Rio’s golden headteachers’ Mary bousted: girls (and Boys) alternative to this year’s grammar plans tuc president

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SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 | EDITION 77

WHY THE SECRECY ABOUT ACADEMY CASH? Page 2

Schools demand pupils’ passports

 New rules on collection of nationality data misunderstood  Parents asked if their child is a refugee or asylum seeker P3

FREDDIE WHITTAKER AND BILLY CAMDEN this month to include pupils’ nationalities and @SCHOOLSWEEK countries of birth. Exclusive The government insisted the change was driven SPOT THE Schools are demanding copies of pupils’ passports by a “dearth of information” about how effective and asking parents to confirm if their children the education sector was for foreign nationals. Its CONNECTION are asylum seekers or refugees amid confusion guidance states that schools should seek birthplace over a new legal duty requiring the collection of data from parents, although it is not compulsory BREXIT AND A NEW nationality data. for parents to provide it. Schools Week revealed in June that the However, an investigation by Schools Week SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN Department for Education (DfE) had expanded suggests that schools have misinterpreted the

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EDITION 77 NEWS

St Richard’s Church of first Children who were not white British school in Evesham, Worcestershire, also SCHOOLS WEEK TEAM wrote to parents this week requesting Editor: Laura McInerney told to send in birthplace data pupils’ passport numbers. “They can’t opt out of asking the question; Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary Features editor: Cath Murray FREDDIE WHITTAKER AND BILLY CAMDEN they have to put the form out with the right of the Association of School and College @SCHOOLSWEEK CONTINUED FROM FRONT Head designer: Nicky Phillips questions, but they are not entitled to ask Leaders, said schools should “sensitively” Designer: Matthew Willsone asking for pupils’ passport numbers and for passport numbers.” ask parents for the information and for parents to confirm their child is not an Schools Week found De Beauvoir primary explain why it was being collected, but Sub editor: Jill Craven asylum seeker. school, in Hackney, east London, has issued should not request documents. Schools Chief reporter: John Dickens It comes during a time of heightened a form to parents that appears to require that had done so should “simply make a deportation concerns in some staff to check details provided against very brief apology” and explain they had Political reporter: Freddie Whittaker communities. Earlier this month protesters passports and birth certificates, and asks misunderstood the guidance. Reporter: Billy Camden demonstrated outside the Jamaican high guardians to specify whether or not their “There are some very legitimate reasons Reporter: Jess Staufenberg commission after more than 50 people – child is a refugee or asylum seeker. behind the collection of this data,” said many who had lived in the UK all their lives At Garth Hill college in Bracknell, Trobe, who claimed it would help schools Junior reporter: Sam King – were deported. Berkshire, parents received different and the government understand the impact Photographer: Ellis O’Brien The confusion could increase fears emails depending on their child’s of language GCSEs on foreign nationals. among ethnic minority families about how recorded ethnicity. Those with “We have been completely assured Cartoonist: Stan Dupp the data might be used, although education children recorded as being white that none of this is being passed to Financials: Helen Neilly leaders say they have received assurances it British were told the school was the Home Office.” will not be passed to the Home Office. assuming they were British and The Department for Education Victoria Boyle Diane Leedham (pictured), a specialist born in the UK, and they should has now reconfirmed its guidance. Sales manager: Vikrant Bassi English as an additional language (EAL) only respond if that assumption A spokesperson said: “The guidance Sales executive: Wallace Williams teacher, said she was worried about the was incorrect, while those is clear – there is no requirement for “range of interpretation” schools were with a different recorded schools to request a child’s passport Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell placing on the government’s “contentious ethnicity were told to or birth certificate”. He insisted but clear” instructions. Schools should send in birthplace the nationality and country of Contributors: James Kewin “make it clear that parents can opt-out if data as a matter of birth data “should be as stated Alex Sutherland they wish. urgency. by the parent or guardian”.

Amy Finch Jill Berry Bright Tribe finance review still under wraps Nigel Gann JOHN DICKENS Colin Richards @JOHNDICKENSSW Pressure is now mounting on party transactions were raised with the Exclusive the government to explain why it is government The education secretary has been accused withholding details of the report – with by Will Quince, Conservative MP for Managing director: Shane Mann of “hiding” a financial investigation into critics questioning why similar finance Colchester, after an investigation by The And tweet us your thoughts @schoolsweek or a controversial academy trust run by the reviews into other academy trusts have Observer newspaper in June. with the hashtag #schoolsweek government’s former free schools director. been published. In response, Nash said an EFA review The Bright Tribe trust was the subject Janet Downs, a campaigner for local had found additional transactions should subscribe of an Education Funding Agency (EFA) schools, said: “It’s important for the sake have been included in the trust’s latest For an annual subscription to Schools Week for review last month over payments it made of transparency that all reviews and accounts, adding: “we worked with the trust just £50 visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk and click to companies connected to its founder, action plans should be published. If they to make these disclosures in a revised set of on ‘subscribe’ at the top of the page. venture capitalist Michael Dwan. aren’t, then it raises the question about how accounts”. www.schoolsweek.co.uk Lord Nash, school system minister, said many other reviews and plans In July, Lord Watson, the shadow or call 020 8123 4778 to subscribe the trust was ordered to revise its 2014-15 remain hidden.” education minister in the Lords, highlighted accounts to include previously undisclosed Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Bright Tribe – with four other trusts – as ADVERTISE WITH US payments. Ham and a member of the education the most “egregious examples found by the The trust, run by former EFA free schools committee, lodged a parliamentary question Education Funding Agency of where the If you are interested in placing a product or job advert in a future edition please click on the deputy director Kathy Kirkham (pictured), in June asking if a copy of the Bright financial requirements for academy trusts ‘advertise’ link at the top of the page on school- disputes that the trust was told to revise its Tribe report could be put into the were not adhered to”. sweek.co.uk or contact: accounts. Commons library where it could be Of those examples listed, Bright Tribe is E: [email protected] But it is believed that the EFA drew up an accessed by MPs. seemingly the only case where a report has T: 020 81234 778 action plan for the trust, last year named by The government is yet to not been published. former education secretary Nicky Morgan respond. Timms said he was The EFA, on its website, says that it Disclaimer Schools Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views as a “top performing sponsor” and handed “puzzled” by the non- aims to publish investigations when “it is expressed within the publication are those of the authors a slice of a £5 million of government response and would appropriate to do so”. named, and are not necessarily those of Schools Week, Lsect Ltd or any of its employees. While we try to ensure that the funding to take over schools in the pursue the matter when This pledge refers to a number of information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. north. parliament was back after scenarios, including EFA assurance reviews The design of the printed newspaper and of the website The government’s rules state it is recess. relating to finance and governance, which is copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you in the public interest to publish such But he added: “It is an seemingly fits the description of the Bright wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper or the website, both the article’s author and Schools Week must investigations to show “transparency unsatisfactory situation. Tribe investigation. be referenced (to not do so, would be an infringement on about how public money I don’t think The Department for Education (DfE) copyright). Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external is spent”. academisation would only say that information was not internet sites linked to. Please address any complaints to the editor. We are fully Education secretary Justine was intended to routinely published and was decided on a committed to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Greening has refused a request hide information case-by-case basis. Practice. If you have a complaint which cannot be resolved by the editor, write to the Press Complaints Commission, Halton for a copy of the review by about public Bright Tribe pointed Schools Week House, 22—23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD Schools Week, made under funding, which to a statement on its website, published the Freedom of Information has always been last month, which said its accounts were Learning & Skills Events, Act. She said releasing the in the public submitted once and “have not been Consultancy and Training Ltd information domain – and amended or revised”. 161-165 Greenwich High Road would inhibit the exchange should be now as However, the trust said that Dwan London SE10 8JA of free and frank views well.” “sought to enhance the disclosure relating T: 020 8123 4778 between the agency and Concerns about to his support to ensure there was no E: [email protected] trusts. Bright Tribe’s related- misunderstanding”. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 3 NEWS Campaign group promises power to the people JOHN DICKENS While at free market think tank Reform, WHO’S ON BOARD? @JOHNDICKENSSW Investigates Frayne is credited with setting up a similar organisation in the NHS, Doctors for Reform. Tom Bennett A line-up of education reformers – including The group claimed to represent 1,000 Founder, ResearchEd a former adviser to David Cameron – have medical practitioners, but again did not John Blake launched a campaign that will “mobilise disclose its funding. Lead practitioner, Harris Federation parents and teachers” to highlight the Schools Week understands one Christine Counsell achievements of academies and free such campaign, the StudentsFirst Director, Inspiration Trust schools, but details of the group’s movement in America – an Anthony Denny funders will not be released. education reform group that Parent and governor, Jane Austen college, The Parents and Teachers for pledged to empower parents – Norwich

Excellence (PTE) campaign group, T had “impressed” PTE’s strategists T E Rachel de Souza founded by Inspiration Trust chief N as the “right way to take the N E B Chief executive, Inspiration Trust executive Dame Rachel de Souza, TOM debate to ordinary people”. Toby French wants to shift the education debate from But Wolf said the situation in the Lead practitioner, Torquay academy school structures to school practices. UK was very different. Where the US was Claire Heald The group of 29 reformers aims to start focused on getting reformers elected, PTE Executive principal, Jane Austen college a national movement to promote four key would instead focus on building a coalition Karl Hoods principles they believe improve outcomes of heads, teachers and parents “to push the Chair of governors, Harris academy for pupils – including more testing, things they think are important”. Beckenham better discipline and a knowledge-based The group has already gained an The Inspiration Trust was accused of Hywel Jones curriculum. influential backing with its advisory council ignoring the wishes of parents when it took Head, West London free school The campaign, launched on Wednesday, including some of the leading lights of over the Hewett school, in Norwich, despite Michaela Khatib has been orchestrated by James Frayne, education reform (see full list, right). protests and an independent consultation Executive head, Cobham free school communications chief at the Department PTE states it is “strictly non-partisan”, but finding most of the respondents were hostile Mark Lehain for Education under Michael Gove, and some social media users have highlighted to a takeover. Principal, Bedford free school Rachel Wolf, a former adviser to David that its members have links to the The trust said the consultation represented Stuart Lock Cameron. Wolf will also sit on the Conservative government. only a small number of parents, adding its Head, Cottenham Village College, Cambs group’s advisory council. Frayne But de Souza, a “superhead” plans for an extended day to deliver sport, Helena Mills was also a former director at who is credited with founding performing arts and music enrichment – one Chief executive, Burnt Mills academy trust think tank Policy Exchange and the campaign, said it was time to of the PTE’s core principles – were widely Munira Mirza S communications manager at think L move the education debate from welcomed. IL Former deputy mayor of education for M tank Reform. A the “elites in Westminster and The group’s members will now use EN London PTE is refusing to name its financial HEL Whitehall”. national and local press and education Dan Moynihan backers, and would only say it is being “We are creating a movement that will events to push the case for reform. It will also Chief executive, Harris Federation funded by a “small group of philanthropists”. recruit and mobilise parents and teachers try to mobilise more parent activists to join Libby Nicholas The campaign has drawn parallels with from across the country to make the case their cause (there are currently six on Chief executive, Reach 4 academy trust what is known as “astroturfing” – the practice for change.” the council). Sara Noel of masking sponsors of an organisation But having de Souza as the public The PTE website will also Parent and governor, Cottenham Village to push a public relations campaign as a face of a campaign to empower publish research notes. The first College S grassroots movement. parents could prove divisive. N two published on Wednesday O Martyn Oliver M I focused on effective discipline S N Chief executive, Outwood Grange A TH policies and the benefits of NA academies trust PARENTS AND TEACHERS FOR EXCELLENCE: JO academies and free schools. James O’Shaughnessy THE FOUR PRINCIPLES A recent government proposal for Founder of Floreat Education academies parents to trigger the sacking of an academy • PROMOTE A KNOWLEDGE-BASED CURRICULUM THAT EMPHASISES trust sponsor has not formed part of PTE’s Bruno Reddy EXTENSIVE SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE thinking so far, but Schools Week was told Former head of maths, King Solomon they would be open to helping parents push • PROMOTE THE BENEFITS OF A REGULAR, RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT academy, north London for change – when needed. THROUGHOUT PUPILS’ SCHOOL LIVES Martin Robinson A PTE spokesperson also confirmed that Author Trivium 21c • PROMOTE ENRICHMENT THROUGH A LONGER SCHOOL DAY it would steer clear of the grammar debate, Mark Rose adding that it was focused on what happens • PROMOTE THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOUR POLICIES Governor, Great Yarmouth primary in the classroom. academy Jo Saxton Chief executive, Turner Schools multi-academy trust Vote Leave campaigner listed as director Tony Sewell Founder, Generating Genius Exclusive Jonathan Simons Head of education, Policy Exchange One of the two directors behind the PTE to make the case for education reform. and on the Today programme. Luke Sparkes movement was a key figure in the official Moynihan – who has donated more than Moynihan was the executive chairman Principal, Dixons Trinity academy, Leeds campaign for the UK to leave the EU, Schools £70,000 to the Conservative party – was on the of PA Consulting, a firm that specialises in Alex Wade Week can reveal. board of Vote Leave and a vocal figure in the management consulting, technology and Parent and chairman of governors, Jon Moynihan, a venture capitalist and campaign. innovation. Fulham boys’ school, west London chairman of the finance committee of Vote He also donated £60,000 to Vote He is now co-principal of Ipex Capital, the Claire Ward Leave, is listed alongside Dame Rachel de Leave, according to Electoral Commission high-technology venture capital arm of PA Parent, Cobham free school, Kent Souza, chief executive of Inspiration Trust, as figures. Consulting. Rachel Wolf a director of PTE. He was described by the Daily Mail as one Schools Week has been told PTE will be run Founder, The New Schools Network; The organisation pledges to shift the of the group’s “most media-friendly faces” as a company, rather than a charity, so that it former special adviser to the prime education debate from the “elites in and regularly appeared in national media is not bound by rules restricting charities from minister Whitehall” and mobilise parents and teachers promoting Brexit, including in The Telegraph undertaking political campaigning. 4 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 NEWS Trust office move is Prep school forced to back down on 11-plus claims just the ticket . . .

