My NAHT Presidential Year comes to a close.

I wanted to take the opportunity to record a few words in my last few days as President.

I'd like to thank the Northern Ireland committee and Colm and Michael in particular for a wonderful couple of days at the last National Executive in Belfast.

Well it all started with Children singing in Liverpool and I was delighted with a standing ovation for the presidential speech -  the entrance to the gala evening will last long in my, and my family's, memory.

Any President will tell you that it is their aim is to leave the association in a better place than where they began - our members rightly demand nothing less. In Kenya there is a term used by a previous President, Daniel Arap Moi - 'Nyayo' which means leaving footprints in life. 

One or two shared footprints from 2010/2011:

Firstly, the Bedouin tent has of necessity, with the refurbishment of the former Bonnington Hotel, meant the National Executive seeing other parts of the Country this year, but I believe that places like Bath and Belfast have shown we can at times conduct our business outside of London very successfully as a national association. A balance in someway with a revitalized Bonnington or Hilton Doubletree as it will be known, would be good.  

We had a positive changeover of General Secretary without the pain and dislocation that could have occurred. We also have indisputably the right General Secretary, and we have had an excellent working relationship.

A restructuring of HQ is well advanced to place us in a position to meet the needs and aspirations of our members. We must now ensure that this promise is fulfilled. 
I appreciate the considerable effort of many staff to make high quality provision for Member's needs.
 
We have had a new Government with an electoral mandate. In meeting with Ministers it is clear that they now take the Association as a serious organization with gravitas and they are in a better position to consider education policy if they talk with us first as recent progress has demonstrated. Fewer u turns will then be necessary. We need the 'Freedom to flourish'.

This blog illustrates just some of the engagement such as speeches, articles and discussions which I've been able to have with Branches, Regions, other school leader organizations, government, media, and individual members. This is frankly a punishing schedule throughout the year.         

I have been particularly pleased, following the lengthy and ultimately fruitless efforts of a working party of council in a previous year, to lead a task and finish group - and I pay tribute to that group - which has led to the new method of National Executive working including the introduction of a new committee structure and in particular the information session which ensures all executive members leave here richer and better able to perform your roles in the districts branches regions and sectors. These excellent foundations are now ready to be further built upon.

At times I frankly admit I could have had a much quieter life at one or two points and go through the motions, but that is not me and I have always tried to work by principle and as custodian of the naht best interests. This has required on occasion telling individuals to wake up and smell the coffee. This has been done carefully, often behind the scenes, and invariably taken with good grace. 

I think our debate and engagement in the National Executive this year has been rigorous, but in good humour and should command the respect of our members for these efforts and expertise and that of our HQ staff in developing and carrying out association policy always with the best interests of members at heart. There is no better voice when a member feels the world is caving in, or they just need support to do their job that little bit better, than the NAHT.

We have challenges such as developing the use of video conferencing which is so much better than teleconferencing and could enable colleagues to effectively engage at a lower cost in the range of smaller meetings we have.

I have met some great colleagues and characters around the Country from Northumberland to Ian Bruce in Cornwall, from Tom Thompson on the Isle of Man to John Deare on the Isle of Wight, and Windermere to the indefatigable Barbara Letchford in Kent, and a sane view in the New Forest from David Mewes. Many of these with National Executive colleagues quietly ensure the NAHT challenges the unfair, the uninspiring and unacceptable which causes so much anxiety and sleepless nights for school leaders who are simply doing their very best for the next generation.      

I intend to undertake the role of Immediate Past President and support Chris and Steve, but I am also looking to restore and develop my family life. In July, Veronicah is having twins and has just been successful in gaining a place on a PGCE course. I am looking forward to returning as Headteacher of Goddard Park in Swindon and working with the whole school community again. This will be my 25th year as a Head - a brilliant job - and 20 years in Goddard Park with my fabulous team and children. 

I would like to thank my wife, Veronicah, and my daughters Zoe and Sally, my grandchildren and many friends for their support this year.  My little James: the innocence and unconditional love of this little boy is the light of my life.

I would like to thank you for your kindness and support in this most unique year in my life. 
I am, and will always remain, so proud to have been National President of the NAHT. 

Thank you. 

The blog continues.......

November, April, and August: international engagement and decision-making

Alan November updated some of his previous talks with a positive view of children's engagement with the Internet. He provided excellent examples of how pupils' work could end up on e.g. School tube, and You Tube. 
I again held key talks with representatives of international school leader associations considering joining the International Confederation of Principals  (which NAHT is a Member of), including the NAESP who are carefully developing their position. ICP are extending Observer status to both NAESP (Elementary and NASSP (Secondary School Principals) for it's Council meeting at the 2011 ICP Convention in August in Toronto.
ICP is engaged in a reform programme designed to improve it's engagement with national associations and to share good practice throughout the world. Key players include Ontario Principals Council, and IPPN in Ireland.
A 'Plan B' should this fail to thrive is the possible creation of a World Forum charging individual schools being developed by Ton Duif in the Netherlands. 
Toronto will be an important juncture for these discussions.     

