www.sec-ed.com News
Heads
In brief
All aboard
The number of students
attending boarding schools has
risen to 68,131, more than 1,000
unite for
up on last year. Figures released
by the Independent Schools’
Council show the biggest rise in
boarders since 2002. Chairman
of the Boarding Schools
Association, Melvyn Roffe, said:
“These numbers are a tribute to
the efforts schools have made
SATs
to adapt to a changing market,
to provide what modern parents
and pupils want from a boarding
school.”
Down to business
boycott
A further 150 school business
managers across nine regions
have been awarded either the
Certificate of School Business
Management or the more
advanced Diploma of School
Business Management by the
National College for School
by Chris Parr
Another secondary head, Keith Leadership. The qualifications
Cotgrave, from Longfield School give expertise in managing
in Darlington, slammed the current resources effectively, attracting
Does your head’s PA
Secondary heads joined forces SATs regime as being “unfit for new revenue, and providing
with their primary counterparts purpose”. leadership support. Applications
at the National Association of A third, Simon Decker, from are now open for the next round
Head Teachers’ (NAHT) annual Rainham Park Grammar School in of training in November 2008.
conference on Saturday (May 2) Gillingham, said he was one of Visit: www.ncsl.org.uk
deserve recognition?
to vote in favour of boycotting the the 70 per cent of secondary heads
2010 key stage 2 SATs. that test year 7 students on entry,
The vote came just moments because he feels the data from key
Headline figures
after minister for children, schools stage 2 SATs cannot be trusted. Figures show that heads in Wales
and families, Ed Balls, had plead- Elsewhere at the conference, are getting younger, and that
The race is on to become the 2009 a gala dinner, before the 2009 winner ties, and will routinely check for ed with delegates not to pass the delegates lashed out further at the there is still an unrepresentative
SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the is announced and all other finalists urgent emails, even when she is motion, claiming that tearing up the Department for Children, Schools number of female teachers
Year, and entries from all corners recognised with certificates. supposed to be on holiday, and for- controversial exam papers would and Families (DCSF), calling on reaching the top. The General
of the UK have already started to In one of the nominations ward them to me for my attention.” be “unprofessional”, and set a bad ministers to “reign in the red tape” Teaching Council for Wales
arrive. already received, a Hertfordshire Every entrant who makes the example to students. and allow teachers to concentrate Annual Statistics Digest shows
Since the inaugural event three headteacher describes how difficult final gets a certificate marking their It comes after members of the on teaching. that the number of heads over
years ago, the awards have become his job would be were it not for the achievement, and we then choose National Union of Teachers (NUT) Proposing the motion, former 50 has decreased by more than
a hugely popular and prestigious assistance of his PA. bronze, silver and gold awards, as unanimously supported an identical SEN school head Rona Tutt referred five per cent this year, while the
way of recognising the work done He writes: “(My PA’s) thorough well as a number of highly com- motion at its annual conference last to the “6,000 words of guidance” number under 45 increased by
by PAs in schools up and down the approach is legendary in our school. mended PAs. month, and it now means that mem- issued by the DCSF in 2008/09, four per cent. It also shows little
country. No head of department can escape This year, the finals will take bers of both unions could ballot to along with 100 statutory instru- change in the gender split, which
The fourth annual awards ceremo- making a requested paper return place on Friday, November 20, and refuse to administer the tests next ments, or regulations. remains unreflective of the fact
ny will take place at the prestigious – (she) will pursue the colleague the awards are once again being year if they are not abandoned. Ms Tutt urged the government that 74.4 per cent of teachers are
Landmark Hotel in London later this until the document is produced! kindly supported by the DCSF John Swallow, former secondary to cut back the bureaucracy, and female – in secondary schools
year, where around 35 finalists and “She is equally thorough in her International School Award, which headteacher and a past president of plough the money saved back into only 23 per cent of heads are
their headteachers will be treated to approach to her own responsibili- is managed by the British Council. the NAHT, told SecEd that is was schools. female.