JOHN DICKENS BILLY CAMDEN “The 11-plus is not transparent @JOHNDICKENSSW @BILLYCAMDEN Exclusive and results are never published so schools can easily put up false The country’s largest academy chain A prep school boasting of its impressive figures, and the appeals bit of the is moving its headquarters to London record of getting pupils to grammar process is very unfair.” because staff need better access to train school has been rapped by the Advertising She pointed out that the stations. Standards Authority (ASA) for exaggerating school “talks about its fees as an The Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), its 11-plus successes. investment because it gets children which runs 66 schools, says the journey St Christopher’s school in Canterbury into grammars. We can expect a lot for its staff to and from its current base in claimed a 94 per cent pass rate for last more heavy marketing for 11-plus Hockley, Essex, and to its schools across year’s grammar school qualification exams test pass rates and prep schools the country is “not an easy one”. – advertising the result on its website and lying about results to attract parents The trust’s lease on its headquarters is due for renewal next year, and staff were banners on double-decker buses. who want their child to get into a told earlier this month they would relocate The school website says it is the “only grammar.” to London at the end of the year. Thirty independent primary school whose goal About 13 per cent of pupils at staff are based full-time in Essex. is for each child to maximise his or her grammars come into the state- Developing sponsors outside the capital potential by the time they reach the funded schools from a private is a central part of the government’s plan age of 11”. school. for expanding the academy programme. But the ASA has ordered the school to The FOI revealed that of the 17 Moves into the city, and away from remove or alter its branding after a Freedom pupils from St Christopher’s who regions, run counter to that. of Information (FOI) request revealed only took the 11-plus in 2015, nine and the ‘over 88 per cent’ we have now is just In a letter to staff, chief executive 53 per cent of its pupils actually passed the passed outright (53 per cent). one pupil, whom we are confident would Ian Comfort said the relocation had exam, with others passing on appeal. Among those who did not pass, five were have passed on appeal.” been approved by AET trustees and the The disclosure comes just weeks after the successful on headteacher appeal with a Explaining the appeals, Evans said that Education Funding Agency. government unveiled its plan to reintroduce separate case won after a parent appeal. “some children may not perform well in He said the new office was opposite grammar schools, fuelling worries that Fifteen of the 17 pupils therefore won a the test on the day”, adding: “We feel that it Euston station and five stops on the aggressive marketing tactics could become place at a grammar school – equivalent to is important not to define these pupils as Underground from London’s main rail common in primary schools. 88 per cent, a proportion still lower than failures.” stations. “With rail links from most of Joanne Bartley, a campaigner from claimed. Following a complaint by Bartley, the ASA our academy locations going straight to the anti-grammar expansion group Kent David Evans, headteacher of the told St Christopher’s to amend its advert. London, there are significant benefits in Education Network who lodged the FOI, £8,400-a-year prep school, said he The ASA published its informal ruling relocating.” said: “Parents in Kent are desperate to get recognised his school had made a mistake online on Wednesday confirming that Founded in Essex in 2008, AET now runs their children into grammar schools so there and apologised for the misleading claim. St Christopher’s agreed to amend the 66 schools – including in London, the is a lot of debate about which schools have “But the difference between the 94 per advertising without the need for a formal north of England, the Midlands and the the best pass rates. cent we claimed in our earlier advertising investigation. West Country. Latest accounts, from 2014-15, show its central services organisation posted a Fidelis preparatory school, a private school £1.5 million loss – down from £2.1 million TRUST FOUNDER DISPUTES in Norwood, south London, which has the previous year. been renamed the Henriette le Forestier Higher rent and office costs in the REVISED ACCOUNTS preparatory school. capital are an increasing issue for trusts Sister Bernadette Davey, headteacher of the Virgo Fidelis convent senior school, said its as they expand. But AET said the main JOHN DICKENS driver for its relocation was supporting its disputed as “over-stated”. junior school had been leased on a 25-year @JOHNDICKENSSW academies more effectively. Exclusive Averre-Beeson said he was baffled as deal to Averre-Beeson. Of the other five largest sponsors, only to why the accounts were reissued, and “The trustees made this decision as we have one – Oasis Community Learning – is The co-founder of an academy chain that insisted all relevant declarations over many commitments and we are sure that the based permanently in its own London is due to be wound up has claimed the trust potential conflict of interests had already school is in safe hands for the future.” headquarters. released inaccurate financial accounts to try been provided to auditors. Averre-Beeson said this was a “new The trust was originally based alongside to “embarrass him”. “There was no attempt to hide either the phase in the school’s life”, adding: “We its sponsor the Oasis Charitable Trust, but Trevor Averre-Beeson resigned as chief payments made to the companies or the have decades of experience of successfully moved to its own headquarters after an executive of the Lilac Sky Schools Academy salaries of members of my family.” running schools and look forward to expansion. Trust (LSSAT) in March last year, before its He said his school improvement supporting the children, families and However chief executive John Murphy nine schools were handed to new sponsors consultancy, Lilac Sky Schools, was invited staff of the school to the be the best that they has downsized the national office and in July this year. by the Department for Education in 2012 can be.” created a regional management structure. It is unclear why LSSAT dropped the to set up a trust and sponsor schools after He said Lilac Sky – through both the Staff are now based at a regional academy schools, but it is now known that the delivering services to councils in Essex private consultancy firm and the trust it or travel between them. Education Funding Agency (EFA) is taking a and Kent. sponsored – has run more than 17 schools, United Learning, which runs 42 schools, closer look at the trust’s finances. Payments But he said to “avoid any perceived many of which has been taken out of a low was originally based in Northamptonshire, but now, according to its website, has from the trust to firms run by its founders conflicts of interest, I voluntarily decided Ofsted category. offices in London, Peterborough and have totalled more than £1 million in the my companies should stop providing However LLSAT – under Averre-Beeson’s Manchester. past two years. services to the trust in 2015”. He then reign – was ordered to hand over one school, Some trusts also make use of their Schools Week also reported earlier this stepped down as chief executive. Tabor academy, in Essex, after it was placed sponsor to keep down rental costs. month that the trust had issued a revised set The EFA is yet to publish any findings from into special measures in January 2015. The Ark academy chain, which runs of accounts for 2014-15 detailing additional its investigation. Averre-Beeson, the former head of the 37 schools, is based in the same London payments to relatives of Averre-Beeson. When approached by Schools Week over school that Tony Blair rejected for his son – office as its sponsor, Ark charity. But in a statement issued this week, the why the trust’s accounts were revised, and Islington Green in north London – has long Charity accounts show that Ark pays for former chief executive said the revised asked about the allegations of omissions been an advocate of private firms running rent, service charges and general office accounts contained “a number of omissions and inaccuracies, LSSAT declined to schools. overheads on behalf of Ark Schools, before and inaccuracies” that he said were an comment. He told newspaper in 2012 claiming the money back on an “agreed “attempt, for reasons unclear, to maximise Meanwhile, one of Averre-Beeson’s that for-profit firms were more focused on apportionment”. embarrassment to me”. improvement firms, previously named Lilac improving a school than a new head would Accounts show Ark Schools paid The revised accounts included Averre- Sky Schools Ltd, has been rebranded as be, and has said previously it would be £429,000 on rent and service charges in Beeson’s daughter receiving a salary of Henriette le Forestier Schools Ltd. “appropriate” for firms to get performance- 2015, compared with £245,000 in 2014. £63,298, which Schools Week understands is That company has bought the Virgo related bonuses, or fined for failure. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 5 NEWS GREENING GIVES Inquiry follows primary assessment ‘chaos’ GO AHEAD TO 77 FREE SCHOOLS FREDDIE WHITTAKER support is needed for curriculum like science and @FCDWHITTAKER teachers and school leaders modern languages”. to help them to “design Neil Carmichael, the JOHN DICKENS MPs have launched an inquiry into primary and implement effective Conservative MP who @JOHNDICKENSSW assessment to investigate the impact of assessment systems”. chairs the committee, said: recent reforms on teaching and learning. The inquiry, one of three “This summer saw the Seventy-seven free schools have been The education committee inquiry will due to be launched during introduction of arguably the approved by the new education secretary, consider the consequences of a year in the party conference season, biggest reforms in primary Justine Greening. which the government was forced to has been welcomed by Russell assessment since external The new schools will provide more than scrap baseline tests for infants and was Hobby, the general secretary assessment was introduced 25 45,000 places and join the 31 free schools embarrassed by a security breach that led to of the National Association years ago. Neil Carmichael announced by David Cameron as his last act as the cancellation of the key stage 1 spelling, of Head Teachers, who called “In this inquiry we want to prime minister. punctuation and grammar test. for a review of primary look at the impact of the new More than a quarter of the 77 will be opened It also comes after just 53 per cent of assessment in the wake of the blunders. national curriculum assessment and how by the REAch2 academy trust, which has year 6 pupils met the government’s new Hobby said he was pleased the committee the current system affects teaching and been given permission to open a further 21 expected standard in their key stage 2 SATs, had recognised that the “chaos and learning.” primary schools. which former education secretary Nicky confusion surrounding assessment cannot Carmichael said news of test boycotts Schools Week revealed the trust’s expansion Morgan claimed was a “good start”, but the continue. in certain parts of the country, plus data schools community rebuffed. “The poorly designed tests and last- showing that almost half of pupils in plans in May. At the time two-thirds of its As part of the inquiry, MPs will examine minute changes we have seen this year do England failed to meet new standards in schools were still to be inspected by Ofsted. the advantages and disadvantages not add value to teaching. reading, writing and maths, pointed to The Harris Federation has also been given of assessing “A complete review of primary assessment “unresolved issues in the way we prepare permission to open three new secondaries and pupils at is needed to develop a system that works for our children for secondary school and help a primary school. primary school pupils, parents, teachers and school leaders, them to reach their potential. One of the schools, in Sutton, south London, and the next rather than one that just ticks boxes for “As a committee we will want to examine will specialise in science and have a link to the steps needed bureaucrats and politicians.” how children are assessed, how well the London Cancer Hub, a leading science campus. to improve the Hobby is also leading an independent SATs are being delivered, and what steps Other new schools include the Saracens high system. assessment review group into the primary the government should take in the future to school, in Barnet, north London, backed by a They will ask tests that will report at the end of the year. make sure our education system delivers for partnership between rugby club Saracens and if more A spokesperson for the education all children.” the Ofsted-outstanding Ashmole academy. training committee said the MPs’ inquiry was likely The committee has called for written and to examine whether SATs focused too evidence, which can be submitted online The Cumbria Academy for Autism – a new heavily on English and maths “leading until October 28. Public evidence sessions special school proposed by local parents – will

Russell Hobby to schools neglecting other areas of the will begin in November. have a “strong focus on the development of life and vocational skills alongside academic learning and will help to ensure more local DfE admits to alternative provision failures children with autism get the specialist help and support they deserve”. London has the largest number of approvals FREDDIE WHITTAKER in some cases the units were a “back door (24), creating more than 19,000 new places in @FCDWHITTAKER to an exclusion”, adding: “We are finding the capital. some students, especially those doing their Fifteen schools have been approved for the The government “needs to do better” for GCSEs, are just left there. east of England, delivering more than 9,000 pupils in alternative provision, says a “The theoretical six-week period where senior civil servant following claims that they’re reviewed to see if they can be places. will open in the south west, and teens have been left in “grotty” institutions integrated back into mainstream education seven in both the south east and north west. with an “ad-hoc” approach to safeguarding. is completely ignored,” she said. Greening also confirmed that 56 new free Harriet Becher, the deputy director of the Raithatha was backed by Richard schools opened this month.

Department for Education’s disadvantage Watts, chair of the Local Government Mital Raithatha Richard Watts “Our country needs more good school places division, said outcomes for children Association’s children and young people for children. This next wave of free schools attending pupil referral units were “not board, who said some schools were using Sheena MacDonald, from the means more options for parents so they can good enough”, after complaints at a alternative provision to “remove children inspectorate, told Friday’s event that some choose a place that really works for their Westminster Education Forum in central from the denominator of a school’s GCSE provision she had visited had been “pretty child’s talents and needs,” she said. London last Friday about the quality of league table performance”. grotty” and admitted there was “a bit of More than three-quarters of mainstream provision. His comments are supported by ad-hockery” around important issues such free schools are now in areas with a shortage But she also sought to play down a rise Education Datalab research that suggests as safeguarding. of school places, with almost half in the most in the rate of school exclusions, despite that some schools might boost results by Becher admitted that just 1 per cent of the number of permanent and fixed-term removing more challenging pupils before pupils in AP came away with five GCSEs deprived communities. exclusions increasing for the third year these exams. including English and maths, compared However, the first of this year’s delays has running. She said the rise was “not The government is hoping new rules with almost 60 per cent of all children. That also been revealed. necessarily a bad thing”. from the Education for All white rate was “not good enough. We need to be The Bournemouth Daily Echo has reported Pupil referral units (PRUs) paper, requiring schools to retain doing better.” that Livingstone academy, backed by Games provide education to pupils responsibility for pupils enrolled at Government statistics show that the Workshop co-founder Ian Livingstone, will not excluded from mainstream PRUs, will address the problems. If number of fixed-term exclusions rose 12.5 open in September next year as expected. schools, whether permanently implemented, the grades of excluded per cent between 2013-14 and 2014-15, Steve Kenning, chief of the Aspirations or for a fixed term, but pupils will count in performance while the number of permanent exclusions academies trust that is overseeing the school, campaigners say that some figures. rose 17 per cent in the same period. told the newspaper that the council and schools use them to boost Ofsted has also voiced concerns “I don’t think we think that’s necessarily Department for Education needed more time league tables. about alternative provision (AP), a bad thing,” Becher said. “If exclusions are to find a suitable site. Mital Raithatha, an education after a three-year survey found being made, we’re trusting headteachers and community care solicitor schools were often switching to make the right decision for their pupils The school is now due to open in September at Just for Kids Law, told the from poor quality provision to and there is a process in place to ensure 2018. Westminster event that Harriet Becher in-house interventions. exclusions are reasonable and fair.” 6 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 NEWS CALL FOR NEW £70m careers company insists it has ‘achieved a lot’ BODY TO BROKER

ACADEMIES FREDDIE WHITTAKER what’s there already. What we need is to get @FCDWHITTAKER FREDDIE WHITTAKER Exclusive independent, impartial careers advice back @FCDWHITTAKER into communities. The Careers and Enterprise Company will “I would really, really like to see this Academy brokering should be taken away do more to support and train teachers, its funding making a difference at grassroots from the government and placed with a new chief executive has said after criticism of the level.” independent schools regulator to thwart organisation’s use of public money. Harris denied the research was old news, cronyism, says a leading think tank. Claudia Harris has denied that the CEC, claiming it had looked further into the In a new report Academy Chains Unlocked, which now has 25 full-time staff and 13 “science of how people make decisions”. Reform has called for the national and contractors, is turning into a quango, and She said one of the key findings was that regional schools commissioners and parts of insists it has “achieved a lot” in its first year. the “huge amount of data” provided to young the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to form Announced by former education secretary people about careers made it “rational for a new body that could then merge with the Nicky Morgan in late 2014, the company them to turn off”. has been in operation since June last year, Harris agreed the CEC needed to do more schools wing of Ofsted. employing 75 regional “enterprise with teachers, and said it was “in the early Reform’s research found that both the co-ordinators” to work with schools on stages of exploring” what it could do to help EFA and commissioners had “considerable careers guidance. classroom staff and how its existing work power” in deciding which trusts should take It has also launched a mentoring could be “mapped into the curriculum”. on academies, but that some chain bosses programme and activities with business But she said its focus had to be wider than reported being more “in the loop” than others. volunteers in careers’ “cold spots” across just schools. The government has previously faced England. “The problem here is a system failure, and criticism over close links between its officials But Gerard Liston, an enterprise and the new insight is that you can’t solve this and certain academy chains, as well as claims employability consultant, told Schools in schools alone, because the research is so that pressure was applied on some trusts to Week he had “real concerns” about a “lack Moments of Choice, a key research piece clear that one of the key levers is helping kids expand too quickly, leading to financial and of progress and lack of sustainability” at the for the organisation, found a variation in the to go to see things outside schools.” performance issues. CEC, and said its funding – £70 million over understanding of study and career options She added that the Gatsby Foundation Amy Finch, Reform’s head of education, told this parliament – would be better spent on among young people, but was based on was running a pilot in which it trained Schools Week that making the commissioners training teachers to deliver careers guidance interviews with just 35 young people. teachers in its “benchmarks for good careers independent of government would avoid the in classrooms. Deirdre Hughes (pictured), former chair of guidance” and tested their knowledge potential for conflicts of interest. Similar “There is a real limit to what can be the National Careers Council, said the report against that of the CEC’s enterprise changes had been made in the NHS. achieved in a school through one day a repeated findings already well-known in the coordinators. “There is nothing in the current school month with a volunteer from business,” he sector. Teach First was also working in 15 schools commissioning framework that prevents said, adding that he was disappointed with “It’s great that they want to be known as an to train middle leaders on the Gatsby unwarranted favouritism of some academy the “lack of results and the superficial nature” evidence-based organisation,” she said. “But benchmarks, and would be extending the chains over others,” she said. “We know that of projects from CEC so far. we don’t need to have a quango producing pilot into 45 schools next year, she said. this was an issue under the coalition, when chains already known to be struggling were asked to take on more schools.” BRING BACK THE CLASSICS TO ‘TRANSFORM EDUCATION’ Reform’s report acknowledges recent efforts to make the schools commissioners FREDDIE WHITTAKER schools through the Classics more transparent, but the organisation @FCDWHITTAKER for All programme or the use of has questioned whether bodies inside the retired Latin teachers. government can ever be truly impartial. Latin and classics should be taught “in every He wants to “start a debate” The report recommends “one, independent primary school” with ancient Greek added at about his proposals in his body responsible for commissioning secondary level, says a leading academic. home county of Derbyshire. academies” and that the responsibility for Professor Dennis Hayes, from the It follows critical comments funding academies be removed from the University of Derby, warns that Latin he made at the Commons commissioners. and classics, like modern languages, are education committee’s purpose If all schools became academies, the becoming “the preserve of public schools”, of education conference last government “should consider merging the new and that the revival of classics in state week. commissioning body with the schools wing schools would “transform education”. “If you go to Derbyshire of Ofsted, so that there is one independent His claims come as the government schools, the kids are basically regulator of all schools”. prepares to force independent schools to not learning anything. Reform’s survey also shows a worrying support state sector teachers to deliver such “There’s these lovely kids in out of touch”. collective view about the minimum number of subjects. As part of its green paper reforms, Shirebrook “I can’t see schools falling over themselves schools needed to make chains efficient. the Department for Education wants to for instance. They’re great kids, but they’re to take up the offer in the working-class Finch said: “Our research is the first to make independent schools do more to not being taught anything. They would areas. We have high-flyers like other areas, examine views on how large academy chains justify their charitable status, which gives love Latin.” but Latin doesn’t make futures.” need to be before they can reduce unit costs, them tax breaks. Hayes said the teachers in his teacher Mary Beard, the University of Cambridge such as energy and back-office functions. In its consultation document, the training session would “hate” the idea of classical scholar, told Schools Week there “Chain chief executives believe it is [on department highlights as an example a move to teach classics in all schools, was “no magic bullet”, and that the education average] about 5,000 pupils, or 10 schools.” of good practice the work of the York because they “think the only thing you need community needed to be “careful about Independent-State School Partnership, is Google. They confuse information with putting all eggs in one basket”. About 10 per cent of trusts have this number which provides Latin GCSEs to maintained knowledge”. “There are all kinds of subjects that raise of schools. school pupils and night training for But Marian Stockdale, a Labour politician children’s aspirations. That said, Latin, A government spokesperson claimed teachers. who represents Shirebrook on Derbyshire Greek and classical civilisation can be an all academies were subject to a “strict But Hayes urged state schools themselves County Council, said Hayes was “out of eye-opener. and transparent system of oversight and to offer a classical education. touch” with schools in the area. Results for “They offer all kinds of new ways of accountability” through the commissioners. “As a minimum Latin and classics should the county were good “on the whole”. understanding the modern world as well as “We are confident this system ensures be taught in every primary school and “Latin would more than likely be the last the ancient, and they are a wonderful way of decisions taken are in the best interest of continued into secondary school with the thing many will want to take up,” she said, exploring foundational literature and ideas, schools and their pupils.” addition of ancient Greek,” he said, adding calling the proposals in the green paper without having to ask the way to the train Expert view: Amy Finch, page 15 that the subjects could be offered by state “outdated, antiquated and completely station in them.” MSUK_SW_OfficeAd_0916_03.indd 1 14/09/2016 09:29 8 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 FIRST TO THE FINISHING LINE

BILLY CAMDEN medallists reveals that 82 per cent were “Perhaps most important of all is the time beneficial”, but he warned the balance @BILLYCAMDEN educated at state or special schools and just independent schools are able to put into between the numbers of independent school Investigates over 10 per cent at independent schools. coaching and competition [compared with pupils winning Olympic medals compared ndependent schools disproportionately The other 7 per cent were from unknown or state schools]. All this means standards are with state schools would “not happen represent Great Britain at elite level overseas schools. elevated to very high levels.” overnight. Isport, but an analysis of this year’s Ralph Lucas, editor of the guide, said it Past figures from the ISC show that private “For the independent sector to do what it Olympic and Paralympic medal tables was a shame that the Olympic medal tables schools have almost as many swimming does requires a lot of very different factors shows that state schools are starting to “did not reflect the proportions of state and pools between them as the state school, to work together. If independent and state close the gap. independent educated people in the wider higher education and further education schools work together in the coming years Just under 70 per cent of Team GB’s population”. sectors combined. it won’t automatically and immediately medal-winning athletes at the Olympics He said the education distribution in the Proposals in the government’s green change that balance, it might make a bit were educated at state-maintained schools Paralympics “appears to be much more paper, Schools That Work for Everyone, also of a difference but not a massive one with a handful of athletes, including representative of the country as whole”, suggest that private schools could soon be quickly.” diver Tom Daley, given scholarships to but added that it was hard to draw “firm pushed into sponsoring schools to haul up independent schools. conclusions” as to why, with the relevance of standards in the state sector. According to Sutton Trust figures, 36 the type of school attended by Paralympians If the plans go ahead, private schools will per cent of British medal winners at the who became disabled later in life being be incentivised to spread their “expertise 2012 London Olympics attended a private “questionable”. through the system”. school, compared with 7 per cent of the Julie Robinson, general secretary of the John Claughton, retired chief master of population. Independent Schools Council (ISC), put the King Edward’s school in Birmingham, said That proportion has decreased over the “unusually high” proportion of independent independent schools already shared sporting past four years as our analysis shows that school Olympic medallists down to the facilities and coaching with the state sector. 32 per cent of medal-winning athletes at sector’s “broad range of sports and activities He said the government’s proposals Rio were educated at independent schools. offered, good facilities, elite coaching and for more collaboration “will obviously be Meanwhile, analysis by The Good full fixture lists playing against the best Schools Guide of Team GB’s Paralympic school teams.

PARALYMPICS GOLD

ATHLETE SPORT MEDAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TYPE Aaron Moores Swimming Gold Rowdeford School, Wiltshere State Adam Duggleby -pilot Cycling Gold Howden School State Aled Davies Athletics Gold Ysgol Llanhari, Rhondda State Andy Lewis Paratriathlon Gold Unknown Anne Dickens Paracanoe Gold Unknown Anne Dunham Equestrian Gold Unknown Bethany Firth Swimming Gold SERC Bangor, Longstone School, NI State Chris Clarke - guide Athletics Gold Denbigh School, Milton Keynes State Corrine Hall - pilot Cycling Gold Raynes Park High School State Daniel Brown Gold Little Heath School, Reading State David Smith Boccia Gold Cedar School, Southampton State Eleanor Simmonds Swimming Gold Aldridge School, Walsall State Ellie Robinson Swimming Gold Northampton High School Inde Emma Wiggs Paracanoe Gold Watford Grammar School for Girls State Georgina Hermitage Athletics Gold George Abbot School, Guildford State Gordon Reid Wheelchair tennis Gold Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh State Grace Clough Rowing Gold High Storrs School, Sheffield State Hannah Cockroft Athletics Gold Holy Trinity Senior School, Crawley State Hannah Russell Swimming Gold Mount Kelly, Inde Helen Scott -pilot Cycling Gold Earls High School, Halesowen State Hollie Arnold Athletics Gold College Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly State James Fox Rowing Gold Jack Hunt School, Peterborough State Jeanette Chippington Paracanoe Gold Unknown Jessica Stretton Archery Gold Longdean School, Hempstead State Jo Frith Archery Gold Bridgwater College State Joanna Butterfield Athletics Gold Adwick School, Doncaster State Jody Cundy Cycling Gold Marshland High School, Norfolk State Paralympic cyclists Jon-Allen Butterworth, Jody Cundy, and John Walker Archery Gold Monk’s Walk School, Hertfordshire State Louis Rolfe (Photo/Casey B. Gibson) Jon-Allan Butterworth Cycling Gold The Streetly Academy, Birmingham State Jonnie Peacock Athletics Gold St Ivo School, Cambridge State Kadeena Cox Cycling Gold Wetherby High School State Karen Darke Cycling Gold Calder High School, Yorkshire State Lauren Rowles Rowing Gold North Bromsgrove High School State Laurence Whiteley Rowing Gold Hurworth House School, Darlington Inde Lee Pearson Equestrian Gold Westwood High, Leek State Libby Clegg Athletics Gold Royal Blind School, Edinburgh State Lora Turnham Cycling Gold Gateacre Comprehensive School, Liverpool State Louis Rolfe Cycling Gold Parkside Community College, Cambridge State Matthew Wylie Swimming Gold Biddick Academy, Sunderland State Megan Giglia Cycling Gold Unknown Michael Jones Swimming Gold Mount Kelly, Devon Inde Natasha Baker Equestrian Gold Bishop Ramsey School, Ruislip State Oliver Hynd Swimming Gold Ashfield School, Nottingham State Jade Jones (right) in action Oliver James (cox) Rowing Gold The Nobel School, Hertfordshire State against Sweden’s Nikita Pam Relph Rowing Gold Welbeck Defence Sixth Form, Loughborough Inde Glasnovic during the women’s Paul Blake Athletics Gold The Blandford School State 57kg Olympic taekwondo Rachel Morris Rowing Gold Weydon School, Surrey State semi-final Richard Whitehead Athletics Gold Dayncourt School, Nottingham State (Photo/Owen Humphreys) Rob Davies Table tennis Gold Brecon High School State Sarah Storey Cycling Gold Poynton High School, Cheshire State Sascha Kindred Swimming Gold Mossley Hollins High School, Manchester State Sophie Christiansen Equestrian Gold Charters School, Berkshire State Sophie Hahn Athletics Gold Our Lady’s Convent School, Loughborough Inde Sophie Thornhill Cycling Gold Poynton High School, Cheshire State Sophie Wells Equestrian Gold Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, Lincolnshire State Stephanie Millward Swimming Gold The Corsham School, Wiltshire State Stephen Bate Cycling Gold Unknown Susie Rodgers Swimming Gold King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham Inde Will Bayley Table tennis Gold Beacon Community College, Crowborough State SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 9 FIRST TO THE FINISHING LINE PA/WIRE

