Ofsted’s new chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has ruffled a few feathers already this week with outspoken comments on teaching standards and the role of schools in supporting children outside the classroom. We’ll have to see whether or not he lives up to the ‘Dirty Harry’ persona he seems to be cultivating.
What interests us more are his comments in the Evening Standard yesterday about poor parenting.
Sir Michael says that schools are having to act as ‘surrogate families’ with some schools having to take the place of some mothers and fathers who cannot fulfil basic parenting tasks.
Our experience working with complex families echoes some of this. We know that the most vulnerable parents often struggle to get their children up, fed and clothed and ready for school because of the chaotic lives they lead.
But we’d be concerned if Sir Michael was suggesting that the role of schools in safeguarding and supporting the most vulnerable pupils should end. Indeed, we’d like to see more schools doing better at this work.
Our Islington Young Carers service filmed a DVD recently to raise awareness of the problems some of these young people face. They interviewed a teacher who admitted to not recognising that one of the pupils in her class who was struggling was a young carer. This child was failed by his school. This has got to change.
What happens at home has an impact on the classroom and it is time for teachers to take more – not less – of an interest in what might be happening beyond the schools gates.
Our ideal scenario is of schools and teachers working with other professionals to ensure that when families and children need support, they get it. Whilst this is made more difficult by the cuts we know from experience this can achieve results for parents and children. Referrals from schools and education agencies to our Building Bridges Intensive Family Support Service have doubled. This service is successful at strengthening families and supporting parents and children.
With more pressure than ever before on parents because of welfare cuts, family finances being squeezed and poor employment and housing prospects more children are likely to be more worried about what is happening at home, whether there will be anything on the table for tea or whether they will be able to stay in the accommodation they’re living in.
Teachers have a key role in supporting children when the pressure on their parents impacts on their education. The best teachers are those who look out for their kids, go that extra mile and help to challenge inequality and disadvantage.
Society including the education system is currently failing some of these vulnerable children. We were horrified at the proportion of boys with special educational needs and in receipt of free school meals who were charged in connection with the summer disturbances.
Let’s hope that Sir Michael’s knowledge and experience of teaching in one of the most deprived areas in the country means that he’ll be pushing schools to work more closely with outside agencies and look beyond the school gate.
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Anthony McCaul is senior media and campaigns officer for the charity Family Action. He writes here in a personal capacity.
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