‘Gender balance in UK schools needs to change’

If a recent report is anything to go by it would seem that male teachers are heavily under-represented, particularly in UK primary schools. The findings have led to a call from Education Secretary Michael Gove for an increase in the number of teachers from a ‘wider variety of backgrounds’.

Over the last few years teaching staff made up entirely of women have not been uncommon in England. A recent review found that on average, for every 10 teaching roles within primary schools, only one of those positions will be taken up by a male teacher. However, by September 2013 Gove intends to raise this so that one in every three positions will be taken by a male teacher.

Tips on taking control of the classroom

You may be an NQT in your first teaching position or possibly a Year-1 teacher responsible for your first form class. Whether you’re just starting out or have a few years of experience behind you, feeling nervous is more common than you may think.

Building a presence in your classroom and exerting authority may not be something you’re used to. And developing a style that is authoritative but approachable may seem like a challenging prospect.

‘While you should be firm, it’s important not to be distant, a bit of warmth doesn’t go amiss,’ explains Julian Stanley, Chief Executive of the Teacher Support Network.

To achieve this balance you will have developed your own techniques and classroom strategies but here are a few that our teachers’ network has recommended.