Adam Peaty leaves the pool after breaking the world record in a heat of the men’s 100m Olympic breaststroke (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

PARALYMPICS OLYMPICS

TYPE OF SCHOOL MEDALS WON TYPE OF SCHOOL MEDALS WON

STATE 103 STATE 86

INDEPENDENT 13 INDEPENDENT 40 Hannah Cockroft wins the women’s 400m T34 final at the Paralympics OTHER** 9 OTHER** 3 (Photo/Adam Davy) TOTAL 125 TOTAL 129

**INCLUDES SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE UK **INCLUDES SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE UK PA/WIRE OLYMPICS GOLD

ATHLETE SPORT MEDAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TYPE Adam Peaty Swimming Gold Painsley Catholic College, Derby College State Hockey Gold Farnborough Hill Inde Rowing Gold Bredon Hill Sch, Prince Henry High School State Alistair Brownlee Triathlon Gold Bradford Grammar School Inde Andrew Triggs-Hodge Rowing Gold Upper Wharfedale School, N Yorks State Andy Murray Tennis Gold Dunblane High, Sánchez-Casal*, ESP Inde Bradley Wiggins Cycling Gold St Augustine’s School, Kilburn State Callum Skinner Cycling Gold James Gillespie’s High School, Edinburgh State Charlotte Dujardin Equestrian Gold Vandyke Upper School , Beds State Chris Mears Diving Gold Willink school, Reading State Constantine Louloudis Rowing Gold Eton College Inde Hockey Gold Oakham School Inde Ed Clancy Cycling Gold Shelley College State Elinor Barker Cycling Gold Llanishen High School, Cardiff State Rowing Gold Winchester College Inde Hockey Gold Repton Inde Giles Scott Sailing Gold Sharnbrook School, Beds State Hockey Gold Kingsbridge Community College, Devon State Hockey Gold Hitchingbrooke School, Cambs State PA/WIRE Hannah Mills Sailing Gold Howell’s School GDST, Cardiff Inde Heather Stanning Rowing Gold Inde Rowing Gold Millfield School Inde Helen Richardson-Walsh Hockey Gold West Bridgford School, Notts State Hockey Gold The Ecclesbourne School, Derbyshire State Jack Laugher Diving Gold Ripon Grammar State Jade Jones Taekwondo Gold Flint High School State Paralympic cyclists Jon-Allen Butterworth, Jody Cundy, and Jason Kenny Cycling Gold Mount St Joseph School, Farnworth State Louis Rolfe (Photo/Casey B. Gibson) Joanna Rowsell-Shand Cycling Gold Nonsuch High School, Surrey State Joe Clarke Canoeing Gold Alleyne’s High School, Staffs State Justin Rose Golf Gold Robert May’s School, Hants State Kate Richardson-Walsh Hockey Gold Priestnall Secondary School, Stockport State Katie Archibald Cycling Gold Academy Inde Laura Trott Cycling Gold Turnford School, Herts State Hockey Gold Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls State Liam Heath Canoeing Gold George Abbot School, Guildford State Hockey Gold Clifton College Inde Hockey Gold Kings College, Taunton Inde Matt Gotrel Rowing Gold Chipping Campden Sch State Matt Langridge Rowing Gold Hartford High School, Cheshire State Max Whitlock Gymnastics Gold Longdean School, Herts State Mo Farah Athletics Gold Isleworth & Syon School State Mohamed Sbihi Rowing Gold Hollyfield, Surbiton State Nick Skelton Equestrian Gold Bablake School, Coventry Inde Nicola Adams Boxing Gold Agnes Stewart CE, Leeds State Hockey Gold Hulme Grammar, Oldham Inde Owain Doull Cycling Gold Glantaf Welsh Comprehensive School State Paul Bennett Rowing Gold Roundhay School, Leeds State Rowing Gold Cirencester Deer Park School State Phelan Hill Rowing Gold Bedford School Inde Philip Hindes Cycling Gold Heinrich Heine Gymnasium, GER State Hockey Gold Birkinghead High School for Girls Inde Saskia Clark Sailing Gold Colchester County High School for Girls State Scott Durant Rowing Gold Lancaster Royal Grammar State Shona McCallin Hockey Gold Repton Inde Hockey Gold Tiffin Girls’ School State Steven Burke Cycling Gold Park High School, Colne State Hockey Gold Sutton Valence Inde Tom Ransley Rowing Gold King’s Canterbury Inde

PA/WIRE William Satch Rowing Gold Shiplake Inde 10 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 NEWS

Education Committee Live EDITOR’S COMMENT @miss_mcinerney | [email protected] School are not mini-immigration offices – and never should be

Schools should not make parents uncertainty, schools jump in and from schools and instead put them or vice versa? show their children’s passports. For heavy-handedly ask parents to hand into unregistered institutions. Pupils This is not to say we should worry, anything. over passports so they can give in these school are at a higher risk of unthinkingly, about the collection of That’s a really simple rule. It’s also information to the government, there radicalisation and sexual exploitation, data. More information about children a rule the Department for Education is a genuine risk that parents will as Ofsted’s recent investigations have could be a help. For instance, it would won’t write that clearly. I don’t know withdraw their children altogether and found. be useful to have much finer detail why. But it should. children not getting an education is Document-checking is also about the languages children speak at So let us be clear. Schools have no never a good outcome. stigmatising – treating one group of home. right to make parents show a passport. Luckily, the Department for children as “other” for no good reason. We previously reported how Schools do not need to see a child’s Education has confirmed, clearly, that Imagine being a parent receiving the achievement data for ethnic groups passport to admit them. Parents passport checks are not a requirement sort of email highlighted in our cover often mask huge variations. For absolutely can refuse to show their for schools and headteachers should, story, in which you are told that if example, pupils identified as black child’s passport and still receive a free as the leader of the Association of you are white you are presumed to African Igbo speakers achieve highly education for them. School and College Leaders says, cease have been born in Britain, but if your in their GCSEs compared with the Schools must now ask parents this practice and apologise if they have skin is black then you must write in national average, whereas Portugese- for their child’s country of birth inadvertently told parents that they and explain yourself. Does that sound speaking children of black African and nationality, but there is no must hand over their papers. welcoming to your child? Would you heritage have a GCSE pass rate only requirement that parents give it, nor But with an impending clampdown feel confident that your child was half the national average. that schools pass the information to on immigration, it isn’t beyond the going to be treated equally? It therefore makes sense for schools the government. If parents refuse to realms of possibility that a Home Office If schools are ever compelled to to ask for information about a child’s tell you, just leave the box empty. minister has the bright idea of using check passports and birth certificates, nationality and birthplace. But We live in unusual times as far as school administration checks to find and then forced to send this this needs to be done in a national identity goes. For the first undocumented persons. information to the government, kind, informed, considered time in generations we are actively The school community needs to be it would drive a wedge between and, ultimately, optional retrenching our open borders and ready to point out that any such moves its leaders and the communities manner. there is a sense that immigrants are would not be a good idea. They would they serve. After all, whose side Schools are not mini- less welcome than in the past. be a very bad one. are headteachers on? Should immigration offices and (We don’t need to kid ourselves that Document checks on entry to school they put the educational benefit everyone should be alert England has been overly welcoming are likely to lead to vulnerable groups, of a child attending school to ensure they are in the past, but things certainly seem wary of government administration ahead of the government’s not pushed to worse right now.) and fearful of their place in the desire to clamp down on become so. If among this growing sense of country, to keep their children away over-staying immigrants – SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 11

READERS’ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU @SCHOOLSWEEK [email protected] email tweet WEBSITE REPLY WWW.SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK Dan Moynihan profile Minority ethnic students are baffled by British values Dan Moynihan profile Christine Bayliss, Sussex @eleonorasfalcon reply of the week A very inspiring profile of Dan Moynihan I suspect most white British children would at Harris Federation last week. Your photographer be baffled by that question too Mark Watson, address supplied picks up exactly that “hair stands up on your neck” Although I support the academies programme feeling when you go into a really good school and @Gwenelope (and that certainly doesn’t mean the same thing as see teachers literally change kids’ life chances in As are the teachers… supporting all academy trusts), I’ve never quite been able to front of your very eyes. His point about the idea swallow Dan Moynihan’s salary. In fact, on several threads on of new grammar schools seriously undermining @victully your website, I’ve railed against it. good comprehensives is probably the most This is why I love teaching young people! However this article was genuinely inspiring. Step away important argument he makes here – keep They have #nailed this issue. ‘They want to from the salary and you see someone, and an organisation, repeating it! be engaged.’ Yessss! not prepared to accept anything less than the best for the children that come to their schools. They actually put Faith schools welcome 100 per cent @ded6ajd children and what they get out of their school life above faith-based admissions Post Brexit, some may wonder whether everything else and the results prove it. What they have done there’s a hint of oxymoron in some with their schools is extraordinary and an example to all AssemblyTube, address supplied versions of ‘British Values’. @SchoolsWeek other trusts and local authorities of what you can do if you @OpenUniversity really put the education of children front and centre. Faith, noun: a strong belief in the And if the “central charge” (or top slice) is less than they doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual Rebrokered academies to be given three-year were paying to the local authority, then yes, does it matter conviction rather than proof. There is a current Ofsted grace period what anyone gets paid. Teaching is so important that the best desire for education practice to be based on people should do it, and be paid accordingly. I’m a parent and evidence. Why is it acceptable for state schools @teresamaryclark I want my child taught by someone with a first in maths who to promote indoctrination of young minds based @SchoolsWeek Were we not told children could just as easily get a high-paying job with NASA. I want on spiritual conviction? Look to the Middle East should not have to spend a single day in a the great teachers in and the poor teachers out. for exemplars of the results of such indoctrination. “failing” school? Three years is an awful lot Still not completely sold on the £400k pa, but I’m a lot closer We are surely moving in the wrong direction of single days. than I was! with this policy.