24 hours to Tampa (with apologies to Gene Pitney and Tulsa)

The last Conference of my Presidential year is the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in the US. It's taking place in Tampa, Florida, a State I've never been to. In order to keep expenditure down my relatively cheap flight meant travelling from Heathrow to O'Hare in Chicago, and then flying south east to Tampa.
As part of the Kenyan dispora one of Veronicah's best friends from her early working days Tina, lives in Tampa with Mario, and their seven-month old son, Malik. So again I paid for Veronicah and James to accompany me at the Conference. As it's the Easter break immediately afterwards we are then moving from the Conference hotel to stop with Tina and Mario, before going on a driving tour of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and finally arriving in Washington DC to stop with Veronicah's cousin, Minneh who has just become engaged to Chris. A later stopover is taking us to Dallas to meet another cousin, Grace, who is married to Kelvin and have Leon and Kamau. 
I'm particularly interested in the American Civil War and hope to see several key sites.

The Conference began with Sir Ken Robinson the UK's guru on creativity who now very creatively lives permanently in Los Angeles which he says is a short plane ride from America. His message is of vital importance however: that education systems should be encouraging creativity, passion, spirit, and energy with children in order to engage and prosper in the future.

Ken talks of Wayne Gretsky, the great Ice hockey player, who said that he never went to where the puck was, but where he thought it would be next! The backward-looking accountability loved by Governments and media is stifling children, and encourages teaching to tests which leads to meaningless grind. Of course children need to communicate and be numerate, but current 'if it moves measure it' systems are letting them down.
I refer again to Finland where, in one of the world's highest achieving education systems, there is no external assessments until the age of 18.
Ken may spend a considerable amount of time working with corporations now looking at creativity, but it is they amongst others who will employ our children. The CBI and others in the UK now rate very highly, for example, the ability to work in teams. Are we taking any notice? 

Not just a dark blues win in the boat race.

An excellent day with colleagues at a Presidential Seminar (and Workshop) on responding to the Government's consultation on the National Curriculum, in Wolfson College, Oxford. Representatives of Primary, Secondary, and Special Committees, National Officers, and key HQ staff took part. It was an excellent meeting with the opportunity to listen, think, and debate on the future of of the NC. The NAHT has always stood for a framework curriculum that does not over-prescribe detail, thereby entrusting teachers with pedagogy rather than civil servants. The heavy schedule of modern life can lead to reductionism, whereby major issues are dealt with in five minutes in a meeting, or by soundbite in the media. This day heralded a positive approach and continued the improved level of engagement and scrutiny this year by the National Executive that members would and should expect of us.

On the rails this week with First Great Western, Arriva Wales, and Virgin Cross Country.

The intensive schedule continues unabated.
On 21st March I had two meetings including Strategy at the Commonwealth Club just off Trafalgar Square.
On the Tuesday in the same venue I Chaired my last joint meeting of NHT and ASCL  in the morning and then Chaired the NAHT/ASCL/NGA/ADCS in the afternoon. Both were forward looking meetings which were intended to further develop the close working relationships and consider our positions on the key issues in accountability including governance, austerity, autonomy, as well as teaching and learning, curriculum, and pay and conditions. This always leads to a full meeting with interesting debate. In the evening I made my way by train and car to deepest Wiltshire to meet a group of Governors.
Wednesday was a four hour round trip to be the key speaker at the Dorset, Bournemouth, and Poole AGM. This also marked the retirement of Margaret Davies, Dorset Branch Secretary, who has made an invaluable contribution to the position of school leaders in the County. I am pleased that Vanessa Lucas, another Weymouth Headteacher, took on the mantle. The work of our Branch Secretaries is vital in each LA, and probably even more so as Governance becomes more dispersed with the advent of academies.
Thursday meant catching a train to Chepstow - a beautiful route into Wales from Gloucester and Cheltenham - to speak at the Bristol school leaders residential. Then another train immediately afterwards to Leeds. The train is crowded with racegoers going home from Chepstow after a full card. All shapes and sizes, but a smattering of younger participants with what would be seen as clothing to watch horse racing in: brown flat hats, and checked waistcoats. Although carefully affected it was still good to see some thought of tradition in these youths. I arrived in Leeds at 10.45pm to be met in the bar by three Executive Members and the General Secretary - any thought of an early night vanished, and a good time was had by all.
Friday involved introducing the NAHT Education Conference (North) and then the usual double-act with Russell when completing his session. A quick lunchtime dash to Leeds station had us on a train to Grantham for the Lincolnshire Branch AGM. About 80 Members were present and they were very focussed on the future work of the Branch. After our presentations there was an overwhelming request for a further special Branch Meeting on the academy programme which I agreed to attend. The key discussions were on SATs and Pensions - themes in virtually all my recent Branch Meetings.
The train home and a relatively early finish at 7pm on Friday and able to catch up with Veronicah and play with James was very welcome.

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.  

At the National Association of Secondary School Principals (USA) in San Francisco

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

  

        

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. 

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.

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.