Thursday, April 14, 2011
and the winner is..........
The Education Resource Awards at the Motorcylcle Museum in Birmingham are held each year on the Friday of the Education Show at the NEC. BESA encourage educational suppliers to seek awards for a range of quality provision from the best with, and without, the latest technology. As our Members are heavily interested in quality products for our schools, the NAHT supports two Awards: School Leadership, and School innovation. Using my knowledge of watching far too many OSCARS and BAFTA ceremonies, I introduce a dramatic pause before announcing the winning name. This is followed by a crescendo of noise from the winners and no doubt silent groan from those who just missed out.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Escape to Alcatraz
We are now in the reciprocal Conference season. There is an expectation that the NAHT President will represent the Association at key school leadership organization Conferences. In turn, the current Presidents of these organizations attend our Annual Conference. The National Association of Secondary School Principals in the US met in San Francisco. Where each President ends up depends upon decisions made years ago so it could be Detroit or Houston. These are not jollies as anyone who sees the the work schedule and sitting in airports in the middle of the night can testify. Even so, I was delighted that San Francisco came on my watch and decided to pay for Veronicah and James to come with me, so we could share time after the end of each working day. There were a number of key issues to explore with international colleagues. These are often elements of accountability, austerity, autonomy for our schools and their effect upon children's attainment and life chances, and conditions of service for school leaders.
These Conferences give an excellent opportunity to meet with both host Country Principals (most of the world uses that term), and to network with international colleagues all undertaking a similar role. (I knew, for example, at least four of the previous NASSP Presidents). This means you are working on two levels: firstly, to gain an understanding of how the host Country is tackling the key issues, and secondly, to relate this across several other systems with the experience of those attending. This leads to good friendships on a personal basis, but enables you to be better informed, and gain real insight into international comparisons - Governments will often cherry-pick from these to suit policy choices - and test your Association's positions.
One of the stars of the NASSP Conference was Diane Ravitch. Diane is an education academic, as Professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
She had been Assistant Secretary of State in the Bush Senior Administration. Although education is largely at State function, the Federal Government does, increasingly, have a financial role to play (now about 10-15% which it uses to lever policy). Diane Ravitch, was significantly committed to a regime of high level external assessment. She has since written a book entitled, 'The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education (2010) ISBN 978-0-465-01491-0 repudiating this approach. Diane saw that this encouraged children and schools to have a dull, repetitive diet based upon the need for compliance and completion of work with little reference to quality or real engagement. She is clear that this does not raise standards. It also reflects the widely respected Finnish experience, where high attainment includes no external assessment of any nature except blind sampling until the age of 18. We come back once again to Governments distorting the curriculum - and teaching and learning - by inappropriate accountability measures.
Linda Darling-Hammond, is Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford University where she has launched the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute and the School Redesign Network, and advises one of President Obama's key groups, followed this by presenting research that identified teacher effectiveness as the key to high attainment. "Bureaucratic solutions to problems of practice will always fail because effective teaching is not routine, students are not passive, and questions of practice are not simple, predictable, or standardized. Consequently, instructional decisions cannot be formulated on high then packaged and handed down to teachers." - from her award-winning book, The Right to Learn. She identified the approaches which enabled those entering the profession to have good support to gain this effectiveness and then to have this maintained by strategies such as coaching in the classroom by expert practitioners. Some research suggested that the usual diet of one-off in-service training sessions were less effective as lacking in depth - a real challenge to most schools!
Eric Sheninger (http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger) is the Principal at New Milford High School located in Bergen County, NJ. He is passionate about establishing and fostering learning environments that are student-centered, collaborative, flexible, and prepare all learners to succeed in the 21st Century. Eric presented on the future of ICT in schools and children's learning. He was an advocate of the hand-held approach as where children are at, together with the positive use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, with the latter particularly useful for classroom teachers to share ideas in an educational forum.
California lived up to it's billing. Sunshine, the Golden Gate Bridge, an almost bankrupt State Government with significant street begging, brilliant restaurants, but the best was undoubtedly the cable cars, and a visit to Alcatraz.
There was really no contest. Seating on the cable car was either outside facing outward on benches or in the more sanitized interior behind windows facing inward. So going the first very steep incline I'm holding on to James for dear life, whilst Veronicah manages the folded buggy. For once, I'm delighted that there is a relatively tight squeeze on the benches as this actually assists with stability. This was not always the case over the eight rides we managed and, at least on one occasion, I found myself determinedly trying to stop a sideways movement that could have led to catastrophe. James was beside himself, and as usual making conversation - part verbal, part non-verbal signals - to fellow passengers.
