Headteacher Praised For Telling Parents To ‘Do A Teacher Training Course’ In Emotional Letter

The last 12 months have undoubtedly been some of the most challenging for teachers, who have been forced to grapple with online learning and social distancing, all the while supporting children and parents.

Now, one headteacher has been praised for a letter sent out to parents, in which he urged them to 'do a teacher training course' following criticism towards staff.

PA)

Colin Dowland, head of Woodridge Primary school in North London, sent the letter this week, reminding parents just how hard teachers are working and thanking parents for their support.

However, he also spoke directly to those who had been critical of staff, suggesting they enrol in a teacher training course and even sharing a UCAS link to do so.

He wrote: "A number of parents have taken advantage of this new access to send highly critical messages of advice to teachers about how to do their jobs and questioning their training, skills and competence.

"Can I encourage all those particular parents, who now consider themselves to be educational experts, to sign up for teacher training at their earliest convenience, since there are never enough teachers and I suspect many will be leaving the profession after this year."

He added: "I will also update you if we have any teaching vacancies at Woodridge over the next few weeks, which if such messages continue, I am thoroughly expecting."

The letter has since gone viral on Twitter, where it has racked up thousands of comments and likes. And many have praised Colin for his words and for sticking up for his teachers.

One wrote: "I applaud this. It's cheeky, yes, but it is time we embraced a culture where unreasonable people are held to account and can be told they are being unreasonable. The customer is not always right."

While another added: "Love it !!!!! I'm saddened that in these times parents aren't more supportive of teachers who are doing their absolute best under the circumstances. Good for the author of the letter to make a stand."

PA)

And another said: "Crikey! You can feel the emotion coming from this head teacher can't you? He's made his point very well. It must be so utterly frustrating to have parents criticising his hard working staff. Good on him."

Colin has since spoken about sending the letter, telling the Times Educational Supplement: "I have had so many supportive emails from parents since the letter went out, and the truth is parents who are happy with things don't usually email the school, but they have today.

"I've had a deluge of lovely emails from parents thanking us for what we are doing and apologising on behalf of other parents who might have not taken a moment before firing off an email or a message."

Topics: Life News, News, School

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine