I recently represented "media" at a career fair at Dr Challoners High School in Amersham Bucks. Once again I was blown away by the "Yoof of Today"... the Careers Fair was well attended and I spoke myself hoarse as I had so many young folk asking about careers in the "Media". From 14 to 18, male and female, there were technical oriented folk as well as creative folk wondering what they need to do to get into the industry.

It was quite an overwhelming experience.

This was swiftly followed by coffee and cakes with TVU, to discuss how Media Studies could include podcasts, video podcasts, production, design and content. Apparently there are a lot of ex-bankers, and other folk, that have recently been made redundant queuing up to retrain as teachers, it being regarded as a "safe" option.

I find this somewhat worrying and doubt it's a good move in the long term for the teaching profession. We have all experienced the affect that a "bad" teacher can have - those that are so uninspirational, that have no control of the pupils, that are lazy and that the pupils don't respect. These teachers are in it for the wrong reasons - be it for the perceived "job security" or the long holidays....

No doubt there will be a percentage of this new intake that are genuine teachers for whom teaching is a vocational joy and who have a natural talent for it. But I suspect the vast majority will be at best absolutely average, if not catastrophically bad, the effect of which is to material damage young peoples' development.