The boat ride to the Island of Alcatraz in the Bay was relatively short. The Island was used by the military as a prison until 1933 - including Confederate soldiers and sailors during the Civil War - when it transferred to the Justice Ministry. It then held some of the most notorious gangsters of the next 30 years including Al Capone, 'Machine gun' Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the 'Birdman of Alcatraz' memorably portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the film of that name - in reality most of the work and study of birds took place in his previous incarceration in Leavenworth, but Hollywood was never strong on historical accuracy (and Stroud was never allowed to see the film). An excellent audio tour followed. The most surprising aspect was the small size of most of the cells at just 9' x 5'. This included a bed, toilet, and small chair and table. The holding cells for those who broke the rules were actually larger, but with an even tougher regime, and after that thee were a couple of windowless cells termed the 'hole'. Bobby Kennedy closed down Alcatraz in 1963.
The time difference -seven hours ahead - and jet-lag led to some strange physiological experiences with James thinking that midnight local time was perfect for waking up for breakfast literally full of beans. It took a couple of days to acclimatize. In the meantime, two bleary-eyed parents took turns in coping with this until persuasion (or at least bribery) prevailed.
The next day after returning to UK, I'm at Finance and Personnel Committees in London, then speaking at the Education Conference the following day, Friday, in Reading, and meeting with a group of Heads in the afternoon. Sunday is a flight to Amsterdam and a train ride to a monastery where the International Confederation of Principals is meeting, and then a flight to Belfast for our National Executive. Each meeting requires preparation, presentations, and follow-up work. In the meantime, the Government publishes it's Green Paper on the future of Special Educational Needs and Disability for consultation until June. This is a major piece of work for the NAHT in developing a considered response to Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Children and Families, and the Department. On Sunday, it's off to Dusseldorf with Russell Hobby to meet our Service Children's Education Branch and attend and speak at their AGM. A number of Branch Meetings to attend on my return.
I always enjoy seeing the signs of Spring and regeneration, particularly when the daffodils with their vibrant colour are in view. Now all I have to do is decide what is it I'm giving up for lent this year.
These Conferences give an excellent opportunity to meet with both host Country Principals (most of the world uses that term), and to network with international colleagues all undertaking a similar role. (I knew, for example, at least four of the previous NASSP Presidents). This means you are working on two levels: firstly, to gain an understanding of how the host Country is tackling the key issues, and secondly, to relate this across several other systems with the experience of those attending. This leads to good friendships on a personal basis, but enables you to be better informed, and gain real insight into international comparisons - Governments will often cherry-pick from these to suit policy choices - and test your Association's positions.
One of the stars of the NASSP Conference was Diane Ravitch. Diane is an education academic, as Professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
She had been Assistant Secretary of State in the Bush Senior Administration. Although education is largely at State function, the Federal Government does, increasingly, have a financial role to play (now about 10-15% which it uses to lever policy). Diane Ravitch, was significantly committed to a regime of high level external assessment. She has since written a book entitled, 'The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education (2010) ISBN 978-0-465-01491-0 repudiating this approach. Diane saw that this encouraged children and schools to have a dull, repetitive diet based upon the need for compliance and completion of work with little reference to quality or real engagement. She is clear that this does not raise standards. It also reflects the widely respected Finnish experience, where high attainment includes no external assessment of any nature except blind sampling until the age of 18. We come back once again to Governments distorting the curriculum - and teaching and learning - by inappropriate accountability measures.
Linda Darling-Hammond, is Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford University where she has launched the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute and the School Redesign Network, and advises one of President Obama's key groups, followed this by presenting research that identified teacher effectiveness as the key to high attainment. "Bureaucratic solutions to problems of practice will always fail because effective teaching is not routine, students are not passive, and questions of practice are not simple, predictable, or standardized. Consequently, instructional decisions cannot be formulated on high then packaged and handed down to teachers." - from her award-winning book, The Right to Learn. She identified the approaches which enabled those entering the profession to have good support to gain this effectiveness and then to have this maintained by strategies such as coaching in the classroom by expert practitioners. Some research suggested that the usual diet of one-off in-service training sessions were less effective as lacking in depth - a real challenge to most schools!
Eric Sheninger (http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger) is the Principal at New Milford High School located in Bergen County, NJ. He is passionate about establishing and fostering learning environments that are student-centered, collaborative, flexible, and prepare all learners to succeed in the 21st Century. Eric presented on the future of ICT in schools and children's learning. He was an advocate of the hand-held approach as where children are at, together with the positive use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, with the latter particularly useful for classroom teachers to share ideas in an educational forum.
California lived up to it's billing. Sunshine, the Golden Gate Bridge, an almost bankrupt State Government with significant street begging, brilliant restaurants, but the best was undoubtedly the cable cars, and a visit to Alcatraz.
There was really no contest. Seating on the cable car was either outside facing outward on benches or in the more sanitized interior behind windows facing inward. So going the first very steep incline I'm holding on to James for dear life, whilst Veronicah manages the folded buggy. For once, I'm delighted that there is a relatively tight squeeze on the benches as this actually assists with stability. This was not always the case over the eight rides we managed and, at least on one occasion, I found myself determinedly trying to stop a sideways movement that could have led to catastrophe. James was beside himself, and as usual making conversation - part verbal, part non-verbal signals - to fellow passengers.
The boat ride to the Island of Alcatraz in the Bay was relatively short. The Island was used by the military as a prison until 1933 - including Confederate soldiers and sailors during the Civil War - when it transferred to the Justice Ministry. It then held some of the most notorious gangsters of the next 30 years including Al Capone, 'Machine gun' Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the 'Birdman of Alcatraz' memorably portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the film of that name - in reality most of the work and study of birds took place in his previous incarceration in Leavenworth, but Hollywood was never strong on historical accuracy (and Stroud was never allowed to see the film). An excellent audio tour followed. The most surprising aspect was the small size of most of the cells at just 9' x 5'. This included a bed, toilet, and small chair and table. The holding cells for those who broke the rules were actually larger, but with an even tougher regime, and after that thee were a couple of windowless cells termed the 'hole'. Bobby Kennedy closed down Alcatraz in 1963.
The time difference -seven hours ahead - and jet-lag led to some strange physiological experiences with James thinking that midnight local time was perfect for waking up for breakfast literally full of beans. It took a couple of days to acclimatize. In the meantime, two bleary-eyed parents took turns in coping with this until persuasion (or at least bribery) prevailed.
The next day after returning to UK, I'm at Finance and Personnel Committees in London, then speaking at the Education Conference the following day, Friday, in Reading, and meeting with a group of Heads in the afternoon. Sunday is a flight to Amsterdam and a train ride to a monastery where the International Confederation of Principals is meeting, and then a flight to Belfast for our National Executive. Each meeting requires preparation, presentations, and follow-up work. In the meantime, the Government publishes it's Green Paper on the future of Special Educational Needs and Disability for consultation until June. This is a major piece of work for the NAHT in developing a considered response to Sarah Teather, Minister of State for Children and Families, and the Department. On Sunday, it's off to Dusseldorf with Russell Hobby to meet our Service Children's Education Branch and attend and speak at their AGM. A number of Branch Meetings to attend on my return.
I always enjoy seeing the signs of Spring and regeneration, particularly when the daffodils with their vibrant colour are in view. Now all I have to do is decide what is it I'm giving up for lent this year.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Home for a day.
Home for a day, as the Swindon NAHT Branch holds it's Annual Conference at the Cricklade Country Club on the 17th. It was pleasing to chat with many good friends. The theme looked at the new Networks that schools need in the wake of the rapidly changing context of LA support services diminishing and in some areas disappearing altogether following the LA funding settlement. A number of presentations from exhibitors including companies set up by former LA employees set the scene. Russell Hobby as General Secretary provided a thoughtful insight into current national issues and how this was affecting schools and school leadership. The last session began to address the interesting and vital networking future in school improvement. Schools working with schools - now there's a novel idea. Following decades of encouraging competition, the bright future should be about collaboration and co-operation. Sharing the very best practice is essential if we are to raise standards still further. This requires a willingness to give as well as receive. It also requires practical methods and systems of engagement. Schools and school leaders need to build these.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Continuing to sing for my supper
Really good news from the Henley Report on music. Virtually the only subject in the curriculum to have an underpinning review. At the Sing Up National Gathering (see my blog of 30/11/10) I called for the extension of both Sing Up and the Wider Opportunities scheme for children to engage with instrumental work. I'm delighted that the Government has resounded positively to the Report and is extending both approaches with funding of £82.5 million, and a National Plan for Music to follow. The creation of ring-fenced funded Hubs in each LA area gives some hope within a diificult context of LA Music services coming under intense pressure. There are now key discussions about the detailed use of the announced funding involving the Sing Up consortium as it is indicated that Sing Up itself has to be self-sustaining after this additional slimmed down year. Let's hope this leads to a secure and vibrant future for children and music.
Pensions - the sign of a caring society
My last meeting as Chair of the NAHT Pension Trustees. We have the important task of ensuring there is a secure scheme for staff members. I'm delighted that at this meeting we agree arrangements for those staff who gain support from the Association to retire early to access an improved actuarially reduced scheme.
This occurs at a time when 63% of NAHT Members indicate that they would want to significantly defend the essence of their Teachers Pension Scheme. We wait for the outcome of the Hutton Review of public sector pensions.
A lifetime of work should lead to a dignified and happy retirement. The last couple of decades have witnessed a succession of events in many industries affecting pension schemes which have undermined this.
This occurs at a time when 63% of NAHT Members indicate that they would want to significantly defend the essence of their Teachers Pension Scheme. We wait for the outcome of the Hutton Review of public sector pensions.
A lifetime of work should lead to a dignified and happy retirement. The last couple of decades have witnessed a succession of events in many industries affecting pension schemes which have undermined this.
It's February, it's Cornwall.
In Cornwall today (4th) for a one hour presentation on current issues to 50 Members of the Branch, plus a further twenty minutes at the Annual Dinner in the evening.
The Bedruthan Hotel just north of Newquay, is one of the best in the Country. Not for acres of marble, but for it's position overlooking the Atlantic Coast, and in particular the superb Reception where you are treated as a welcomed individual. The Staff here could train far more prestigious establishments on real engagement with hotel guests.
Key concerns today include pensions, doubtful future of LA services, the outcome of the Bew Inquiry into KS2 SATs, and information on the academy status.
Ian Bruce, Cornwall Branch Secretary, and SW National Executive Member, is properly thanked for his work for Members in the County, as is Steve Cleverley, Regional Officer, for high quality support for Members when the clouds seem dark.
The NAHT's Regional Officers are well respected for their work throughout each of their patches. They are a lifeline for hard-pressed colleagues.
The Bedruthan Hotel just north of Newquay, is one of the best in the Country. Not for acres of marble, but for it's position overlooking the Atlantic Coast, and in particular the superb Reception where you are treated as a welcomed individual. The Staff here could train far more prestigious establishments on real engagement with hotel guests.
Key concerns today include pensions, doubtful future of LA services, the outcome of the Bew Inquiry into KS2 SATs, and information on the academy status.
Ian Bruce, Cornwall Branch Secretary, and SW National Executive Member, is properly thanked for his work for Members in the County, as is Steve Cleverley, Regional Officer, for high quality support for Members when the clouds seem dark.
The NAHT's Regional Officers are well respected for their work throughout each of their patches. They are a lifeline for hard-pressed colleagues.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
On the train with Churchill and the Royalty
January has been a very intense month with traveling and speaking in all parts of the Country. Groups of Heads in Bristol, Swindon, followed by SW Region in Tiverton, Devon. Kent Branch in Maidstone, and then the National Executive - it's new name replacing Council - at The Bloomsbury in London. The new style of a two day Executive continued. It received 70% support as a little or much better than the former construction which had lasted some years. We also continued the Information session with Executive Members going away rich in Information on a range of key issues, then examining these in more detail during the Policy, Professional, or Practice Committees. We then have detailed scrutiny of NAHT positions through testing these as Motions. This time it included considering a position on the NAHT's evidence to the Bew Inquiry on end of KS2 Assessment. These Motions are keenly debated, with amendments considered, and votes providing clear outcomes. The eventual position taken received widespread support. Members would be pleased to know the rigorous nature of this work on their behalf.
We also held our Annual Press Dinner, on this occasion in the atmospheric Harmsworth Room, in the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. This is an excellent opportunity to meet up with our colleagues in the Media and discuss current issues. Any organization needs to get it's messages and positions over to Members, the public, key groups, and the Government. The Media play an essential role in this. As well as promoting school leadership as the best job in the world, we want to affect legislation and gain our Members the best possible pay and conditions for the vital work they undertake. Under successive General Secretaries, Annette Slade, has undertaken a dual role as PA, and Press Liaison. She has performed this with distinction. With the wide-ranging nature of the Media now we have moved to appointing a specialist Press and Media Officer, and Heather Forze has recently joined the NAHT and is already making her presence felt. In her first two days I had access to three Radio interviews -including speaking with Radio Lincolnshire on a freezing bus station bench.
Since the National Executive, the following ten days included meeting a dozen Heads in Chippenham, a meeting with ASCL and the National Governors' Association in the Commonwealth Club, meetings with Heads in Poole and the Dorset Branch who were particularly exercised on the future of teachers' pensions. This is a national concern and we are watching developments very carefully under the expert guidance of Mike Beard in HQ. I then had a discussion with a Secondary Head whose School is 'satisfactory with good features' at it's last OFSTED, but has improved since and wants to become an Academy. He is watching colleagues gaining the freedoms and repatriation of LA retained funding, and believes this would be right for his school. I suggested he registered an interest and speak with the Academies Division at the DfE. The next day was a five and half hour journey to Windermere for the North West Region weekend Conference after completing some casework. Members attending the Conference are given the Saturday afternoon 'off' and are able to check out the delights of the Lakes.
I have to admit to a secret affair that afternoon. I rang Veronicah and owned up. After a brief walk around part of the Lake, I found the Royalty Cinema in Bowness. It had a Saturday afternoon matinee showing of The King's Speech with Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter. With James now two years old we have not been to the Cinema since he was born. I went in and bought my ticket. It was Art Deco heaven. The staff wore black waistcoats, and brought out ice creams on original trays. With a superb film this was a wonderful time, but I had to tell Veronicah who immediately booked next Saturday for a Cinema outing at home!
We also held our Annual Press Dinner, on this occasion in the atmospheric Harmsworth Room, in the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. This is an excellent opportunity to meet up with our colleagues in the Media and discuss current issues. Any organization needs to get it's messages and positions over to Members, the public, key groups, and the Government. The Media play an essential role in this. As well as promoting school leadership as the best job in the world, we want to affect legislation and gain our Members the best possible pay and conditions for the vital work they undertake. Under successive General Secretaries, Annette Slade, has undertaken a dual role as PA, and Press Liaison. She has performed this with distinction. With the wide-ranging nature of the Media now we have moved to appointing a specialist Press and Media Officer, and Heather Forze has recently joined the NAHT and is already making her presence felt. In her first two days I had access to three Radio interviews -including speaking with Radio Lincolnshire on a freezing bus station bench.
Since the National Executive, the following ten days included meeting a dozen Heads in Chippenham, a meeting with ASCL and the National Governors' Association in the Commonwealth Club, meetings with Heads in Poole and the Dorset Branch who were particularly exercised on the future of teachers' pensions. This is a national concern and we are watching developments very carefully under the expert guidance of Mike Beard in HQ. I then had a discussion with a Secondary Head whose School is 'satisfactory with good features' at it's last OFSTED, but has improved since and wants to become an Academy. He is watching colleagues gaining the freedoms and repatriation of LA retained funding, and believes this would be right for his school. I suggested he registered an interest and speak with the Academies Division at the DfE. The next day was a five and half hour journey to Windermere for the North West Region weekend Conference after completing some casework. Members attending the Conference are given the Saturday afternoon 'off' and are able to check out the delights of the Lakes.
I have to admit to a secret affair that afternoon. I rang Veronicah and owned up. After a brief walk around part of the Lake, I found the Royalty Cinema in Bowness. It had a Saturday afternoon matinee showing of The King's Speech with Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter. With James now two years old we have not been to the Cinema since he was born. I went in and bought my ticket. It was Art Deco heaven. The staff wore black waistcoats, and brought out ice creams on original trays. With a superb film this was a wonderful time, but I had to tell Veronicah who immediately booked next Saturday for a Cinema outing at home!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Strategy Group, and Never on a Sunday doesn't apply.
Strategy Group was on Monday. This means leaving home at 2.30pm on Sunday and meeting up with the other National Officers (Bolton, Lowestoft, Barnsley, and Swindon) at a local hostelry near the NAHT HQ at Haywards Heath. This provides food and accommodation, and enables us to spend time going through current and forthcoming issues at length outside of formal meetings. A number of families across the Country are giving up family time to enable such meetings to happen. It's followed by a formal Strategy session at HQ on Monday with senior HQ Staff. One of the key debates is identifying the need for Government to understand that the NAHT is both a professional association and a trade union. We will continue to support our Members in raising standards of attainment of the new generation. Engagement between the DfE and us prior to announcements would improve legislation and it's impact. Five hours of meetings, including a teleconference, and it's back on the train for a three-hour working journey home. On the road for the rest of the week with five Heads' Groups, and Branch and Regional meetings across the South West.
Christmas in the village
A snowy Christmas and an icy blast, but a fun family time. Also time with friends coming to share our first Christmas in this new home: The Old Chapel. James walked twice around the village taking in the animals - horses with jackets, ducks on ice, and the local male blackbird looking for food. James playing snowballs with Daddy in the snow, and arriving back for a hot chocolate with Mummy. Father Christmas drank his milk and ate a mince pie - James found the crumbs. Half an hour later we are all playing with a Hornby train set, new farm animals, and a helicopter. We finished the day with Fireman Sam books and a Little Red Tractor video.
Awe and wonder comes in different ways, but we certainly enjoyed giving as well as getting. The Christmas Carol Service at St Mary's involved lighted candles. James didn't set anything on fire, but Fireman Sam must have been on standby.
Awe and wonder comes in different ways, but we certainly enjoyed giving as well as getting. The Christmas Carol Service at St Mary's involved lighted candles. James didn't set anything on fire, but Fireman Sam must have been on standby.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
End of Year Report for Michael Gove and the DfE
End of 2010 year School Report on Michael Gove and the DfE:
What a truly amazing year!
We often say that a year is a long time in education - well, if we compare where we are now at Christmas 2010, then seven months have changed the educational landscape for children, schools and school leaders. The new Government has learned from Tony Blair's published experiences of not using his first 100 days to get reform going. What can we deduce from the changes so far?
Autonomy 4 out of 5
The call for freedom has led to structural change that is enabling those schools and school leaders who wish to take control of their own decision-making through converter Academies to do so.
The free school approach is potentially more divisive and will often have a negative effect upon existing schools.
Accountability 1 out of 5
We are pleased to have an independent enquiry into SATs, but it all depends upon the outcome and the Government's response. The White Paper proposals for a high-stakes Reading test - and it's a 'phonics' test not a 'reading' test - for 6 year olds, and an English Bacc are signs that again the curriculum is going to be distorted for thousands of children on a poor evidence base and in opposition to professional judgment. Inspection should become fairer and encompass support. We fully accept accountability, but the system must improve.
We need to clarify the differences between transparency and accountability, understanding the
grey areas.
Engagement 4 out of 5
The DfE is talking with school leaders. Announcements though still come out of the blue - too many details announced through the press rather than direct to the profession.
Austerity 3 out of 5
The headlines suggested that school budgets were largely being protected. This was positive, but beneath the headlines many schools will struggle with funding. Early intervention and sixth forms are under particular pressure. The Pupil Premium level at an initial £430 per fsm pupil was disappointing and will not cover the costs of for example, a reading recovery teacher. Let's hope this substantially improves. Most quangos will not be missed, but the need for sports, the 'Every Child ......' infrastructure, music (subject to the Henley Report) and a lack of innovation (and virtual absence from the White Paper) with ICT, stand out.
12 out of 20 - a promising start could be tarnished by a return to ideological rather than educational thinking.
Looking forward to 2011
A few priorities:
The end of SATs as we know them. Let us compete with world-class systems such as Finland on a level playing field (no external assessments until 18).
The creation of an effective system of KS2 moderated teacher assessment (including KS3 teachers). Must remember to hold schools accountable for results not methods.
Create confidence in schools to use their freedoms
A restructuring of LAs: now clarify a positive role
Reconsideration of the effects of a reading test for 6 year olds, and an
English Bacc
Wales moving towards equality of funding
Northern Ireland moving towards educational engagement
Raising the Pupil Premium, and look forward to debate on national funding formula
We need to address exclusions
A fairer Inspection system.
We would then have a world-class DfE (and schools).
Michael Gove is a positive politician. I hope he understands that these classroom priorities are genuine and necessary. He should be careful of siren voices in the playground which could lead to much frustration and distraction in class.
What a truly amazing year!
We often say that a year is a long time in education - well, if we compare where we are now at Christmas 2010, then seven months have changed the educational landscape for children, schools and school leaders. The new Government has learned from Tony Blair's published experiences of not using his first 100 days to get reform going. What can we deduce from the changes so far?
Autonomy 4 out of 5
The call for freedom has led to structural change that is enabling those schools and school leaders who wish to take control of their own decision-making through converter Academies to do so.
The free school approach is potentially more divisive and will often have a negative effect upon existing schools.
Accountability 1 out of 5
We are pleased to have an independent enquiry into SATs, but it all depends upon the outcome and the Government's response. The White Paper proposals for a high-stakes Reading test - and it's a 'phonics' test not a 'reading' test - for 6 year olds, and an English Bacc are signs that again the curriculum is going to be distorted for thousands of children on a poor evidence base and in opposition to professional judgment. Inspection should become fairer and encompass support. We fully accept accountability, but the system must improve.
We need to clarify the differences between transparency and accountability, understanding the
grey areas.
Engagement 4 out of 5
The DfE is talking with school leaders. Announcements though still come out of the blue - too many details announced through the press rather than direct to the profession.
Austerity 3 out of 5
The headlines suggested that school budgets were largely being protected. This was positive, but beneath the headlines many schools will struggle with funding. Early intervention and sixth forms are under particular pressure. The Pupil Premium level at an initial £430 per fsm pupil was disappointing and will not cover the costs of for example, a reading recovery teacher. Let's hope this substantially improves. Most quangos will not be missed, but the need for sports, the 'Every Child ......' infrastructure, music (subject to the Henley Report) and a lack of innovation (and virtual absence from the White Paper) with ICT, stand out.
12 out of 20 - a promising start could be tarnished by a return to ideological rather than educational thinking.
Looking forward to 2011
A few priorities:
The end of SATs as we know them. Let us compete with world-class systems such as Finland on a level playing field (no external assessments until 18).
The creation of an effective system of KS2 moderated teacher assessment (including KS3 teachers). Must remember to hold schools accountable for results not methods.
Create confidence in schools to use their freedoms
A restructuring of LAs: now clarify a positive role
Reconsideration of the effects of a reading test for 6 year olds, and an
English Bacc
Wales moving towards equality of funding
Northern Ireland moving towards educational engagement
Raising the Pupil Premium, and look forward to debate on national funding formula
We need to address exclusions
A fairer Inspection system.
