Ethical issues that have arisen as an art educator/educator in general:

The most important ethical issue I have encountered whilst working in a school environment is to have a strong understanding of child safeguarding policies, general ones that follow Government standards and the individual one that are put in place by the individual establishments. These policies are put in place not only to protect the students and their wellbeing but also to ensure that the members of staff do not put themselves in a position where they could be held liable in order to do this you should be aware of the child protection act and other such relevant legal documents. From a member of staff’s point of view you should conduct yourself at all times in a manner that is deemed to be appropriate. You are taught through staff meeting and inset days how to identify when a student is being bullied in school and what responsibilities you have to help the student and who you have to make aware of this. It is also the responsibility of staff members to be able to identify when a student is being abused at home or being neglected, again it is you have to know how to initially council the child and who need to be informed so that the student can get the necessary help. Not only is this your responsibility but if you do not you could be held liable. During school hours the teacher are put in a position of loco parentis, meaning at all times the teachers should have the student’s best interest in mind thus they should know what is included in legal documents such as the child safety act and equality act and have an understanding of health and safety and know all of your establishment’s policies. Not only are you there to protect the students but also monitor and as much as possible try to control the students behaviour while they are at school, this includes keeping track of their attendance, informing the correct people if it drops. In my opinion if there is anything you are in doubt about or unsure if it is something you should be dealing with, inform your superior.

  I have mentioned in previous blogs about the dangers the internet and other such web2.0 platforms pose to vulnerable parties in particular children, not only the content of what they might see but also how they can use them to exclude and victimise other students. In order to try and control this, staff members should have an understanding of how these technologies can be used. If you don’t understand what it is they are doing how can you expect to prevent it? Keeping up to date with technology is also vital in the teaching of all subjects. Teaching methods are constantly adapting to incorporate these technologies to improve the teaching of the subject.

Codes of Practice for teachers:

·     Be professional at all times.

·     Have a firm grasp of health and safety.

·     Be punctual at all times.

·    At all times behave in a way that you expect the students to behave.

·    Have an understanding of legal documents such as the Child Protection Act and all of your school’s safe guarding policies.

·    Keep up to date with advancements in technology not only how you can use them in the teaching of your subject but also how the students are using them.

·    Keep up to date with your course and what is happening within the industry in which you practice.

·    Be compassionate and sensitive when it is required.