‘Middle finger' row – sector response

Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, was dismayed and immediately wrote to the Department of Education calling for her to uphold teacher standards. She told Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, ‘If a teacher did this at work they would be disciplined. It’s not acceptable. We teach our very youngest children self-regulation. We’re constantly helping our young people to manage their emotions in the best possible way.’

There was more to say about the matter:

Sue Finch, early years consultant: ‘Is this what good behaviour looks like? The Department of Education’s advice on Behaviour in Schools (July 2022) says that “Creating a culture that promotes excellent behaviour requires a clear vision of what good behaviour looks like”. Children can be suspended from school for less.” ‘

Julie Dodds, childminder: ‘What an example to set! I am a childminder and would be closed down if I went around doing that in front of children, yet she does it in front of the public and press.’

Dr Helen Perkins, associate Professor at The Open University (right): ‘It’s absolutely an issue. Unprofessional, rude and not worthy of representing her constituency or her country, never mind being in charge of education.’

Joe, early years teacher: ‘I’m surprised how much people care about Andrea Jenkyns’s middle finger. I mean, I get it, but I also know that people react badly in situations where they really lose their cool. It really doesn’t matter in the end. It’s the terrible policies she’ll pursue that are worth outrage.'

Liz Pemberton, director of The Black Nursery Manager Ltd: ‘I would like to say that the Education minister's behaviour is surprising, but it isn’t. It is simply representative of a standard of behaviour from Tory ministers that reinforces there is one rule for them and another for us.’

Diana Lawton, early years professional (right): ‘Andrea Jenkyns’s actions made a mockery of our sector and the importance of our children’s education, completely disregarding the standards we expect  of our profession. How can we possibly accept that this behaviour will represent our sector and offer a role model for our children? Her actions and non-apology suggest that she is unable to manage her emotional reactions and work.’

Diane Hacker, early years placement assessor: ‘Shocking behaviour! This person is going to be representing / supporting us as practitioners. If I had made the same gesture I would have been in serious trouble and so would any of our students at college. Good role model, Not!’

Jan, deputy headteacher: ‘Teachers and nursery education workers are on the receiving end of all forms of negative feedback – both verbal and physical. We know that part of our jobs is to handle this professionally. I’ve been physically assaulted in my role as a deputy headteacher, but even this hasn’t led me to be aggressive in response. If Andrea Jenkyns wants the respect of teachers and education staff she needs to apologise fully and commit to professional behaviour in the future. It matters because standards in public life feel under threat right now and we don’t want this sort of behaviour to become acceptable.  I sincerely doubt that a headteacher who behaved in the same way would keep their job.’ 

Tahira, early years educator: ‘I guess anyone can become overwhelmed in a pressured situation – I can’t imagine how frightening it must be to receive death threats. She has acknowledged her mistake, so we should accept it and move on to the really important issues that need addressing in education, starting with our pay!’  

June O’Sullivan MBE, CEO of London Early Years Foundation (right):  ‘It’s an issue because it breaks the ministerial code and sadly indicates a lack of respect bringing the role of the politician into disrepute. Frankly, would you want someone exhibiting such yobbish behaviour representing you?’

Jenkyns made a statement on Twitter, calling the crowd, who were celebrating Johnson’s imminent departure, a ‘baying mob’. She said she had received ‘huge amounts of abuse from some of the people who were there’ and had ‘reached the end of my tether.’ She has also received death threats in the past.

She said, 'I responded and stood up for myself. Just why should anyone have to put up with this kind of treatment.'

Jenkyns has not apologised.