a “courageous, brave decision” and Mr Decker, who was inter-
that the secondary sector would also viewed by SecEd earlier this year
reap the rewards. after giving evidence to a House of
Veggie challenge
He said: “If the primary and sec- Lords inquiry into the amount of To coincide with National
ondary sectors work together, then regulation, said: “There needs to be Vegetarian Week, which runs
we can achieve better practice for more rigorous controls put in place from May 18, the Vegetarian
everyone. I wouldn’t have missed at local authority level to ensure Society is launching a Seasonal
this vote (to boycott SATs) for the that schools aren’t overloaded, and Recipe Competition for Young
world, since it really shows our teeth that headteachers aren’t continu- People. Students are challenged
to Ed Balls, and will act as a catalyst ally dragged away from leading to submit a starter, main course
to productive discussions.” their schools.” or pudding themed on one of
the four seasons. Prizes include
Literature figures
places on a Cordon Vert Kids in
the Kitchen course. The closing
date is July 17. Visit: www.
vegsoc.org
spark political row
Fond farewell
Tributes have been paid to
Ministers have dismissed claims the vast majority of students were Sir Mike Tomlinson, after his
that thousands of students are not taught literature while at school. decision to retire as chief advisor
being taught about the great works He said: “Both the English and for London schools from the end
of literature, after the Conservatives English literature GCSEs include of May. A replacement is already
revealed that more than one in four Shakespeare and other great works being sought. Sir Mike, who
pupils does not sit an English litera- of English literature so it’s wrong was heavily involved with the
ture GCSE. to say that pupils are not reading London Challenge project, said:
All winners: In 2008, Pam Waters from Forest Gate Community School in London scooped Michael Gove, Tory shadow the classics. Last year 96 per cent “It is the headteachers, teachers
the gold award (centre, top), while Sharon Dow from Merchiston School in Edinburgh minister for children, schools of pupils sat an exam that included and students who have impressed
won silver (right, top), and Linda Cox from King Edward VII Technology College in Melton and families, claimed that almost English literature and more young me with their determination to
Mowbray took bronze (left, top). More than 30 other PAs were also recognised with 190,000 youngsters left school people are achieving the higher improve and be successful. I do
awards last year, including six highly commended prizes (above) without sitting the exam last year, grades in English each year.” believe that London’s schools
an increase of 20 per cent on 2003 Ian McNeilly, director at the have never been better, though
figures. National Association for the there is still more to do.”
How to enter your PA
He said: “Gordon Brown talks Teaching of English, told SecEd
The awards are open to every UK secondary school, state or independent.
about promoting Britishness to our that he felt the falling numbers were
All you need to do is write a testimonial of between 500 and 700 words explaining to us why your PA
children but the reality of what’s indicative of schools pulling pupils
special role
is vital to your school and its community – it really is as simple as that.
happening under Labour is very who might not achieve a C grade An educationalist with more
different. An understanding and from the examination so they can than 40 years’ experience of the
Our judging panel always looks for evidence of a PA’s dedication and loyalty to their role, as well as
knowledge of English literature is concentrate on English. sector, and who was involved in
evidence of the impact that they have on the school’s systems and operations. We look for the impact PAs something we would all consider He added: “Although there is the development of the specialist
have with the teaching and support staff in the school, as well as with the students.
an essential part of education to currently a literary element within schools concept, has taken over
We want to hear about PAs who take on duties above and beyond their job specification, but also
GCSE level for all pupils. It is English, a full and more beneficial as chairman of the Specialist
about those who have revolutionised the traditional PA role within a school.
therefore shocking that the subject experience is gained from the study Schools and Academies Trust.
is in decline to the extent that more of English literature. Curriculum Nick Stuart has held senior
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, October 1, although we advise you to get them in as soon as
than one in four pupils does not changes starting in 2010 will exac- positions in the civil service,
you can. For more guidance or to submit nominations, email pete.h@markallengroup.com even sit it at GCSE.” erbate the situation. English litera- including deputy secretary for
You can also send your nominations to SecEd PA of the Year, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill,
However, schools minister Jim ture might soon be seen as for the schools. He replaced outgoing
London, SE24 0PB. Good luck!
Knight hit back, accusing Mr Gove supposed ‘elite’ – a very dangerous chair Sir James Hill as of May 1.
of “talking nonsense”, adding that and harmful possibility.”
SecEd • May 7 2009 3
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