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I AM all in favour of the idea of paying sixth formers to teach younger pupils. That may surprise you but it makes perfect sense on a number of levels in this present-day.

Firstly, it's good to get youngsters immersed in the world of work and have them doing a useful job.

Secondly, they are probably more in tune with the younger kids than older teachers who have lost touch after years in trendy universities. It's likely, too, they will get more respect from the younger children than an old buffer restricted by politically-correct rules on how pupils can be treated.

I'd be far more afraid of a 17-year-old whipper-snapper six former who would happily give me a kick behind the bike shed if I didn't obey, or would get his mates to exclude me from all of the social gatherings.

The older teachers have no such power or influence and have to watch what they say or do in case they breach anti-slapping legislation, or in case they are pulled into a tribunal merely for hurting a schoolchild's feelings.

Purists among you should note my qualifying words, present-day', in the opening paragraph. Like you, I would never have dreamed of this happening in my schooldays when teachers were fearsome, respected and aloof creatures.

Sadly, in the huggy, sloppy 21st century, the teaching profession has been stripped of much of this respect.

That's not totally the fault of younger teachers - though it would help if they could spell and punctuate. It's down to the UK's soft system of education which favours mediocrity and pampering above all else.

That's why paying six formers to do the job - which is what currently happens at one Chalfont school - is not as daft as it sounds.

And besides, who else but children could empathise with teachers in having to cope with all those vast holidays they have to endure as a disruption to their working schedule?

8:10pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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