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!