Much has been written on whether only qualified teachers should be allowed to teach in free schools. In the state sector, only teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are permitted to teach in schools. In the independent sector this is not the case. So which is the right approach?
I have always believed that good teaching is all about the personality of the teacher. Yes, it is essential that teachers have the appropriate subject knowledge but if they are unable to transmit that to their pupils, they are going to struggle.
What is required is passion and enthusiasm for the subject and a desire to engender that enthusiasm in the pupils that you teach. A good teacher encourages their pupils to be involved in the learning process and to get excited about learning new things. Teacher training does not guarantee this. Teacher training can help hone skills but it cannot turn a boring teacher into an inspiring one.
At Sunningdale we look for the right people, whether or not they have. Most of the staff do have QTS when they join but in the last few years we have put a number of members of staff through teacher training while they have been with us and it has been hugely successful.
I would encourage the government to leave the decision down to individual heads. No headmaster or headmistress wants a poor teacher on their staff so they are not going to employ just anyone. They should, though, have the freedom to find the best people for the job.
