Role r i e h T : achers Link Te chools S y r a d n in Seco
The Link Teacher This is a significant role that should be written into the teacher’s contract. However, the link teacher may be willing to dedicate time to doing more than the basic tasks.
The link teacher is normally a member of the senior leadership team, and in some schools the Headteacher acts as the link teacher. This immediately tells the students that the council is being taken seriously.
The link teacher must not dominate the council. Sometimes it may seem easier for the teacher to carry out certain tasks themselves, rather than taking the time to explain and support the students so they can do it. However, every aspect of the council’s activities offers important learning opportunities, and the students will gain more from making mistakes than from having responsibility taken out of their hands. Students should, therefore, take on as much responsibility as possible for the day-to-day activities of the council.
A vital part of the link teacher’s role is communication between the Senior Leadership Team and the students. When the council makes a proposal and the SLT rejects it, the link teacher must make sure that the council fully understands the underlying reasons. If the council doesn’t understand, they are likely to become despondent. It is also the link teachers responsibility to help the council decide what steps they wish to take next. Do they wish to pursue the issue by developing the proposal or are they going to drop it? The most important thing is for the council to understand all the issues involved so they can make informed decisions.
The key responsibilities of the link teacher include: • • • • • •
Acting as a link with the SLT and the staff body as a whole (the chairperson of the school council should also have a direct link to a member of the SLT) Being available for consultation on the preparation of agendas and minutes Being prepared to give advice and information upon request Helping to oversee sub-committees (although this is primarily the responsibility of the chairperson and vice-chairperson Assisting the school council to identify their strengths and weaknesses and arranging for internal or external training as required and appropriate Ensuring that their personal strengths and weaknesses are identified and requesting mentoring and/or training as part of their own ongoing CPD.
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