News Continued from page 1


so why fix it.” He feels able to make a decision based upon the needs of his school. For some other schools,


relationships have been less positive with the LA and academy status represents an opportunity for greater independence and the freedom to innovate. Durand Academy in Lambeth saw applying for academy status as the next stage in the school’s development. Headteacher Mark McLaughlin said: “The potential that this gives us for the future is immeasurable. We are now in the process of expanding our primary school into an all-through academy for three to 18-year-olds.” Durand will now be able to offer boarding provision for children from age 13 upwards. An alternative that would have been more difficult for them to explore under local authority control. These two schools have made


clear choices according to what they see as their best interests. Lincolnshire county council is keen to stress that this is still the case for their schools too. However, there is a sense of “wait and see”, particularly among primary schools. Mr Bullock reflects a level of hesitancy: “At some point in the future there may be difficulties with the LA’s lack of money but we’ll meet those hurdles as we come to them.” Will there be any alternatives


for the small primary schools in Lincolnshire? In Headteacher Update May 2011 we described how primary heads in Blackpool are “doing it for themselves”. Perhaps, this is the time for primaries in other authorities to pool their resources, build on existing partnerships and swim against the tide.


• What do you think? Email david. taylor@markallengroup.com


Government listens to Lord Bew over reforms to SATs


The current SAT writing tests will be replaced with a teacher assessment and there will be a greater emphasis on progress as the government looks to reform key stage 2 examinations. It comes after education


minister Michael Gove accepted in full the recommendations of the independent review of testing, assessment and accountability by Lord Bew. Mr Gove announced the


changes during the summer, many of which have been supported by unions representing primary headteachers and teachers. Currently there is statutory


teacher assessment in every core subject – maths, reading, writing, speaking and listening, and science. There are also external tests in maths, writing and reading, and a sample test in science. However, the reforms will see


a teacher assessment of writing composition which will make up the “larger part of the overall writing judgement”. Elsewhere, new progress


measures will come in for the 2011 performance tables to focus on the performance of low, middle and high attainers. It is hoped this will stop schools being forced to focus on the Level 3/4 borderline. The government also wants to introduce a test from 2013 which will examine some of the “essential skills” needed to become fluent, confident writers. It hopes to develop and trial this test with the profession. Mr Gove said that maths and


reading tests will continue to be externally tested, but will be “refined


over time”. Teacher assessment of science with a sample test monitoring standards will continue. Mr Gove said: “These changes


represent an educationally sound approach and substantial reform. I have always been clear that external accountability is essential if we are to drive up standards, and Lord Bew’s report recognises this. Publishing a greater range of data will be fairer for schools – schools should not be judged on one measure alone. “There has been criticism that


the current writing test encourages drilling. It is clear that elements of writing where there are right and wrong answers – spelling, punctuation and grammar – lend themselves to external testing. But writing composition is better suited to teacher assessment. We will trust teachers to judge their pupils’ abilities.” The government hopes to


introduce most of the changes from 2012. The National Association of


Head Teachers has welcomed the Bew recommendations, including the writing assessment plans and the focus on progress.


The union, alongside the


National Union of Teachers, boycotted the SATs in 2010, but postponed similar action this year in order to engage with Lord Bew’s review. General secretary Russell


Hobby, said: “We are particularly encouraged that Lord Bew has recommended teacher assessment for writing and that far greater weight be given to teacher assessment overall. This will reduce drilling and give both parents and secondary schools a far more accurate picture of pupils’ achievement. “The move away from crude


attainment statistics toward a new focus on pupil progress as a mark of effective schools is critical. It will highlight those schools that do fantastic work in the most challenging circumstances and level the playing field for them. “The NAHT has campaigned


long and hard for changes to assessment and accountability in primary schools, with many school leaders putting their careers on the line in 2010 to drive home the case. The current system is arbitrary, unfair and inaccurate.”


Welsh warning over ‘regulation gap’


Safeguards are being put in place to reduce the risk of “unsuitable” teachers working in Wales. The General Teaching Coun-


cil for Wales (GTCW) is worried about a “regulation gap” after the abolition of its English counterpart and there are fears that this could lead to teachers crossing the bor- der without declaring previous dis- ciplinary records. It was announced last year that


the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) will be abolished from April 2012. The closure of the GTCE was one of the first cuts to be made by education minister Michael Gove after the election.


2 The GTCE will hand over its


regulatory functions to the Depart- ment for Education in April 2012, from which time Mr Gove will become accountable for cases of teacher misconduct and maintain- ing the list of those barred. The GTCW says this could lead


to a “regulatory gap” with the possibilities of teachers slipping undetected into Welsh jobs. However, the body announced


this week that teachers wanting to work in Wales will now have to declare any previous disciplinary action when applying for jobs. Speaking to Headteacher Update, GTCW deputy chief execu-


tive, Hayden Llewellyn slammed the abolishment of the GTCE. He said that regulatory bodies are com- mon practice worldwide and should be in place for the public’s interest. He added: “We (the GTCW) have


ensured strong safeguarding regula- tions are in place, such as checking qualifications they have, past disci- plinary records and ensuring they are watertight so teachers can’t simply just move without disclosing details. “Once the GTCE has gone,


headteachers in England who sack members of their teaching staff for misconduct will no longer be obliged to refer the matter to a professional body.


“Even if they choose to refer


cases to the new Teaching Agency, it only has power to impose pro- hibition orders, so many cases are likely to go unrecorded because they are not considered serious enough to fall into that category.” Mr Llewellyn added: “England


has effectively rolled the clock back to the days when effective regula- tion depended on the goodwill and co-operation of the employ- ers. By abolishing the professional body in England and removing the headteacher’s obligation to report dismissals, the government in Westminster has created a risk that applies right across the UK.”


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