It's a channel for teachers, but there's valuable information for parents in its programmes too...
What is Teachers TV?
While many parents would like their children to turn off the TV and go and do something more useful - like their homework for example! - teachers are being encouraged to spend more time in front of the box.
Teachers TV is a channel for those who work in schools. Although funded by the DfES it is editorially independent. It shows programmes covering training and development, education news, and classroom observation and analysis, many of which may also be of interest to mums and dads.'The primary objective of Teachers TV is to raise standards of teaching and learning,' explains commissioning executive David Libbert. 'As part of that, the more parents who watch, the better. They play a crucial role in their children's success at school and affect everything from behaviour and social skills to attitudes and education.'
Who and what is on Teachers TV?
Teachers TV has already shown it means business by featuring some big names, such as Jonathan Dimbleby and John Humphreys. And while some of the programmes, such as the one on the issue of random drug testing, are rather dry, there's plenty to enjoy. Inspirational stories about a whole school that's learned to juggle and the dinner lady who could give Gordon Ramsey a run for his money are just two examples. And for many parents like Jane Daly from North London, who feel out of touch with what's going on in the classroom, Teachers'TV offers an opportunity to get the inside track.'I work full-time so I don't drop off or pick up my sons,' explains the mother-of-three. 'This means that I often don't feel very involved, so I've started watching Teachers TV to find out more about life behind the school gates, as well as for help and inspiration with what the boys are studying. As they get older their work gets more complicated - and I don't have any recollection of learning half the things they come home talking about!' Subjects such as reduction-oxidation reactions, perhaps. A programme recently shown on this subject is both entertaining and informative, and achieves something you might well have thought impossible - chemistry lessons that can make kids laugh. The howling jelly babies experiment is a big hit - but maybe best not to try this one at home.
Adult learning
Claire Wells, deputy head of Kingshill secondary school in Cirencester and new mother of a nine-month-old son, is also enthusiastic about the channel. 'However long you've been teaching, you can always learn from watching others,' she says. 'Also, you read so many stories in the papers about terrible schools, uncontrollable pupils and declining standards that it's easy for parents and teachers to feel depressed about education, but Teachers TV shows that there's loads of really positive things happening too.'The current and forthcoming schedule covers subjects such as dyslexia, helping boys with literacy and a series on vocational training and apprenticeships. There are also programmes aimed at the country's 300k-plus governors, many of whom are parents, and of course pupil programmes for use in the classroom. So if you're struggling with science, muddled about maths, frustrated over French - or just keen for more information on school life today - it could be worth a look.
Further information
Teachers TV broadcasts 24 hours a day on digital satellite, Sky 880, Virgin TV 240, Tiscali TV 845 and Freeview 88 from 4-5pm.Visit teachers.tv for more information.