We would then have a world-class DfE (and schools).
Michael Gove is a positive politician. I hope he understands that these classroom priorities are genuine and necessary. He should be careful of siren voices in the playground which could lead to much frustration and distraction in class.
Monday, December 13, 2010
James is two years old.
James is two today. I hope when he is older he will understand how his innocence, love, intelligence and fun give me unbridled joy each day. For both Veronicah and me James is the light of our life. James and wonderful grandson Ted, also two last week, shared a birthday party with their friends, bouncy castle, pass the parcel, party tea, and Thomas the Tank engine Cake and all.
'No ifs, no buts, no education cuts'......
Lunch with Michael Gove, Secretary of State. This covered a number of areas of policy, including the experience of being an academy. The day was dominated by the very adjacent Student Protests about tuition fees. I've stated my concerns about how the increase in such fees will disproportionately affect children from inner area communities. This could have a significant effect upon social mobility as well as individual life chances. As I left the Department to return to St.James Underground station I met a large group of peaceful young protestors making their way down Tothill Street. The 'No ifs, no buts, no education cuts' was sung with gusto, but it was the young lad at the back with the banner - I'm only here to get out of PE' - which caught my eye.
The Sheriff of Nottingham or was it Long John Silver?
At the Goddard Park Primary Christmas Concert on Tuesday night I was expecting to introduce our older classes when ten minutes before we started a breathless Year 5 teacher came along the corridor to let me know that the Sheriff of Nottingham was ill and his understudy unavailable for our Robin Hood-based pantomime. Within five minutes staff had identified that I had to fill the gap, produced a costume (partially stapled!) and handed me the script. Oh the joys of Headship. Needless to say the children, parents and staff had great fun with me playing the Sheriff (in the manner of Robert Newton's Long John Silver) with several ad libs about X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing. The children, not thrown by my presence on the stage, were brilliant and particularly enjoyed Robin giving the Sheriff his comeuppance.
Twins and buses
I was walking in Swindon in order to collect my Senior bus pass when I came across an elderly lady having great difficulty in crossing the road on the icy surface. I assisted her to cross safely and she shuffled along her way. On my way out of the Council Offices I had occasion to cross the same stretch of road and immediately fell over with such force and speed that I injured my wrist and had a precautionary cast on for a couple of days. Veronicah suggested I purchase a Zimmer frame. As we have just received the joyous news that she is expecting twins next June I am challenging friends to come up with a design for a triple buggy (including James) and an attached motorized zimmer platform. At least James and I can go on the bus now to watch Swindon Town play free of charge - he is regarded as too young to pay and I'm too old! Our joy means that I'll be working until I'm 81.
The Midlands and more tests
Working in the Midlands last week with Keynote presentations in both Leicester and the University of Warwick Science Park. At such meetings I always take the opportunity to meet and discuss with School leaders their individual challenges. The sheer professionalism of colleagues in the face of adversity is remarkable. The Government is sensible in providing more freedom and flexibility for school leaders to raise standards. What it must not do then is to ramp up the already overpowering accountability regime of OFSTED and SATs with the further distortion of the curriculum which will follow a high stakes reading test for six year olds, and an English Bacc for 16 year olds. Colleagues in the much vaunted Finnish Education system are able to work with children and young people who do not have to undertake an external test until the age of 18 years.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Singing for my supper in Gateshead
Several keynote speeches this week including one to the Sing Up National Gathering at The Sage by the River Tyne in Gateshead. 24 years ago I became Headteacher of a school about a mile from here along the Felling by-pass. Bede Community Primary School. It had 83% free school meals. Very few parents had a job as all the major employers including Clarke Chapmans had closed down. The community was split by a railway line - now the Metro - with the Old Fold on one side and Sunderland Road on the other. As a designated Community Primary School we reached out to the community and enabled local people to set up a number of groups and activities. The Community School was one of the few meeting places for families.
Local teenagers - the older brothers and sisters of pupils at Bede - felt isolated, and detached. They began burning out cars on the school field. We responded to this by talking with them and then setting up a football team. Some of the boys played, and girls and boys were cheerleaders and supporters. We met each week and trained and talked. The local Police agreed to make a minibus available for friendly matches.We raised funds for a football strip and to go to a professional football match. The Police assisted, but would not agree to either a Newcastle or Sunderland game as these could be negative role models. Instead we went to Hartlepool v Burnley. I thought this might not be cool, but the group loved it as they had never been to a real match before. A after a few more friendlies the group were enjoying the experience. Later that Summer one of the boys, Mark, went to the local Cemetery with a couple of friends, sniffed a fire extinguisher, and sadly he died. His Mum had him buried in the team shirt as she said, "It was the only positive thing in his life".
