I used to work in a local Primary school as a teaching assistant.
I was only on a 12 month fixed contract but would have stayed longer if asked. When I took the job, the Head of the school said she was very pleased to have another male member of staff because, being in the area the school is, there were a lot of children without a male role model.
When I left, 4 years ago, there were about 6 male members of staff out of a staff of 30. I've just looked on the schools website and am astounded to find that out of a staff of 32 teachers and support workers, just 2 are male! Is this normal in other Sheffield schools? Where have all the male teachers gone or has this particular school decided on employing females only? Has the Head of this school just decided she was wrong about children needed a male role model at school?:huh:
What kind of male/female staff ratio does your school have?

We have a trainee teacher and one other member of staff.
:|

I worked with more men when i worked in beauty retail!

As far as I am aware Longley, where I used to work, has no male staff other than the caretaker and any supply staff they may use.

It's something to do with the natural 'mothering' intincts of looking after young children of Primary school age. If you look at Secondary schools, Colleges and Universities, male teaching staff generally out number females.

I think it's probably got a lot to do with good old-fashioned gender stereotyping! You know, there are more female nurses than males because women are so much more caring than men!

And children at Primary age are still very much children, and generally need more "care" than those at Secondary school.

It's not just a problem in Sheffield though, have a look at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachers/issue43/primary/features/MinorityReport/

Dozy