downsmail.co.uk


Head givesminister a viewfrom‘the coalface’


A HEADMASTER put his views on modern teaching to the heart of government last month, when he hosted the education secretary at Loose Primary School. DarrenWebb (43) said themeet-


ingwith DamianHindsMPwas a chance to give the minister “valu- able feedback fromthe coalface”. The former comprehensivepupil


–who, asCEOofCoppice Primary Partnership, has turnedaroundthe academic fortunes of Loose and Coxheath schools – saidhe covered topics as diverse as finance and teacher recruitment. He told Downs Mail: “I have


supported the Government’s calls for savings. I agree there was money being spent that did not represent good value. “However, we havemade those


changes and the pinch points are nowbeing felt in the system. “There are nomore savings to be


made without the loss of teaching staff,whichwill impact the educa-


Education secretary Damian Hinds (left) with head teacher DarrenWebb


tion of pupils. This is a story being repeated across the country.” The head, who is currently re-


sponsible for the education ofmore than 1,000 pupils, also spoke of a growing crisis in recruitment and the retention of teachers.MrWebb rejected the suggestion that larger pay packets are the answer, but said more needs to be done to make teaching a careerwith status and value. He added: “The number of ap-


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plicants we receive for teaching posts has dropped substantially. “There is a need for the govern-


ment to not only recognise the ef- forts beingmade at schools across the country, but to provide train- ing and leadership opportunities thatwill retain good teachers.” He told Mr Hinds that invest-


ment in training, alongwith better leadership, direction and recogni- tion,wouldhelpinvigorate a ‘frag- mented’ education system.


News Minibus hit


HEADCORNScouts have been immobilised after the minibus they use to transport groups to activities and camps was tar- geted by criminals. The vehicle was vandalised


while parked in Ulcombe Road on the evening of February 5. A spokesman said: “Consid-


erabledamagewas causedtothe interior and back windows. It maybe some timebeforewe are back on the road.”


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