Union denounces pupil interviews

Published: 01 July, 2007

A classroom teachers' union is challenging the practice of pupils sitting on job interview panels.

The NASUWT said the "student voice" was important but this failed to respect teachers' professionalism.

General secretary Chris Keates said the union had even come across pupils being trained to observe lessons.

But School Councils UK, which promotes student involvement, said probably most schools now had pupil interviewers of this sort and found it beneficial. Ms Keates spoke out after pupils at a Leicester school started to sit in on job interview panels for all new staff.

The policy is part of changes which have seen New College come out of special measures after Ofsted said it was failing.

Its principal, Jane Brown, said pupils were in effect the customers and it was important they have a say in how they were taught.