Headmaster Anthony Seldon’s calls for an urgent debate on the future of education, because it’s become “formulaic and mechanised”, have received widespread coverage in the media. So is he right – do we need another shake-up, or is that the last thing that should be on the agenda?
Writing in The Observer, Anthony Seldon, political commentator and headmaster of private school Wellington College, called for a new education debate – 35 years after James Callaghan called for his great debate because of apparent public concerns over informal teaching methods. This paved the way for the national curriculum.
“Our schools and universities are geared towards the requirements of the 20th century, with students assessed on regurgitating information, but often incapable or unwilling to think independently,” argues Dr Seldon, in his Observer piece (14.2.2010).
“Concerns are now heard that the new focus on league tables is narrowing the quality and breadth of education,” he says.
“‘Punch-drunk’ with constant reforms”
The Daily Telegraph quoted a spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, who said Dr Seldon’s view was “very negative”. And the Telegraph also reported John Dunford, secretary general of the Association of School and College Leaders, as saying that “changes were unlikely to be popular with staff who were already ‘punch-drunk’ with constant reforms”.
Meanwhile news blog EducationState welcomed the call for a debate, but one that is “genuine and open to all”, not one monopolised by what it describes as “Establishment figures”.
* Are we teaching pupils to think or just to pass exams? Is it time for a Great Debate, or is that the last thing pupils and teaching staff need? What do you think?
15 Feb 2010
Inner city secondary schools face headteacher shortage
The Guardian has reported that schools in England's poorest neighbourhoods could find themselves without a headteacher in a few years' time because of a dramatic decline in applications to a government-backed scheme that trains the future leaders of challenging comprehensives.
According to the newspaper (9/2/2010) , only a third of the number of last year’s applicants has applied to the Government’s ‘Future Leaders ’ scheme, which trains heads for challenging urban schools.
The scheme currently operates in London, the north-west, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Bristol and the on the south coast, although it may be expanded to cover other areas in the future.
The Future Leaders website says it “presents talented and committed people with a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills in preparation for National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), and thus make a significant difference to the lives of children and young people.”
Those selected for the programme can become headteachers within four years.The application deadline was extended until 16th February due to “the challenging start to the new year experienced by many schools”, according to The National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services website.
The Guardian reports that just 122 applications have been received, compared with 374 this time last year – when just one in seven applicants were selected.
According to the article, Heath Monk, Future Leaders' chief executive, attributes the sharp fall in applications to teachers being worried about the threat of public spending cuts on schools and deciding to stay in their current jobs.
In September last year, the Daily Telegraph reported that headteacher vacancies generally were unfilled at one in four schools. Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told the Telegraph that the Government should do more to address increased workload and pressure on senior leaders and offer salaries and working conditions “commensurate with the high expectations now placed on them.''
Have your say: are fast track management courses like Future Leaders the answer to recruiting quality headteachers in urban schools? Is it your goal to become a headteacher? Or is it your idea of a nightmare? Post your comment and let us know!
According to the newspaper (9/2/2010) , only a third of the number of last year’s applicants has applied to the Government’s ‘Future Leaders ’ scheme, which trains heads for challenging urban schools.
The scheme currently operates in London, the north-west, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Bristol and the on the south coast, although it may be expanded to cover other areas in the future.
The Future Leaders website says it “presents talented and committed people with a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills in preparation for National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), and thus make a significant difference to the lives of children and young people.”
Those selected for the programme can become headteachers within four years.The application deadline was extended until 16th February due to “the challenging start to the new year experienced by many schools”, according to The National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services website.
The Guardian reports that just 122 applications have been received, compared with 374 this time last year – when just one in seven applicants were selected.
According to the article, Heath Monk, Future Leaders' chief executive, attributes the sharp fall in applications to teachers being worried about the threat of public spending cuts on schools and deciding to stay in their current jobs.
In September last year, the Daily Telegraph reported that headteacher vacancies generally were unfilled at one in four schools. Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told the Telegraph that the Government should do more to address increased workload and pressure on senior leaders and offer salaries and working conditions “commensurate with the high expectations now placed on them.''
Have your say: are fast track management courses like Future Leaders the answer to recruiting quality headteachers in urban schools? Is it your goal to become a headteacher? Or is it your idea of a nightmare? Post your comment and let us know!
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