Veronicah, James and I called in to see Alison and Angela at Bede - still the Admin Officers at the School - and lifelong friends.
Virtually 100% of Primary Schools in Swindon have signed up to Sing Up. Goddard Park has hosted an area training session, and our children have benefitted significantly from this. It has been a very successful initiative. Parents and children were recently singing at Debenhams. Alongside this Wider Opportunities has provided expert instrumental tuition to a whole year group at a time, together with Roadshows of brass/strings/woodwind/percussion that have stimulated interest and enjoyment amongst our pupils. I hope the Henley Review identifies the essential need for music education for all, and that the Government places a requirement in a new National Curriculum with earmarked funds. We need a John Winterflood (Swindon Music Service) and a Liz Terry (Sing Up) to make this happen. Our children would be much richer as a result, and it is difficult to see any effective alternative provision - it is a specialized area of school life.
Local teenagers - the older brothers and sisters of pupils at Bede - felt isolated, and detached. They began burning out cars on the school field. We responded to this by talking with them and then setting up a football team. Some of the boys played, and girls and boys were cheerleaders and supporters. We met each week and trained and talked. The local Police agreed to make a minibus available for friendly matches.We raised funds for a football strip and to go to a professional football match. The Police assisted, but would not agree to either a Newcastle or Sunderland game as these could be negative role models. Instead we went to Hartlepool v Burnley. I thought this might not be cool, but the group loved it as they had never been to a real match before. A after a few more friendlies the group were enjoying the experience. Later that Summer one of the boys, Mark, went to the local Cemetery with a couple of friends, sniffed a fire extinguisher, and sadly he died. His Mum had him buried in the team shirt as she said, "It was the only positive thing in his life".
Veronicah, James and I called in to see Alison and Angela at Bede - still the Admin Officers at the School - and lifelong friends.
Virtually 100% of Primary Schools in Swindon have signed up to Sing Up. Goddard Park has hosted an area training session, and our children have benefitted significantly from this. It has been a very successful initiative. Parents and children were recently singing at Debenhams. Alongside this Wider Opportunities has provided expert instrumental tuition to a whole year group at a time, together with Roadshows of brass/strings/woodwind/percussion that have stimulated interest and enjoyment amongst our pupils. I hope the Henley Review identifies the essential need for music education for all, and that the Government places a requirement in a new National Curriculum with earmarked funds. We need a John Winterflood (Swindon Music Service) and a Liz Terry (Sing Up) to make this happen. Our children would be much richer as a result, and it is difficult to see any effective alternative provision - it is a specialized area of school life.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
An intensive time.
Each week is very full and recently I had the opportunity of visiting both the Isle of Wight and flying to the Isle of Man in the same week. What characterized both visits are shared challenges, very different contexts and the professionalism of local NAHT Officers when supporting Members.
The Isle of Wight is undergoing substantial structural change, with the demise of Middle Schools, and the introduction of an external Academy provider for a group of schools, and a further going into a Trust. The remaining schools will be with the LA. The Branch Secretary, John Dear, has worked tirelessly on behalf of colleagues. I was pleased to visit a number of schools including one of the Middle schools where senior staff expressed their concern that children will lose something special when the current system finishes next year.
We were met on Sunday at the airport on the Isle of Man by Tom Thompson Branch Secretary who gave us an impromptu tour of the Island. The next morning we visited two schools one of 280, and the other of six.
I saw quality work in both islands. The Isle of Man has invested well in Apple Macs and these were well used in a range of curriculum activities. It is facing a huge challenge to public finances with changes in VAT arrangements with the UK whereby there is a gap of £140 million to close with obvious effects upon schools. Again Tom was well respected by his colleagues and ensured that their views were clearly communicated.
I met with both Directors and discussed the key issues of reorganization and economic challenge.
The Isle of Wight is undergoing substantial structural change, with the demise of Middle Schools, and the introduction of an external Academy provider for a group of schools, and a further going into a Trust. The remaining schools will be with the LA. The Branch Secretary, John Dear, has worked tirelessly on behalf of colleagues. I was pleased to visit a number of schools including one of the Middle schools where senior staff expressed their concern that children will lose something special when the current system finishes next year.
We were met on Sunday at the airport on the Isle of Man by Tom Thompson Branch Secretary who gave us an impromptu tour of the Island. The next morning we visited two schools one of 280, and the other of six.
I saw quality work in both islands. The Isle of Man has invested well in Apple Macs and these were well used in a range of curriculum activities. It is facing a huge challenge to public finances with changes in VAT arrangements with the UK whereby there is a gap of £140 million to close with obvious effects upon schools. Again Tom was well respected by his colleagues and ensured that their views were clearly communicated.
I met with both Directors and discussed the key issues of reorganization and economic challenge.
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