Kindness is the single most important quality students want in their teacher, according to a new survey.
In a survey conducted last month, pupils identified the traits they looked for most in a great teacher. A kind nature was backed by 27 per cent; good listening skills were seen as important by 15 per cent; while organising fun lessons, or being funny, was rated top by 13 per cent and 10 per cent of children respectively, according to YouGov.
Only 9 per cent of students thought being knowledgeable was important, with 3 per cent adding that not shouting was a virtue.
The survey involved 586 children, aged 6-15, being questioned in the first week of August.
Pupils’ prizing of humour chimes with a Tes survey, conducted last year, of 3,000 students from primary, secondary and special schools on what made the ideal teacher. It also found that being funny topped the list.
A primary student in the South West of England told the Tes survey: “Teachers should be funny because you don’t want kids to think school is too serious and boring. It makes the lesson interesting and you want to learn more.”
A secondary student in the Midlands added: “Funny teachers are more personable and connect with you more. Because of this, you feel more respected and you feel comfortable going to that teacher with your problems because there’s less pressure.”
The ability to be funny headed the list of the 25 most popular teacher traits among both primary and secondary students.
A number of other qualities were valued across both age ranges: in total, 18 characteristics appeared on both lists.
A great teacher requires a mix of the personal touch (“accepting”, “kind” and “a good listener” were popular characteristics), combined with essential teaching skills (“organised”, “knowledgeable” and “fair”), according to the Tes survey.
Primary pupils’ ranking
Tes asked students to list the characteristics that every teacher should possess:
1. Funny
2. Helpful/supportive
3. Good listener
4. Friendly
5. Fair
6. Approachable
7. Kind
8. Passionate
9. Inspiring
10. Knowledgeable
11. Patient
12. Organised
13. Fun
14. Rewarding
15. Trustworthy
16. Respectful
17. Happy
18. Understanding 19 Creative
20. Genuine
21. Believe in you
22. Reliable
23. Good at explaining
24. Strict ‘at the right time’
25. Generous
Secondary pupils’ ranking
1. Funny
2. Fair
3. Understanding
4. Helpful/supportive
5. Good listener
6. Inspiring
7. Knowledgeable
8. Patient
9. Passionate
10. Fun
11. Respectful
12. Good speaker
13. Trustworthy
14. Confident
15. Reliable
16. Approachable
17. Organised
18. Kind
19. Rewarding
20. Friendly
21. Gives chances
22. Accepting
23. Calm
24. Good at explaining
25. Adaptable