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LAURA MCINERNEY @MISS_MCINERNEY

Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL and TUC president

ary Bousted is sitting in her central London office near Trafalgar Square and quibbling with Mmy first question. “It’s funny you say I’m strident, because that’s not how I feel. “It’s simply that it has always been apparent to me that the direction of travel set in train by Michael Gove would come unravelled. And it is unravelling quickly. “You can see it in the Department for Education’s own analysis of multi-academy trusts,” she says. “Fifty-four per cent are seriously underperforming. You can see it in the impending crisis over school places. You can see it in the 11 per cent of the profession leaving before retirement. “All these things were predicted, and predictable. I feel like I’m a bit of a Jeremiah really, because for a long time I have been predicting things would come a cropper and now they are.” She takes a deep breath. The nearby press officer steadies herself. She continues. “The government has this belief that the market will provide. Right from the beginning of that bold experiment I said the market would not provide for half a million teachers – which is what’s needed – and it won’t provide for school places at a time of a rapidly growing population. There are 18 per cent more primary pupils over the next few years, who will feed into secondary. The market won’t provide places if you don’t provide a proper career structure and salary for teachers. “And the market certainly won’t provide if you make teacher training routes so confusing that nobody knows how to get into teaching, you make the application process difficult and then you suddenly find that 14 out of 17 subject lines haven’t recruited needed teachers.” She is annoyed too at exam structures, comparable outcomes, primary testing, the abolition of levels, the way the national curriculum was written. Politicians were told these things would be a problem, she says, but ignored the advice. “So yes, I find it very hard not to be strident about those things, if strident is what you call it. What I think I am doing is just telling it how it is. People think I am strident MARY BOUSTED because they don’t like what I’m saying. But whenever I say something, I always back it up. I’ve always got evidence. “So is it that what I am saying is strident, or is it that it’s just unpopular?” that former Ofsted chair David Hoare said this was a key As general secretary of the Association of Teachers and reason for her selection. “The danger is that for Ofsted Lecturers since 2003, she has spent more than a decade there’s an anti-professional, anti-teaching agenda that has watching education secretaries come and go (Greening now been set.” is her seventh), and listening to members telling her how The new education secretary, Justine Greening, appears The union had lost about 10 per cent of members the their workload has spun out of control while their pay and to have got to a soft spot, however. year before her appointment. “I had to work to raise the conditions have been undermined by academies, who no “I have met her twice and it’s clear that she’s a mistress of profile, to get the union really visible again: to teachers, to longer have to follow standardised rules on such things. detail in a way that I never felt Nicky Morgan was,” she says. government, to key stakeholders.” Her complaints are, by and large, fair and backed She seems genuinely optimistic about working with her. Her efforts paid off, with subscriptions increasing from up by evidence. Teacher recruitment figures are not Her verdict on schools minister Nick Gibb is less positive. about 195,000 in 2004 to around 210,000 in 2013, though encouraging. Report after report shows multi-academy Last year, at a panel event hosted by Schools Week, Gibb numbers have dipped again in the past two years. trusts perform little better, on average, than other school accused Bousted of “low expectations” – a moment that led Bousted can whip up emotion but also practical ideas. types. There is indeed an upcoming secondary school to a tongue-lashing from her, and still rankles now. That passion can sometimes come at a price, however. places shortages that will be more difficult to deal with She believes his record in the role is why he retained She confirms that she once had a stand-up row with than the primary crisis. The lack of local co-ordination for it even after May’s reshuffle. “You could look at it and say Michael Gove, (“there was a lot of shouting and finger- resolving the problem is worrisome. Nick Gibb has got an expanded brief as minister for school pointing”), but she also believes fierce opposition led to his But her ire is not reserved for the government. standards, so his stock is rising, or you could look at the retreating on some ideas – for example, on bringing back She believes Ofsted is in a “dangerous place” following appointment in the tradition of Theresa May, who seems O-levels. In the end she believes it was his unpopularity the appointment of Amanda Spielman, the former chair of to like the divine comedy of putting people in charge of with the profession that got him fired. Ofqual, as its new chief inspector. something they have messed up!” “Any minister who thinks they can act with impunity, or “She was rejected by the select committee, and if you The press officer is now scribbling furiously. that they will not be held accountable in the end, is very, look at the charges, she didn’t appear to know enough But this is the sort of comment that has made Bousted very foolish.” about primary education, special educational needs, incredibly popular. In 2003 she saw an advert in The Her passion for education began with her father, head of further education . . .” Guardian for the ATL and decided to “give it a go” though, her primary school, St Osmund’s, in Bolton. Bousted is concerned Spielman has never taught and she says, she didn’t expect an interview. “He was a dedicated teacher, way before his time. He SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 13

Schools Week fringe event, September 2015 IT’S A PERSONAL THING

What’s your favourite book? A Room With a View. Because it’s so light and bright and sparkling and so funny, but also so profoundly human.

If you were invisible for a day what would you do? Go somewhere important and see what’s going on. The DfE’s not big enough . . . I’d like to spend a day shadowing Theresa May. See what it’s like at the centre of politics.

If you could live in any historical period which would you choose? I wouldn’t go anywhere where there weren’t antibiotics and anaesthetics! I’m very happy in the here and now.

What did you eat for breakfast? Plain yoghurt with granola. No, that’s a lie. I had toast and Marmite. I normally have granola, but I didn’t fancy it today.

What would you want to put on a billboard? I would want to put on that Child Poverty Blights Lives. It is a sin and a crime.

Mary Bousted as a child with her father, Edward Bleasdale A dinner party with three people. Who are you going to pick, dead or alive? Jane Austen, because she’d be very witty and would have things to say. JFK because he was such a fantastic leader, and I’m always impressed by film clips. He was also good looking. And Len Vygotsky because he was in Marxist Russia at the beginning of the revolution, came up with the best speech signing system for deaf children ever, as well as a new theory of mathematics . . . and he went head to head against Piaget, against stages of development, and came up with the theory of learning, which is profoundly wonderful today. He also wrote beautifully. MARY BOUSTED “I AM JUST TELLING PEOPLE HOW IT IS”

Curriculum Vitae

Past employment history: 1982-87 English teacher, Bentley Wood high school, Harrow 1988–91 Head of English, senior teacher, devised a new reading scheme so all the children could Whitmore high school, Harrow read and write. There were no excuses for anybody. “When he died, the church had to install a loudspeaker 1991–95 PGCE course Leader for English, University system into the carpark because the church was so packed.” is perhaps the most important trait for dealing with of York But her education motivation is more than that. She was politicians, and it is this same determination that means 1995-97 Director of Initial Teacher Training, not happy at her girls’ grammar school where she failed she will now be president of the Trades Union Congress for University of York maths, twice, and where she felt teachers had favourites. a year – overseeing work across unions. 1997-99 Head of Secondary Education, Edge Hill She determined to do better for her pupils. Before we finish, I ask if there’s anything more she would University She became a head of English, then a teacher trainer, like to add, perhaps about what it is like to be a union eventually heading teacher training schools. She comes leader. Education alive when she talks about pedagogy and classroom “It is the most tremendous privilege to be able to 1971-78 Mt Joseph grammar school, Bolton practice. say what you think without fear,” she says. “There’s no 1978-81 BA English language and literature, “I made sure pupils knew they were not going to be let powerful levers politicians can exert on you, no one can set University of Hull off the hook. They needed to know every hair on their head Ofsted on me. Of course that brings huge responsibility, 1986-88 MA English language and literature in would be counted. They needed to know they could not get but it is also the privilege of being able to say what you under, past, through or around you.” think. How many teachers would like to be able to do that?” education, Institute of Education, London It is the iron will developed in the classroom that 1993-99 DPhil (education), University of York 9 EXCLUSIVE THE HEADTEACHERS’ ROUNDTABLE ALTERNATIVE GREEN PAPER

SCHOOLS THAT ENABLE ALL TO THRIVE AND FLOURISH

JOHN TOMSETT LAURA HEADTEACHERS’ ROUNDTABLE, HEAD OF HUNTINGTON SCHOOL, YORK MCINERNEY EDITOR OF It always comes back to SCHOOLS WEEK

recruitment and retention Politicians need to Two weeks after Theresa May’s next step to raising standards. We then bombshell green paper, the need values-led, collaborative school know about Maltesers Headteachers’ Roundtable today structures that focus upon improving releases its alternative, Schools that We do not the quality of teaching and learning Enable All to Thrive and Flourish. John above all else. llan Leighton, the supermarket guru, tells the story Tomsett introduces our four-page look carp from Underpinning these core policy of his first day working at a factory that made at the policy ideas of a July conference areas is a plea from those of us who AMaltesers. If any of the round chocolates dropped off that have become a blueprint for are doing more with much less money the conveyor belt, his job was to sweep them up. As a smart change. the sidelines for the department to direct funding graduate, he was convinced it would be easy. wisely. This week our ever-shrinking For eight hours he drove himself doolally trying to control don’t imagine there is a single local authority in York announced the sweets as they rolled away from his brush. person working at the Department that external careers adviser time Only after several hours did he finally ask an experienced Ifor Education who wants to create a has been cut to support just five of worker how to do it. worse school system than the one we resonates more loudly than ever: Only our most vulnerable students. We The older man laughed gently, took the broom from have. Far from it. When I have worked great teaching will make our country’s have nearly 500 key stage 4 students. Leighton’s hand, stamped on the chocolates, and handed with the department over the past education system great. It’s that simple. When £41 million is set aside for the him the broom back. “Now try brushing them,” he said. few years, civil servants have been And in the two or so years since then, Shanghai mathematics initiative, and The Malteser story perfectly makes the point that if you exemplary in their commitment to a school-led system has begun to a further £50 million is found to fund want to know how best to do a job, ask the people who do it creating the best education system in emerge from the post-Govian chaos additional grammar school places, you day in and day out. the world. that has the potential to improve the can, perhaps, see why we shake our Enabling All to Thrive and Strive is the culmination I would even say that every educational lot of every child in the collective heads in dismay. of experiences hard-won over many decades by people education secretary has aimed to leave country. We hope we’ve encapsulated in dedicated to the schooling of all children. Children across our school system in a better condition Our latest set of policy proposals, our alternative green paper the best the country, across attainment ranges, across ages, across than when he or she inherited it. captured in our alternative green policy ideas of the 200 attendees at our behaviour boundaries, across family types. These guys know And yes, that very definitely includes paper, Schools that Enable All to Thrive Sheffield conference in July. what they are talking about. Michael Gove. But the thing is: those and Flourish, address the pressing What delights us is the support It is not a white paper based on what will win votes. Or of us in the profession have not always issues for those of us leading schools for our ideas from people such as Dr please a prime minister. Or be acceptable to the stick-in-the- agreed with every policy the chief of and academies, right here, right now. Becky Allen and Professor Rob Coe, mud civil servant on floor three who will only implement Great Smith Street has proposed. The fundamental issue that all of luminaries in evidence-informed policies in line with the latest government diktat on ICT. It is I have always thought that Michael us – school leaders, initial teaching education. It means that these not based on any ridiculous compromise. It is based on the Fullan’s mantra, Listen to the naysayers training providers and the department proposals come doubly endorsed, by job and the children. is decent enough advice. The thing – must address successfully is teacher colleagues working in the classroom These proposals are also not easy. It isn’t a huggy love- is, The Headteachers’ Roundtable recruitment. This fact remains: without every day and by experts whose in white paper in which school leaders say they want no is not comprised of a bunch of enough truly great teachers we have no research means they might just know testing, no accountability, no inspection. naysayers; rather we are a collection of chance of providing the education our what works! What the paper boasts is a better version of testing, a headteachers and principals who want young people deserve and our country Our alternative green paper is tougher one in many ways; a better version of accountability, to help the department improve our so desperately needs. deliberately detailed. The proposals one that is humane but motivating; a better version of using school system. Our three main policy proposals are need more kicking around, for sure. data to inform inspection. We lead a mix of institutions, from inter-connected and all come back, in They have rough edges aplenty. But And yes, some ideas are more radical: student loan small primary schools to increasingly some way, to the teacher recruitment they will, we feel certain, provide forgiveness, compulsory membership for the College of large academy chains. We do not carp and retention issue. A more equitable, policymakers with a blueprint for Teaching, sabbaticals every 10 years. These policies would from the sidelines. We are a profession- less penal accountability system may creating an education system where all be expensive and maybe controversial. But why not at least based, non-party political think tank. well stop us haemorrhaging some of of us – including the disadvantaged, consider them? White papers are there to challenge the All we obsess about is securing what is our best teachers and school leaders. the high-flyers and those with special status quo. best for the learning of all children. A package of effective strategies for needs – can thrive and flourish. In the end, this proposal shows how people doing the In May 2014 we published our recruiting the very best teachers actual hard job of leading schools believe it could be better. education manifesto, A Great and then providing the school John Tomsett is one of the authors of Better the politicians listen now, than spend all their time Education for All, whose strapline environment to retain them is the the Alternative Green Paper running after policies not fit for purpose.

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The Headteachers’ Roundtable is a non-party political group of headteachers operating as a think-tank, exploring policy issues from a range of perspectives. Our goal is to provide a vehicle for people working in the profession to influence national education policymakers so that education policy is centred upon what is best for the learning of all children. The original core members of The Headteachers’ Roundtable met through Twitter in 2012. The think-tank initially consisted of secondary and special school headteachers and formed in response to frustration regarding Government educational policy and the Opposition response to it. The group has now extended to include primary school colleagues. Its origins and subsequent growth are down to the power of social media as a tool for connecting people to try and bring about change where they believe it is needed.

ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE GREEN PAPER Accountability: Policy Proposals

The five principles guiding our work are For National Accountability 1. The pace of educational change should not be affected by party politics; 1. National Reference Assessments 2. Schools must be able to offer all their to monitor standards of attainment pupils the chance to thrive and nationally. These should be flourish; independent of the curriculum of the 3. Educational change should begin by day to ensure comparability over time. identifying the desired outcomes for These assessments provide a means children; to hold to account the whole system. 4. Prioritising high-quality teaching & Ultimately the Secretary of State for learning and the curriculum will Education, who should be responsible lead to world-class assessment and for ensuring the educational standards accountability; are at a consistently high level, would 5. The teaching profession should be be held to account. It would also centrally involved in developing be a means by which the impact of future education policy. different policies may be evaluated in terms of pre-school and school effectiveness. A lot has changed since the Headteachers’ Roundtable first conceived the idea of 2. Standardised National Assessments, writing an Alternative White Paper in April. starting in reception and at four year A new Prime Minister, a new Secretary periods (current Years 4, 8 and 12), of State for Education and a level of externally administered, should be sat uncertainty about which elements of the by a representative and statistically original White Paper, Education Excellence sound sample cohort of approximately Everywhere, if any will be retained and five thousand pupils nationally. implemented following the publication of a Green Paper, Schools that Work for 3. Anonymised standardised national Everyone. assessment data should be available, In writing this paper, our group of within an agreed ethical code, to experienced and diverse headteachers and individuals or organisations for school leaders never sought to respond research and evaluation. By analysing to Education Excellence Everywhere nor the data from a variety of perspectives, Schools that Work for Everyone rather to patterns of learning and development demonstrate there was another way. The can be explored and the findings alternative way proposed is rooted in our inform future policy and practice. collective experience and knowledge of the school system further informed by For Determining School Effectiveness evidence from a range of sources and expert advice. Both the recent white and 4. Introduce an Office for Standards green Papers missed the point; they largely in Education Quality Mark (the the multi-year contextualised value would prevent schools and other addressed political imperatives rather than Ofsted MoT) for schools providing added element until the latter measure organisations wasting time on trying the educational necessities of creating a an effective education to their pupils. became available. to game the measure and allow them school system that enables all to thrive. By The quality mark should be based on to focus on improving the quality of all, we obviously mean the children and schools meeting an agreed multi-year 5. The use of floor targets based on teaching, assessment, learning, care, young people but also the teachers and contextualised value added measure, attainment measures should cease guidance and support offered whilst support staff who are critical to the system secure Safeguarding processes, immediately as they are more a fully recognising the importance of and the quality of education offered. unqualified audited accounts and measure of a school’s intake than the contextual factors The commentary and policy proposals reviewed on an annual basis. By quality of the education provided to below provide for a different approach; one judging a school’s effectiveness on a pupils. To assess the effectiveness 6. A National Quality Regulator in which our children and young people three year contextualised value added of the education offered by a school for Standardised Assessments can thrive and flourish. If this is to happen measure the annual volatility of this a contextualised multi-year value should be appointed to provide a we need to retain and recruit the very best measure at an individual school would added measure should be used. The regulated market for the provision teachers and school leaders. The days of consequentially be dampened. general principles on which the of standardised assessments for political diktat, from on high, followed by contextualisation would be based each year group. Schools would be crushing and multiplying accountability For new schools there would be an should be placed in the public domain responsible for determining which measures have to stop; the damage is expectation that they had standardised but the specific formula, which may year group would sit the standardised becoming too great. assessment data available to replace be evolved over time, would not. This assessments and which provider they THE HEADTEACHERS’ ROUNDTABLE ALTERNATIVE GREEN PAPER

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successful, based on its multi- helps candidates decide on the year contextualised value added training they want (HE/School Direct measure, through correlation type (PGCE) or School based Vocational/ research and report accordingly. Apprenticeships). This pathway could b. Once the measure has been have a set of simple questions that established locally based HMI would shape the information, advice would be responsible for and guidance for each candidate supporting the Regional School suggesting a possible best route. Commissioner in determining Arguably UCAS is best placed to deliver whether primary schools with such a system. consistently low multi-year a. This will require clear and tougher contextualised value added were selection onto Initial Teacher in need of alternative governance Training, with HMI support, arrangements. As part of this to ensure we bring the best process, Ofsted inspectors would candidates into the profession need training and support in the and seek to raise the profession’s analysis and valid conclusions status amongst applicants and they could make, using the the general public. The selection school’s internal standardised process should be robust to assessment data, and whether the ensure the best candidates are school had responded effectively successful. Although a degree to the information available. classification is an indicator, it is not the guarantee of a 8. Key Stage 1 assessments, in their great teacher. The selection current form, should be discontinued methods should also look at the as a means of holding primary characteristics, behaviours and schools accountable both as an attitudes each candidate has and attainment measure and as the basis the potential to be a successful of any value added measure. teacher. b. As the current model requires 9. Introduce a National Baccalaureate candidates to pay for their for primary schools based on core fees, the cap on recruitment learning, a personal project and a onto training routes should be personal development programme. removed. Over-supply of teachers It would aim to help broaden the has the benefit or raising the curriculum and recognise the quality of those who successfully achievements of pupils within a gain employment. broader view of education. c. Where there are shortages in certain subjects, the trainees’ fees 10. Create an Expert Working Group for shortage subjects should be should be established to consult and removed. report, to the Secretary of State, on a d. We need to ensure that the means of determining the quality of Secretary of State is held used. The aim would be for schools to for any conflict of interest, in the education offered by Special Schools, responsible for sufficient have regular data about the progress Teacher Assessment, a sample of Pupil Referral Units and Alternative teachers. This should lead to the their children were making during schools’ assessment outcomes should Education Providers. Its remit should development of the Regional their time at the school. School leaders be externally moderated by a local or be to establish whether there is a valid School Commissioners’ role to and teachers would need training regionally procured moderation team. and reliable means of determining a ensure that regional differences and support in the analysis and valid In addition, a sample of individual Special School’s, Pupil Referral Unit’s are accounted for. If caps on conclusions they could make, using pupils’ assessments should be cross- or Alternative Education Provider’s recruitment to the Initial Teacher the data, in order to identify periods of referenced with other personal data effectiveness that would mean the Training Programme continue relatively weak or good progress and to identify inconsistencies as well as same Ofsted MoT approach could be they should be considered at a respond accordingly. checking the authenticity of data at an taken to all types of schools. regional rather than a national item level. These measures will provide level. 7. A standardised objective teacher- the assurances required about the Recruitment and Retention: led baseline assessment should be reliability of the data on which future Policy Proposals 2. Introduce a Regional Initial Teacher introduced nationally at the start of conclusions will be made. Education Macro-Cluster structure reception. The same assessment must a. Once the measure has been 1. Introduce one centralised entry route to enable regional stakeholders, be used by all schools. The assessment established locally based HMI into the profession including TeachFirst, to work should be conducted by the reception would seek to determine why a Develop a single national pathway together to develop a longer term class teacher. To limit the potential particular primary schools was so into Initial Teacher Training which strategic plan based on rolling three SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK | @SCHOOLSWEEK DOWNLOAD THE FULL ALTERNATIVE GREEN PAPER AT SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK

Roundtable recommendations

year guaranteed funding streams. full-time employment in a state school profession to fully support the College students’ achievements requires This will allow each region to develop: half is paid off and after ten years of Teaching. With the College now substantial and sustained professional a. A co-ordinated sub-regional the loan would be fully paid off. This established membership should be development. In order to improve hub-based ITE/Early Career incentive could be enhanced to fill compulsory for all teachers, with the quality of teaching, increase the development model that includes vacancies in areas or subjects which schools given the freedom to pay attractiveness of the profession to a focus on the areas of greatest struggle to recruit by shortening the fees on teachers’ behalf from school our best graduates and retain more need, providing greater access to length of time required, i.e. after three budgets. It will be the main body to teachers, schools, in partnership ITE and Early Career development years half is paid off and after six years represent the profession, independent with Initial Teacher Education whilst retaining cost efficiencies. the loan would be fully paid off. of government, setting standards providers, will deliver a two-year This should particularly focus on for teachers based upon on-going Induction Programme for all entrants ensuring hard to reach areas have 4. In order to attract great leaders to research into effective practice. We to the teaching profession with a good coverage. areas of greatest need, establish a need to develop a professional culture five-year pathway to a Professional b. Dispersed centres of excellence National Recruitment Fund which where all teachers are continually Qualification with Masters Degree for ITE and PD that will will provide well-targeted funding for refining their teaching skills. The Equivalence and the potential to develop innovative school led, areas of deprivation to attract talented College will be empowered to enforce progress to Doctorate level available. academically robust models of headteachers, English and maths school compliance in delivering This will make teaching the profession teacher development. These could teachers. Applicants to the National teachers’ entitlement to professional of choice because of the quality of include multiple ITE providers Recruitment Team must be able to development. The other key function professional learning. and school partnerships working provide evidence of prior impact on of the College of Teaching will be to together following jointly pupil outcomes over a number of support the growth of great school 7. Introduce 10th Year Funded agreed principles, delivery and years. There should be three to five leaders to meet the pressing demand Sabbaticals. Teachers in their 10th, 20th QA models and maximising year contracts available with security for talented Headteachers. or 30th year – the sabbatical may be of efficiency through shared of tenure for talented leaders who deferred for personal or professional teaching/school support etc. commit themselves to working in 6. Introduce entitlement to a reasons - would be entitled to engage c. New models for expertise sharing schools in the most deprived areas of professional development programme in educational research, deepen that impact on student outcomes, the country, with a guaranteed post leading to QTS for all teachers after subject and subject pedagogical staff development and leadership once they have finished that three- a maximum of two years’ induction knowledge, support the development through secondments, joint year contract. A generous relocation and a Masters-level professional of Initial Teacher trainees, engage appointments, sharing of staff package should be available. qualification after five years. in placements in different school expertise across partnerships, staff All schools should offer a high quality, contexts and or countries or mobility, joint research, etc. 5. Support the College of Teaching research-informed professional undertake a placement in an industrial with compulsory membership for all development programme for all or commercial environment. 3. Provide a National Service Benefit teachers. teachers. There is no shortcut to Alternatively, the sabbatical could be for teachers where loans are paid off Raising the status of the teaching securing great teaching in every used to undertake intensive leadership over time based on length of service, profession in this country to become classroom in this country; improving training linked to the person’s next for example, after five years equivalent the finest in the world requires the the quality of teaching so that it raises stage within her/his career. WHO’S WHO IN THE HEADTEACHERS’ ROUNDTABLE

MEMBERS Jon Chaloner – CEO of GLF Schools Binks Neate-Evans – Headteacher, West Earlham Keziah Featherstone – Headteacher, Bridge Learning Infant and Nursery School, Norwich Campus, Bristol Caroline Barlow – Headteacher, Heathfield Liam Collins – Headteacher, Uplands Community Community College, East Sussex College, Wadhurst, East Sussex

Chris McShane – Founding Member, Independent Rob Campbell – Headteacher, Impington Village STEPHEN TIERNEY JOHN TOMSETT ROS MCMULLEN Consultant and Personal Development Coach College and Executive Principal, Morris Education Dave Whitaker – Executive Principal, Springwell Trust, Cambridge (‘Special’) Community School and Barnsley PRU Rona MacKenzie – Principal, Lincoln UTC Duncan Spalding – Headteacher, Aylsham High Ros McMullen – Founding Member, MD of School, Norfolk RMCeducation Specialising in Leadership Helen Keenan – Headteacher, Brownhills School, Development Walsall Sally Hamson – Headteacher, Wollaston Community VIC GODDARD LIAM COLLINS Helena Marsh – Principal, Linton Village College Primary School, Northamptonshire & Executive Principal, Chilford Hundred Education Stephen Tierney (Chair) – CEO BEBCMAT (Christ the Trust King, St. Cuthbert’s & St. Mary’s Catholic Academies) Jarlath O’Brien – Headteacher, Carwarden House Tom Sherrington – Headteacher, Highbury Grove Community School, Surrey School, Islington, London John Tomsett – Headteacher, Huntington School, Vic Goddard – Principal, Passmores Academy, York Harlow 14 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 OPINION JAMES ALEX KEWIN SUTHERLAND Deputy chief executive, Sixth Form Research leader, RAND Europe Colleges’ Association

