Have any of you ever had problems with teaching a child one-to-one in schools or music centres etc?

I teach generally in groups of up to 4 children at the early learning stages, this usually cuts to 2 in a year or so, and later to 1 when they reach secondary level at school, particularly grade 3/4+. However, last week one of my weaker beginner string players (in a primary school) decided to give up - which I didn't argue much about - this leaves me with just one child in that group. This seemed to draw attention to the music organiser in the school who said that i couldn't teach him one-to-one due to 'child protection and it was school policy to enforce this .... etc etc'.

I am well aware of child protection laws. In this case, where I teach in the assembly hall of the school with windows completely surrounding, and the room being used as the only way from one end of the school to another, meaning staff and pupils pass through (silently) a lot of the time, I find it a little unreasonable to be told that I try to arrange to have another pupil sit in while I teach the remaining child (I'm sure this is what I will inevitably have to do - it's not too much of a problem). I would prefer to teach all my pupils individually, although this I'm sure will never be the case. If this was the case however, it's unfortunate that I leave myself open as the child may misconstrue something I might have said ......

Any thoughts on the matter of child protection and individual tuition would be great .....

Thanks!

That's ridiculous - there are plenty of students having individual music lessons in schools. This is what the police check thing is all about. (Have you got a police-check form?) As long as there's a window in the door, I think they're being overly paranoid, and in your case, with people walking through the room all the time.....??? What do they possibly think could happen???

Perhaps they've had a problem in this school before and want to cover themselves.

Violinia

QUOTE

where I teach in the assembly hall of the school with windows completely surrounding, and the room being used as the only way from one end of the school to another, meaning staff and pupils pass through (silently) a lot of the time, I find it a little unreasonable to be told that I try to arrange to have another pupil sit in while I teach the remaining child

I too think this is totally unreasonable.

In many schools students have individual lessons in tiny practice rooms with just room for a piano and two chairs - and maybe no window in the door - eeeeeeeeeek !

Yes I think they are being paranoid.

Maggie

I agree this is way over the top. I teach nearly 30 pupils in primary school, who all have one to one lessons. The whole point of police checks is to try and make sure pupils are safe. Also, there are plenty of other teaching staff who work one to one, for example teaching assistants helping individual children with reading, etc, children with special needs having individual coaching. In all my years of teaching in schools, I have never come across such an over zealous attitude- it does make you wonder if there's a reason behind it. I would seek the advice and support of the music service and get some back up-you should be being treated as a fellow professional by the school.

QUOTE (Violinia @ Jun 16 2004, 03:43 PM)

What do they possibly think could happen??? Perhaps they've had a problem in this school before and want to cover themselves. Violinia

I doubt it's a matter of trust, but more of a legal precaution. In Australia, teachers are being warned all the time not to be alone with students regardless of gender. It has nothing to do with them being paranoid that something will happen (from the teacher's side of things), but unfortunately, allegations of misconduct are becoming more and more common. With no witnesses, the teacher has little defense. Even if the court dismisses the allegation, the teacher's reputation is already damaged - not to mention the personal trauma involved and the suspicion raised about the school itself.

I think Violinia is right. It's probably a legal precaution because the principal has had prior experience or knows of a situation and doesn't want to take any risks.

It is unfortunate and frustrating and very sad that the times we live in, but I would think the protection is for you, not the child.

Thank you all for your replies - they're really appreciated!

QUOTE

It is unfortunate and frustrating and very sad that the times we live in, but I would think the protection is for you, not the child.

I agree entirely - it is very unfortunate that these precautions are taken to all extremes - but I do realise that this school is, as minsmusic has said, protecting me and not the child in this sense. It is so sad that a teacher might feel a reluctance to even move a child's hand to fix hand position or bow hold. The precautions are there for a reason - and in so many cases, they are sadly very much needed - it's just a shame when they are taken to extremes. In this case, where there is no need for a second child to be present, what with the room I teach in being surrounded by windows and used as a walkway, I simply find it frustrating!

However as it stands, I'll do what I'm told ... I know it's in my best interests!!

Violinia, I haven't got a police-check form - I will look into that. Thank you!

musicgurl

You could still tell them that you've heard that many other schools allow their peripatetic teachers to teach one-to-one, but take the precaution of asking them to get themselves police-checked as a safeguard. Perhaps they haven't heard about police-checking?

One of the schools I teach in told me that they'd get me police-checked as a matter of course, before I started the job. All I had to give was my name, address and I think national insurance number. The school then contacted the police and after a couple of weeks a form arrived in the post telling me I'd been passed. They also sent a copy to the school. This now means that I'm OK for any school, as I have the form.

I still think your school is being overly paranoid - perhaps you should have a word with the local Education Authority about it, and ask what the policy is in your area - that should clear things up as well.

I'd go mad if I had to have somebody sitting in with me every time I taught someone on their own! Hope you can get it sorted.

Violinia

How long ago was this Violinia? And in which country?
It is no longer police check but Criminal Records in UK.

And generally if you are in different schools each one would have to do an individual check (crazy.. and they wonder why there is a backlog!)

