Samantha Twomey, Head of the Preparatory Division at Oxford’s New Hall School on why male teachers are so important as role models in early years and primary settings
In November 2022, MP for Mansfield Ben Bradley addressed the House of Commons sharing his belief that the number of male primary school teachers should increase, highlighting why it is: “socially and culturally important”. He also suggested that The Equality Act 2010 might be employed to support young men where they are significantly under-represented in professions – such as in primary teaching.
Here, the figures speak for themselves. The last assessment of the UK school workforce showed that only 14% of primary and nursery teachers are male – that is significantly less than one in five. At an average of just under 300 pupils per school, there are nearly one million children with no male role model in their educational setting. “In the first primary school that I worked in, I was the only male member of teaching staff, and I was the first male teacher that most children in my class had ever had,” notes Matthew Oiller, Year 5 Class Teacher and Subject Leader in Mathematics at New Hall School.
“It’s nice to think that we may help to inspire some of the young people that we are lucky enough to work with. Teaching at New Hall is extremely fulfilling, and I take great pride in working with a fantastic team to help the children reach their full potential, as well as prepare them for the challenges that they may face outside of the classroom,” says Hugo May, our Year 2 Class Teacher
“A balance of positive interactions with female and male role models is essential – today’s children are growing up in a difficult time”
Indeed, the Preparatory Divisions at New Hall School is bucking a national trend. From Year 2 upwards, there are male teachers in every one of the year groups. These teachers are responsible for their own classes and, as English and mathematics are taught in sets, they teach a significant number of the pupils across their cohort. So why is this important to New Hall? Our school focuses on the significant number of male staff in the Preparatory Divisions not to diminish the wonderful work, talents and commitment of our female teachers, but to encourage our male pupils to consider teaching and education for their future careers. The school community should reflect the wider community.
Year 5 and 6 pupils also benefit from the increase in the provision of subject specialist teaching. They are taught various lessons by teachers from New Hall’s Senior Divisions. The benefit of this is two-fold: pupils are challenged by teachers who have an in-depth understanding of areas such as science and politics and, as the percentage of male teachers in secondary education is higher, they also have a greater number of male role models with whom they can identify.
“I believe our mix of male and female teachers makes for a strong and healthy school community. The children are seeing positive role models of both genders, engaging in learning of all kinds,” concludes Robin Field, Year 6 Class Teacher
A balance of positive interactions with female and male role models is essential. Today’s children are growing up in a difficult time, where masculinity and what it means to be male can be portrayed negatively. It is our responsibility, as educators, to help all pupils understand what their future may look like by ensuring they have regular exposure to trustworthy, respectable, and consistent male role models.
New Hall School newhallschool.co.uk
Further reading: Ravenscourt Park Prep on the importance of looking outwards
You may also like...