Free school meals are still the Sixth-form colleges have been best measure of deprivation overlooked in May’s plans It may not be the clearest way to allocate and secondary pupils. When combined with extra funds to disadvantaged pupils, but it’s the other pupil characteristics, models with the best there is, says Alex Sutherland measures of free school meal eligibility worked The government should consider how sixth-form students who go on to study at best, in practical terms, for explaining variation greater investment in sixth-form colleges higher education institutions than simply very year, the UK government allocates in pupil achievement. While models with could drive up standards, says James Kewin allowing universities to charge higher fees. £2.5 billion to state schools to support parental education and parental occupation disadvantaged pupils via the pupil were marginally better at predicting pupil Cuts to the 16 to 19 education budget have E premium. To figure out how to allocate these achievement, the potential costs of switching ixth-form colleges share the resulted in some sixth-form colleges losing funds, the government uses free school meal to either of these approaches far outweighed government’s ambition to create a third of their funding since 2010. SFCA’s eligibility to measure pupil socioeconomic any slight gains. Switching to either approach an education system that works for funding impact survey highlights the dramatic S disadvantage. The idea is that free school meal would require significant investment to collect everyone, not just the privileged few. But the effect this has had on students. eligibility is linked to lower pupil achievement, data, and collecting data on parents’ education plans unveiled earlier this month to achieve What would the proposal to increase and and the additional funding can help state levels or occupations on a national scale could this are flawed and incomplete. Flawed expand grammar schools mean for schools to narrow the achievement gap be a challenge. because they overplay the importance of sixth-form education? Every grammar between students who receive free school independent schools and universities, and school in England has a sixth form – about meals and those who don’t. incomplete because they overlook the role of 50,000 16 to 19-year-olds are enrolled at a Yet some within the academic community Free school sixth-form education in general, and sixth- grammar school compared with 161,000 in and government recognise the limitations in form colleges in particular. sixth-form colleges. Grammar school sixth using free school meal eligibility as a predictor meal eligibility for pupil achievement. Some have argued forms tend to be larger than non-selective that other measures of family background, fluctuates with schools or academies (an average of 302 such as parental education or neighbourhood students compared with 201), but are much Sixth-form deprivation, would be more predictive — economic cycles smaller than sixth-form colleges that have an and would thus be better indicators of pupil colleges are engines average of 1,716 students. If the government deprivation. allows existing grammars to expand, as well as There are two key limitations to using free Neighbourhood measures were a worse of social mobility new schools to open, the number of selective school meal status. First, free school meal predictor of pupil achievement than free sixth forms is likely to increase. This is not eligibility fluctuates with economic cycles, school meals. However, results did differ, Sixth-form colleges are engines of social good for social mobility – just 3 per cent of since the number of pupils eligible increases with neighbourhood measures a stronger mobility – the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association grammar school students were eligible for during times of economic hardship and predictor of a child’s achievement at primary (SFCA) Manifesto shows that the sector free school meals at 15, compared with 11 per shrinks during boom times. At the same than secondary school. This difference may be outperforms school and academy sixth forms cent in sixth-form colleges. time, research suggests that parents feel because of the much smaller catchment areas stigmatised when registering their children as for primary schools or because the effects of while educating more disadvantaged students The Spens report on secondary education eligible, making them reluctant to do so. This peers are weaker during primary school. and receiving less funding. We believe published in 1938 concluded that there is results in too many or too few pupils being More importantly, neighbourhood measures the government should look beyond the general agreement that much of what is most recognised as disadvantaged, which has a may only serve to exacerbate the educational independent sector and consider how greater valuable in the grammar school tradition direct impact on funding. inequalities that free school meals seek to investment in sixth-form colleges could depends on the existence of a sixth form, The Department for Education reduce, as individual circumstances can vary ensure they, rather than just independent and given that all existing grammar schools commissioned RAND Europe and the widely within the same neighbourhood. schools, can help to drive up standards in have a sixth form, this 80-year-old shibboleth University of Cambridge to measure the Using such measures could mean that schools schools and help young people to progress could continue to influence the government’s effectiveness of free school meals as a whose catchment area includes children from to university. Sixth-form colleges have more thinking. SFCA will assemble the evidence predictor of pupil achievement in England. relatively poor(er) backgrounds in rich(er) experience of students educated in the state to ensure that it does not, and will instead The research considered whether other neighbourhoods receive less funding, while system, and have real expertise in ensuring emphasise the role that sixth-form colleges measures of socioeconomic status did a those with children from relatively rich(er) they are well prepared for higher education: already play in driving up standards and aiding better job of explaining variation in pupil backgrounds in poor(er) neighbourhoods achievement at primary and secondary school. receive more. data from the Higher Education Statistics social mobility, and what more could be done The study also tested household education, Despite (or perhaps because of) the Agency indicates that sixth-form college with greater investment. parental occupation, household income, well-known limitations of using free school students get better degree classifications than All sixth-form providers (colleges, schools, household characteristics such as housing meal eligibility, our research suggests that their independent school peers. academies) are “selective” in the sense that tenure, and neighbourhood measures such it is presently the most practical measure of Universities can, of course, do more to they have entry requirements to ensure that as neighbourhood poverty (measured by the pupil deprivation. Free school meal eligibility engage with schools, but this should be in students are equipped to meet the demands of Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index). performs better and is more feasible to use partnership with other sectors and not in 16 to 19 education in all its diversity. These, with the free school meal measure and than neighbourhood measures. Similarly, return for an increase in fees. Tuition fees But this is very different to selection by a number of other pupil characteristics, were other indicators that are marginally better in of £9,000 per year are twice as much as ability at age 11, something the weight of explored through combining data from the terms of predictiveness would not be cost- the average funding received by 16 to 19 evidence reveals is a barrier to social mobility, Millennium Cohort Study and Longitudinal effective to collect. institutions that typically offer more taught and the expansion of which is unlikely to Study of Young People in England, with hours and greater one-to-one support. Greater help realise the prime minister’s ambition of a publicly available data from the UK census and Alex Sutherland is the lead author of administrative data from the government. “Understanding the Factors Associated with investment in 16 to 19 education is much more country that works not for a privileged few, but Results were remarkably similar for primary Academic Achievement” research project likely to improve the quality and diversity of for every one of us. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 15 OPINION

The government’s determination to find a sponsor could prevent this happening expand selection must be done within again. Rather than waiting for the school the current system – and that includes commissioner’s phone call, chains would need academies, says Amy Finch. But academy AMY to submit short, online bids setting out why chains vary in their effectiveness; Reform’s they want to take on the school and how they new research attempts to find out why could improve it. The idea is that through this FINCH process, the initial matching to sponsor and election in 2016 looks very different from school would be improved. More chains could Head of education, Reform think tank grammars and secondary moderns, put themselves forward. And, a bit like a job STheresa May insinuated last week at application, those who put themselves forward prime minister’s questions. But her green would (mostly!) be serious about the role. paper isn’t going to convince sceptics, as Academies are vital to the chapter on selective schools talks almost exclusively about grammars. There is a big But in one sense May is right. If the May’s reform agenda government expands selection – by ability, black hole in specialism or faith (Reform thinks it shouldn’t) attainment, just as for maintained schools, but potential for conflict of interest. But that is not – then it will need to do it within the current research has failed to establish why. There is a all. We also think the commissioners should terms of rigorous system. That system is one where 40 per cent big black hole in terms of rigorous evidence. be enabled to take a step back in the initial of state-educated children attend academies, Yesterday Reform made a step towards matching of schools to sponsors, and to make evidence more than half of them in academy chains. filling this gap in the first survey of academy the rebrokerage process more transparent and Even 140 of the 163 grammar schools are chains. If we are to understand why chains open. academies, and 21 of these are in a chain of vary in their effectiveness, as the Department When a school is deemed “failing”, either in The report also recommends greater two or more schools. for Education itself has found, then we need to or outside a chain, commissioners currently opportunity for chain-led commissioning The government’s policy on academy know more about what chains do. go to their list of approved academy sponsors which, again, would reduce the burden on schools and chains remains vital to its reform The results are detailed. One of the key to find a chain to take it over. As our report commissioners, allowing them to focus on agenda. Some may have noticed that one of takeaways is that nearly all the chains surveyed reveals, this “rebrokerage” can occur even under-performing schools. Currently, if a the proposed “conditions” of setting up a new want to grow in both the short and long term. before a formal notice from Ofsted, the chain is struggling to turn around a school selective school would be to partner with an Chains are more interested in taking over low- Education Funding Agency or a schools and finds another chain that would be academy chain or sponsor a new academy. performing schools than high-performing commissioner has been issued. This has prepared to take it on, they can approach the The government also wants to encourage ones, but they don’t want schools in financial caused problems in the past, with large regional schools commissioner to ask for a multi-academy trusts to select within their difficulties or in remote locations. chains already known to be struggling asked “swap”. However, this does not happen and trust. If the desire for chains to grow is realised, to take on schools far beyond their reach. chain bosses believe it would bring negative But the government should not go stale then this creates a huge role for the “managers” Schools have then had to be taken away and attention even if the swap was in the best on academies: the policy needs reform. The of the system: the schools commissioners. commissioned again. interest of pupils. Actively encouraging these evidence on academies and chains suggests Reform has recommended that this role be Establishing an online sponsor forum for commissioning activities could lead to a better, there is wide variation in their impact on pupil taken away from the government to avoid the both failing schools and any school wishing to more sustainable academy system.

AWARDS for Nominate your Outstanding Governance governing board or clerk 2017 for a national award AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! Celebrate the unique and inspiring contribution that school governors, trustees and clerks make every single day in schools around the country.

Categories ■ outstanding governing board in a single school ■ outstanding governing board in a multi academy trust or federation ■ outstanding vision and strategy ■ outstanding clerk SPONSORED BY

Awards will be presented by Lord Nash, Under-Secretary of State for Schools

Closing date: 1 December 2016 www.nga.org.uk/awards 16 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 REVIEWS TOP BLOGS OF THE WEEK To view individual blogs visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk/reviews

teacher while being true to yourself and authentic as a person. She reflects on Modernising School Governance: history and the philosophical roots of this professionalism as she prepares to make the Corporate planning and expert in schools. move to senior leadership while, at the same If anyone is still saying that politics handling in state education time, letting her hair down (or changing its should be kept out of education, this book colour) over the summer. She concludes, Author Andrew Wilkins will remind them that “school governance is “like my core values, professionalism for me Publisher Routledge deeply political”, by its very nature. Wilkins is unchanging. The way I present myself, see ISBN-10 1138787477 takes us through the age of managerialism myself, and am seen by others – my identity in all its manifestations, into the most ISBN-13 978-1138787476 – may change. But what I believe, work for, recent decentralisation of individual and the way I work, will not.” Reviewer Nigel Gann, education schools, paralleled by the centralisation of consultant education policymaking under Thatcher. 7 powerful questions for leaders The moves towards purely skills-based @informed_edu governance are a major source of debate Andrew Wilkins’ work has already challenged and concern. There is some conflict On the subject of leadership, David Weston some of the comfortable platitudes of the between the “apolitical” (not that there can Our blog reviewer of the week suggests seven questions that leaders might world of school governing: be such a thing) advocates of is Jill Berry, a former head, now profitably ask their staff, a post I thought drawing attention, for example, “good governance” and educational consultant and could be particularly helpful to anyone to the “democratic deficit” in “disinterested” (not that Twitter addict @jillberry102 embarking on a new leadership role this English schools that is still not there can be such a thing) autumn. recognised by some leading academic observers, often As he says: “Communication is the proponents of governance. participant observers, and life-blood of an organisation”; getting His book is aimed at those critics. Meanwhile, austerity If you know me, you will not be surprised communication right and establishing who want to understand the and corporatisation are when I say that I am a believer in the most positive, mutually respectful history, political significance the two key motifs in the accentuating the positive. I hope I’m not a relationships are essential foundations on and possible futures of school background to governance. blithely naive, overly-optimistic Pollyanna, which to begin to build. governing in an education While governors struggle but teaching and school leadership are system dominated by a with the latest tweaks tough, so I use Twitter and blogs to lift me The benefit of experience neoliberal view of leadership as in school performance rather than to make me feel even more @chrishildrew management and compliance, indicators, the most ground down. All the blogs in this week’s rather than a values-based important issues facing them selection had a positive impact. Chris Hildrew’s reflections on his first year process about priorities and preferences. are probably child poverty and of headship have been fascinating. Here Unlike governors of other organisations, the future of their school as an autonomous Don’t tell me there’s no joy he considers the importance of experience school governors, including academy institution. @ragazza_inglese and the danger of “schools undervaluing trustees/directors, have little input into Is the pendulum beginning to shift back? experienced staff and the ‘cult of youth’ the key priorities of schools. What makes a Certainly, charter schools in the US are Summer Turner’s post from the last part that sees some schools placing too much school “good” is determined by the current under attack for their costs, their culture, of the summer term and exam season is a emphasis on new career entrants with ‘fresh secretary of state and chief inspector, not by and their lack of public accountability. beautifully written and compelling account ideas’ and ‘energy.’” the people who lead them. Wilkins traces the Already some of the key elements there of of the joy to be found in teaching, despite We must ensure we value and make process by which this came about. neoliberalism are beginning to unravel. those parts of the job that make it tough. the most of the experience of those who It is, in places, not an easy read. That Perhaps private firms are not the best Yes, “schools are in the business of dealing have dedicated significant time to honing is, it is uncomfortable to those of us who organisations to run the US prison service? with human lives, which are complex and their craft. Hildrew also considers the have advocated lay governance in state- Maybe, here, railways would be more sometimes impossibly difficult” but still, “our ways in which we can prepare and ensure funded schools and worked to make it efficient in their old nationalised format? schools, our teachers, our children are full of we continue to develop personally and more effective. But neither is much of it This book charts the “momentous shift joy. Just watch us twirl”. professionally but, ultimately, “the fact is, easy to grasp, unless you have at least a in power from politicians and bureaucrats you only really get better at doing this nodding acquaintance with the thinking to company directors, senior school leaders On becoming a teacher job – teaching, or headteaching – by of Michel Foucault, the French philosopher and governors, and an expanded role for @huntingenglish actually doing it.” and historian of ideas. If you struggle with business involvement, expert handling concepts such as “disintermediation”, and corporate planning in the running Alex Quigley’s post also focuses on the Not all screen time is equal “transcendental continuities”, and of schools”. Surely we do need a national rewards of teaching, while fully recognising @josepicardo “genealogical enquiry”, then some debate about governance. Maybe, “we need the demands and frustrations. I used her substantial passages will pass you by. But to create new definitions and practices and Summer’s posts with on-the-job trainee Finally, following a fascinating Twitter don’t let this put you off, because there are of what it means to be a governor and teachers this August to illustrate something debate this summer about screen time crucial issues here for what we want from an engaged citizen”. Let’s do it, please, that I think is vital for those embarking on and whether it is acceptable to talk about our schools that are not being addressed by or politicians and business leaders will their careers. As Quigley neatly puts it, “I “addiction”, “dependency” or “detoxing” our politicians, our school leaders, or those continue to do it for us. This book is a good don’t believe in revelations and it is too about our use of technology, Jose Picardo organisations that advocate for governors and important start. easy to romanticise teaching, but sometimes wrote this brilliant piece about how not all and parents. it catches your heart and it leaves an screen time is equal. “Maybe technology In a neoliberal state “modernised” indelible impression.” is not the problem. Maybe it’s just down to governance, according to Dr Wilkins, is human behaviour”, he says – and that using the only way of managing performance- Next week Identity, professionalism and me medical terms to refer to appropriate or centred schools. New public management @HeadofEnglish inappropriate behaviour may not be helpful. involves the aggressive sidelining of Big Ideas in Education You may agree with his stance, or you may stakeholder governance in favour of the By Russell Grigg Caroline Spalding picks up the idea of disagree, but I guarantee that this post will centralised setting of values, curriculum and Reviewed by Michael Slavinsky developing a professional identity as a make you think. performance measures. Wilkins traces the SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 17