If you are checked through the CRB - Criminal Records Bureau - then you can give a photocopy of the form to every establishment that you work in.
That is what I have done, as requested.
On the form they list every 'misdemeanor' that was ever recorded.

Shouldn't the music service make this a requirement?

Rosemary.

I think it’s quite bizarre really. They won't let you teach one-to-one because of "child protection and it was school policy to enforce this.... etc etc." but they haven't bothered to do a Criminal Records check which I would have thought is fairly standard policy in all schools now. This school really needs to look again at it's child protection policy. I know that before I started to teach on a one-to-one in the local primary school this check had to have been done first. And I can't believe they haven't heard of the Criminal Records check. The backlog this department had after what happened with Holly and Jessica prevented some schools from returning to work with a full teaching staff in the autumn term.

I agree with other posts that that the school needs to look at its child protection policy . In my experience, all new staff are now checked via the Criminal Records bureau; those working directly with children are required to have an enhanced disclosure check which basically covers them for work in different jobs. I agree with Violinia that I'd find having to have someone sitting in on lessons totally impractical. I'm assuming as you work in a school that you are employed by a music service or local authority; in which case, they should be supporting you; if not, then I would think it's worth getting a Criminal Records check done yourself, for this job and future work. Is the school avoiding doing the correct checks and saying instead that they will not allow one to one tuition? I didn't think they were allowed to do that.

Does this police check then cover you if the child does accuse you of misconduct? Does it automatically mean the allegation is not taken seriously because you've had a police check?

Over here, you must fill in a form allowing a criminal records check with your teaching application. It doesn't mean you're exempt from any judicial case that arises afterward though. Is this different in England?

No, it is the same.
The check sort of protects the school or whoever else it is gto the check done on you.
It is proof that they took prcautions over who works with children.
In some ways it is a limited tool... it only shows up actual previous convictions or(in the case of an enhanced check for those working 1 to 1) allegations.
If you have been getting away with it........ well no one knows yet

My advice is that its best for your private teaching to get a National Police Check. You can pop into your local police station and get the form. I do this check every two years. You have to send proof of identity (passport etc) and nominate a reference as well as a cheque for £10. This process takes 6 weeks.With my peri work I had to fill in a Criminal Record Bureau disclosure form and your music service should pay.

Remember these checks are like a cars MOT. You are only cleared up the date on the document. Thats why it is good practice to get yourself checked every two years.

I agree some schools policies are over the top and other are nil. But if a parent or pupil accused you of misconduct would the school stand by you if they hadn't checked you. Its a difficult situation to be in and I hope no one will be.

With 1 to 1 teaching I insist that there is at least one window or else the door stays wide open.

QUOTE (Bomaellis @ Jun 18 2004, 11:08 AM)

My advice is that its best for your private teaching to get a National Police Check. You can pop into your local police station and get the form. I do this check every two years.  You have to send proof of identity (passport etc) and nominate a reference as well as a cheque for £10. This process takes 6 weeks.With my peri work I had to fill in a Criminal Record Bureau disclosure form and your music service should pay. Remember these checks are like a cars MOT. You are only cleared up the date on the document. Thats why it is good practice to get yourself checked every two years. I agree some schools policies are over the top and other are nil. But if a parent or pupil accused you of misconduct would the school stand by you if they hadn't checked you. Its a difficult situation to be in and I hope no one will be. With 1 to 1 teaching I insist that there is at least one window or else the door stays wide open.

Bomaellis I didn't realise that you could have them done privately - thanks for that info. My CRB check was done 2 years ago so I think I'll go and get it updated.

The room I taught in at school didn't have a window and I had to leave the door open. This was okay most of the time but if the weather was bad and everyone had to stay indoors (I taught at lunchtime) it could be quite noisy But you just have to get on with it really.

Windows in doors etc are all very well in a school setting, but what about teaching in one's own house, with no-one else on the premises at all. Does anyone worry about this? Should we worry about it? Is one-to-one teaching going to in effect be banned by these issues???

QUOTE (Alison @ Jun 23 2004, 08:58 PM)

Windows in doors etc are all very well in a school setting, but what about teaching in one's own house, with no-one else on the premises at all. Does anyone worry about this? Should we worry about it? Is one-to-one teaching going to in effect be banned by these issues???

The good thing about teaching at home is that the parents have chosen the teacher themselves, and feel comfortable making up their own minds in choosing someone they are happy with. I also always offer them the option of sitting in on lessons.

I ask the parents of young children to sit in on the first couple of lessons, so they can see for themselves what I'm all about. I have a waiting area with tea coffee and reading material. Many bring their own, others knit. If it's a cold day, many parents wait in their car.
If I'm teaching a teenage male student I insist that my husband be home. (I'm able to do this, because my husband is a high school teacher and can be home at 3:30, which is when most of my students begin).

Let's certainly hope that things don't get so ridiculous that private individual teaching is banned.

I have heard of many accusations of misconduct, have taught a student who had won quite a lump of money from such a case, my husband has worked with a male teacher who had to go through a law suit. All the cases I know first hand have been school teachers. I've not heard of any cases of private music teachers. Needless to say though, because Ive met people who've gone through this (from both ends) I am aware of the problem. I would NEVER EVER insist that a student be 'dropped' off. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to stay.