Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

You are probably right Gordon. I think some kind of social revolution would be necessary to make meaningful and useful change. I suspect that this is unlikely to happen.
I fully recommend a book written by Peter Pook, possibly Britain's funniest neglected writer called The Teacher's HandPook, in which it is reflected that the single most prominent reason for teachers failing to commend respect is their inappropriate dress code.
On the other hand I also find that respect is a quality that is unlikely to be offered up by individuals who do not recognise it as something which anyone, least of all themselves is actually due.
Sorry to be pessimistic

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

I am relaying correct safeguarding procedures with regard to use of restraint, not giving my own personal definition. And as for the fact that no complaint was made, again safeguarding procedures would expect that any inappropriate behaviour should be investigated regardless of whether a complaint had been made. The school authority had a duty to investigate through the correct safeguarding channels (safeguarding used to be known as child protection).
As for removing the pupil from the classroom, if he refused to leave when told, then the teacher should have called for assistance immediately.
And I agree about the human element and reacting instinctively - I work with some violent and dangerous young people who can test the patience to say the least. I have had extensive training in avoiding and managing disruptive behaviour and risk managing situations. I would say that the main criteria is to keep yourself physically safe whilst ensuring the safety of the young person and others present - for the adult to involve themselves in a physical altercation could well escalate the situation and significantly increase the risk.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

The kids assaulted the teacher who defended himself from what he thought was going to be a more serious assault. The kids then threw a chair at him which proves he was right. The kid should be dealt with by the police. The headteacher should be sacked. The school governor's who sacked him are incompetent and should be replaced immediately.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

I can go wi that no problem.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

Neil for prime minister. With common sense like that you can't go wrong. :D:D

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

Bear in mind that school governors are unpaid and (for most schools) it's very hard to attract candidates to fill the posts.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

I know that but what chance have we of sorting out the problems in schools if we allow people who think the teacher was wrong to run our schools?

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

And therein lies the problem in this particular safeguarding case, people without training and nous are interpreting laws and screwing up...

Anne's post is wholly correct, internal investigation is the first step and safeguarding are made aware of the circumstances and that an investigation is underway. In this particular instance I have no doubt that the safeguarding team would have accepted that the teacher was sent for training and given a wrist slap as a suitable response and would have closed the file.

The school and governors on the other hand do need investigating by Ofsted. e.g. Was suitable training given? Was there a risk assessment in place to ensure the safety of teachers in a canteen? What safeguarding investigation training have the governers had?

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but (broadly speaking) what if the mentality which makes someone think that this teacher's actions were wrong is the same mentality which makes someone volunteer to be a governor?

Why do we even need governors? They seem to be inserted into the hierarchy of paid employees which starts at the teacher and ends at the secretary of state for education.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

You're quoting 'Correct safeguarding procedures', Ann. Do you agree with them or are they imposed on you against your better judgement?
More important, how many of these young persons have you converted to a better way of life and behaviour? And how many have ridden over you roughshod?

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

Another thought(ran out of edit time)- the adults with 'extensive training in avoiding and managing disruptive behaviour and risk managing situations' may survive unharmed, they're trained for it. But the same can't be said for the many other young people who come up against these out of control young persons-they're the ones who will suffer.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

As for your postscript post..the young people would not come up against out of control young persons if it hadn't been allowed to escalate to that point in the first place.

I'll say it again, nothing wrong with the principles of safeguarding, it's how they are interpreted by the untrained that's the problem.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

I'm really sorry for being controversial and I'm not even saying that I agree with everything I'm saying, I'm just telling people the way things are for people working with young people.
Professionals need to be protected in their work, and given the escalating number of young people who are out of control (I don't work in education but have many links to people who do) I honestly don't know what the answer is.
I've previously for many years worked in and managed residential child care services, working with some very damaged children, in my current job I've had a police marker on my address in case of emergency from repercussions for my actions. I've also worked with a psychologist specialising in behavioural problems in young people, and from my knowledge and experience maybe the answer is to avoid confrontation whilst addressing the issues which contribute to the behaviour. However this is no answer to the situation the teacher in question found himself in - no doubt properly trained people may have been able to avoid the situation, but teachers - in my opinion - do not necessarily receive the correct training to equip them to deal with seriously disruptive pupils - after all their remit is to teach and impart knowledge.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

Don't apologise..You're not being controversial, you're being factual. Your experience at the sharp end has given you some insights that others don't immediately see until they are given an alternative view to consider.

Re: Sir! Would you like a milkshake?
 

Thanks Guiness, but I completely realise I'm giving the corporate line with no consideration for the person doing the job and putting up with the flack they receive - unfortunately that's the way it is. My main concern as is the vast majority of people working with children and young people is to achieve the best outcome for them possible, although given the outside influences including family, peers and lifestyle it's extremely difficult.