My father was a maths teacher but retired 10 years ago but even at that time his school was drafting dinner ladies and catering staff in to "supervise" kids when teachers were away.
- Mcw, London, 10/09/2009 15:20
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Alan Johnson is indeed a former postie,-and that's about all he is fit for, Zanulabour would promote wurzel Gummidge as the agricultural minister if there was no one else available,still with a bit of luck they will be all be on the dole next year.
- Auf Deutsch, Canterbury Kentish Gulag EUSSR., 10/09/2009 14:48
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Bouncers teaching? Figures.
That is the level that our education system has sunken to.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 10/09/2009 13:43
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Why are teachers so precious that they should only cover "rarely" for absent colleagues. Other professionals do.
- Tony, London, 10/09/2009 13:34
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People with real world experience ! Can't be a bad thing !
- Dave Morris, Sunderland UK, 10/09/2009 13:26
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Keith Price, so if they are posties etc they are thick eh? nice to know prejudice and ignorance is still alive and kicking.
"
No Brian. Teachers all have to have a degree. To be a bouncer you need nothing, not even a brain.To be a posyie a talent for walking. None of that is cut it in the classroom, where the interactive white-board is key
- Keith Price, Luton England, 10/09/2009 13:20
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Does anyone think that the political will and more importantly, effort and money will be forthcoming under the next govt. whoever they may be ?
It took us 20 years to get here, and it will take a big change in attitudes, tax policy, and regulation to get us anywhere near our European neighbours who insist on PROPER training and diplomas for anyone working with children.
How long before the abuse stories start rearing their heads as a result of letting the unqualified and almost certainly un-checked (CRB) loose on our children ?
- Madmax, London, UK, 10/09/2009 13:10
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The bouncers, driving instructors and postmen can teach them how to get dressed, how to eat with a knife and fork and toilet train them, considering the parents never bother to teach them (re another report in the press today).
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 10/09/2009 12:54
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So much for Tony Blair and New labour's mantra....Education, Education, Education. We need a general election NOW!
- Mark, London, 10/09/2009 12:02
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Now if they could get some ex servicemen into the schools that would be an improvement
- Mr S.Port, London, 10/09/2009 11:49
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Welcome to Gordon Browns Britain. He takes the taxes and cuts the services.
- David Pearce, Manchester, 10/09/2009 11:45
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Keith Price, so if they are posties etc they are thick eh? nice to know prejudice and ignorance is still alive and kicking.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 10/09/2009 11:32
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They'll be press ganging 'teachers' off the street next.
Mind you it might lead to an improvement.
Charley Dickens thou should be living at this hour.
- Hantsboy, Fleet UK, 10/09/2009 11:24
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I rather like the idea of bouncers running a class, especially if thay are allowed to give an occasional playfull 'slap'.
'We're dooin' maffs now, you gotta problem wiv that ?"
Let's see the the little knife carrying yobs have just a little of their own bullying lifestyle turned back on them
Oh yes, bring it on !
- James, London UK, 10/09/2009 11:13
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>>Thousands of former postmen, driving instructors and nightclub bouncers are being hired as “cheap labour” to teach children as young as five, the Standard can reveal.
You forget, the Home Secretary is a former postman!
- Peter, Harrow, UK, 10/09/2009 11:03
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What has Mr Gove got to say on this? He is keen on MOT's for Teachers, Supply Teachers and an all Graduate Profession teaching in our schools. But Mr Rent-a-quote has been very silent on this and even more secretive on future funding for schools. At the moment this is left to the discretion of the Head Teacher. Is Mr Gove going to overrule Head Teachers?
- S Jones, Kennington England, 10/09/2009 10:58
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At least school uniform rules will be strictly enforced!
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 10/09/2009 10:38
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"If your wearing jeans and trainers your not coming into class".
"Sorry mate, not on the list, not coming in".
Can't wait.
- Hansel, London, 10/09/2009 10:33
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So when Austerity George gets in and has to find cuts in Public Spending he will reverse this trend. Watch out for low flying pigs in schools and hospitals.
- S Sedgewick, Bexley England, 10/09/2009 10:31
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The Department for Children spokeswomble spouted: "There has been a revolution in schools in the last decade".
THE WAY THIS LABOUR BANDWAGON IS GOING, THERE WILL BE A REVOLUTION ON THE STREETS, NEVER MIND IN THE SKOOLS.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 10/09/2009 10:02
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At a time when we are witnessing real falls in the standards of both english and mathematics in English schools it is madness to bring in non teachers to take lessons and attempt to teach our children, This has to be illegal as well as stupid and criminally irresponsible. How Heads acn even consider it let alone approve it, is beyond me
- Keith Price, Luton England, 10/09/2009 10:01
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Nu Labor go away!!
- Georgie, Islington, London, 10/09/2009 09:36
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If this is true what happened to the Labour promise of Education ,Education, Education??
- Tonyjohnson, Hythe Kent, 10/09/2009 09:32
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