Colin Richards on Matthew Arnold inevitably gives a mechanical turn to the THE PAST WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER school teaching and a mechanical immer-framed educationist that turn to the inspection, is and must be I am, I was delighted to discover trying to the intellectual life of a school” Schools Week’s new column on the Z (MA, 1867). history of education. So delighted, Or, in the 21st century: in fact, that I promptly (foolishly?) “Teaching in schools is not as proposed a contribution of my own on a subject that is close to my heart – and creative or as lively as it once was. The that of the illustrious 19th-century poet government’s insistence on ‘driving and (which is less well known among up’ standards as measured on pencil- the wider public) schools inspector, and-paper tests of dubious validity Matthew Arnold. and reliability has led to too much My topic is the policy introduced mechanistic teaching and inspection, in the 1860s, known as “payment by where judgments of standards by results”. Its main purpose was to ensure inspectors have been determined far that schools receiving government too much by test scores rather than grants met minimum standards. by professional judgment. All this has Inspectors assessed schools on an adversely affected the intellectual life of annual basis, with payment of the grant the schools and the intellectual vitality of determined in large part by the number PAYMENT BY PERFORMANCE their teachers.” of children in a school achieving the And finally, on teaching to the test: expected standard. “In the game of mechanical concentrate the teacher’s attention on the of the overall quality of education in Although many inspectors commented contrivances the teachers will in the end on the deleterious effects of this policy, means of producing this minimum and their schools. The danger has been one beat us . . . it is now found possible, by arguably the most trenchant comments not simply on the good instruction of his of equating the meeting of targets with ingenious preparation, to get children came from Arnold himself. school. The danger to be guarded against successful education. The two have not through the revised code examination in And while I will not go so far as to draw is the mistake of treating these two – proved identical.” reading, writing and ciphering, without direct parallels with the present (this is a producing of this minimum successfully Arnold also comments on the their really knowing how to read, write or history column, after all) I have taken the and the good instruction of the school – as constraining effects of results-related pay cipher”(MA, 1867). liberty of translating Arnold’s words for if they were identical” (MA 1869). on creativity: No translation required. Plus ça a modern audience – a process that has Which may be translated as: “The mode of teaching in schools change... been rather illuminating... “Focusing on getting the maximum has certainly fallen off in intelligence, Here, he warns of the dangers of number of pupils meeting ‘threshold’ spirit and inventiveness. It could not be Justine Greening and Amanda setting floor targets: requirements ‘measured’ by national otherwise. In a country where everyone Spielman, please take note. “School grants earned by the scholar tests/examinations has concentrated is prone to rely too much on mechanical performing a certain minimum expressly teachers’ minds wonderfully, but has processes, and too little on intelligence, a Colin Richards is emeritus professor of laid down beforehand must inevitably distracted them from wider consideration change in the department’s regulations... education, University of Cumbria A week in Westminster Your regular guide to what’s going on in central government

accountability functions from the DfE won the support of an unlikely backer in THURSDAY: friday: Frank Green, the former national schools wednesday: We now have a date for the by-election In a green paper-induced coma. commissioner. Another day, another acronym. of David Cameron’s safe Tory seat and a True to his name, Frank took to Twitter This time, it’s PATE – or the Parents list of names rumoured to succeed the to post positive comments about a and Teachers for Excellence campaign former PM is circulating. But what will monday: recommendation by the Reform think tank group – which has a real ring to it (see the party’s chosen candidate think about that a separate organisation should look page 3), although they’ve gone with ‘Tis the season to go to party conferences, or grammar schools? after academies and their sponsors PTE for now. maybe not, if you’ve been the victim of an At the moment, free schools fan Toby (see page 6). Enter stage right Dame Rachel de Souza, administrative cock-up. Young and arch-Eurosceptic Daniel He agreed that the schools commissioners who said that: “For too long, the education Team Schools Week was left facing the Hannan are said to be in the running, with he used to oversee should be taken out of debate has taken place amongst elites prospect of staffing the Labour conference Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian government and merged with parts of the in Westminster and Whitehall”. So we in Liverpool without our northern Hudspeth and former employment minister Education Funding Agency, then linked were somewhat surprised to see so many powerhouse, Miss McInerney, after the Esther McVey. with bits of Ofsted to create a sort of mega- people with government links on its board, press team said they had not received Young has expressed misgivings about inspectorate for academies. including DfE behaviour tsar Tom Bennett her application. Her confirmation email and James Frayne, former special adviser to the policy, while Hannan has voiced his Green tweeted it was a “good idea as long suggested otherwise. Michael Gove, among others. support for “pluralism” in education, as Ofsted reformed at same time, so potential However, the party saw sense, realising including grammar schools. McVey appears conflict as well as conflict of interest We were even more surprised to find that it might look a little foolish if it refused to be keeping her cards close to her chest but resolved”. the director of the company behind the she did attend Belvedere school in Liverpool, to let in someone due to chair at least two campaign is none other than billionaire Jon I bet current national commissioner a former selective independent school now conference events. Moynihan, a board member of Vote Leave. David Carter is green with envy at his turned all-ability state school – and still predecessor’s newfound freedom of Next week we’re at Labour conference. rated as outstanding. tuesday: expression… Joy uncontained. So long until then! A proposal to remove academy CHECK OUT @SCHOOLSWEEKLIVE FOR LIVE TWEETS OF WESTMINSTER EVENTS 18 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 School Bulletin Literacy scheme funding boost

Pupils pretend they’re in a lion’s den

Hampstead school, north London, receives the 2016 secondary award from David Baddiel Vicky Sawka (left) leads a session Pupils incorporate creative initiative that explores Pupils are a tent into their imaginary community Shine a Light awards open literacy attainment through drama- encouraged to Abased learning has secured further create imaginary pplications for the fifth annual Shine A celebrity host is set to be revealed nearer funding. worlds and develop a Light awards, which recognise the the time, following on from comedian David The Huddersfield-based Imaginary characters for Acontributions of teams, settings and Baddiel, who was the guest of honour at this Communities programme is currently themselves, with activities that include individuals across England that support year’s ceremony. funded through the Arts Council England, keeping a diary while still in character to children and young people’s speech, Chris Hall, director of clinical assessment Paul Hamlyn Foundation and CAPE UK. develop writing and literacy skills. language and communication, are now at Pearson, said: “The continued popularity Developed in 2010, the scheme now Findings suggest that the initiative works open. of the awards proves how much is being works with 40 classes of children across ten well with pupils below the national average They were launched in 2011, and next achieved across the country to support primary and secondary schools in Yorkshire. in literacy and with those who don’t speak year are boosted by a partnership between young people with speech, language and Representatives from the programme work English as a first language. the Communication Trust and Pearson. communication, and this work is too often alongside teachers to develop interactive Vicky Sawka, Imaginary Communities’ Applications close on January 12, with unrecognised.” drama workshops with literacy attainment lead artist, said: “It’s rich contextualised the awards ceremony held in London on For more information on how to apply, go monitored before and throughout the learning; anyone can be what he or she March 23. to shinealightawards.co.uk programme. wants to be within a devised setting.”

FEATURED CALL FOR MORE A playground you can eat UNSUNG HEROES Pupils learn how to tamford Hill primary school in plant out herbs Sir Daniel Moynihan, the chair of the Tottenham, north London, has education honours committee, is Sinstalled an edible playground encouraging more schools to nominate as part of a countrywide initiative to their unsung heroes for awards. combat childhood obesity. Raised beds will be installed for Subject leaders, long-serving teachers, salads and root vegetables, fruit trees support staff and lollipop ladies are among established and compost areas set up. those the committee wants to see put up The aim is to educate children about for a nomination. where their food comes from, with planting and harvesting workshops held Honours are awarded biannually throughout the year. through the New Year’s honours list, which Support from the People’s Postcode is announced on New Year’s Day, and the Lottery has enabled Trees for Cities, the Queen’s Birthday list, announced in June. charity behind the scheme, to set up edible playgrounds in primary schools “Schools don’t think that it [the honours] across London, Reading, Manchester, is for them . . . and it is for them,” said Sir Leeds and Birmingham. Daniel. The first edible playground was “We’re looking for people who have made created in 2003, and there are now more than 30 in the UK, with plans to roll out a sustained and significant contribution, 40 more over the next three years. or done something innovative and gone Stamford Hill is one of 10 schools An edible playground in Lady Margaret primary school, west London beyond their job. There are loads of people that will act as flagship projects, chosen in our schools who do that stuff. We need because of their location in cities with support and project management. high levels of childhood obesity and Pupils at Stamford Hill enjoy their crop David Elliott, chief executive at to find out about them.” food poverty. Trees for Cities, said: “Our edible Schools can nominate staff through the Kathy O’Sullivan, the school’s “We are keen to extend our work on playgrounds programme addresses GOV.UK website. The process involves filling headteacher, said: “As part of our healthy schools . . . growing our food felt several key areas of concern around in an initial form to say why someone is ongoing work on healthy eating we have like the next logical step.” children’s health. They teach pupils installed a kitchen and employed our On average, installing an edible where food comes from, that healthy worthy of an honour, with letters of own cook. A cooking room is also being playground costs about £30,000, which food can be the easy choice, in and support testifying why the nominee does a installed so we can develop the cooking covers everything from the initial out of school, and encourage good job, with supporting evidence. curriculum across the school. design, construction, educational physical activity.” SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 19 MOVERS & SHAKERS Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

Rob Jones, headmaster of Rendcomb group of children on a much wider scale college in Gloucestershire, has been offers the very best opportunities. appointed to the Society of Heads’ “One of the things we’ve shared is education committee. a new vision and set of values for the The society was formed in 1961 when school. We hold the values of positivity, a group of independent school leaders respect, integrity, determination and decided they needed a forum for sharing excellence, and that underpins what ideas and experiences. It now has more we’re going to do.” than 100 members. Sarah Sears, the former vice-principal Jones completed a masters in educational at Risdene, has been appointed principal at leadership at the University of Buckingham Warwick academy in Wellingborough. before becoming an economics and Sears, who was at Risdene for eight business teacher. year, previously worked in private and He was appointed deputy head at state schools in London, Dublin and Shiplake college, Henley-on-Thames, in Manchester, including teaching pupils 2011, moving to Rendcomb last year. with special educational needs at a Dublin “I am delighted to be asked to join such girls’ school. Rob Jones Kerry Mills Sarah Sears an important committee and look forward She has a BEd honours in primary to playing my part in helping the member education, specialising in art and design. schools,” he said. of Risdene academy in Rushden. Mills became a specialist leader, supporting She is most looking forward to “being the “This committee discusses and advises on Formerly vice-principal at Oakley Vale and developing leadership capacity boss”. “As a deputy for eight years I’ve the big issues in education and I know that primary school, she began her career in within schools, and developing teaching never made those ultimate decisions that this opportunity will help in my leadership education as a trampoline coach, working and learning. This lead to her job at I think are right and will impact on the of Rendcomb.” with children from the age of 13 upwards, Oakley Vale, a position she held for almost children in a positive way. before completing a degree in sports three years. “I’ll be making sure that staff morale is The Education Fellowship academy psychology. She got a full-time job as a Mills said of her new role: “This is a new good and that we look after each other, trust has made senior appointments at teacher and after two years, progressed challenge for me and a new step in my work as a team and make sure we actually do two of its twelve primary schools across to being a lead teacher for gifted and career. The opportunity to impact on a have a work-life balance.” Northamptonshire. talented pupils. If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your school, local authority or organisation Kerry Mills has been appointed principal After taking part in opening a new school, please let us know by emailing [email protected]

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Vacancies

ACHIEVEMENT DIRECTOR, BUSINESS STUDIES & ICT

Location: Orpington, Kent Job Ref: 1691 Salary: LPS + £1,500 Harris Allowance + Health Cash Plan + Harris Benefits (see our benefits page for full details) Closing Date: 10th October, 2016 Interviews: Wednesday 12th October & Thursday 13th October Required from January 2017/or sooner

The Achievement Director for Business Studies & ICT is a key role within the Academy, leading an already committed and very willing team. We offer a very broad and balanced Business Studies & ICT curriculum which has the highest of profile within the Academy. You will be able to develop and implement Business Studies & Harris Orpington Academy ICT within a brand new Academy; a really exciting challenge and opportunity.

We are looking for someone who is a committed professional and has a real passion What we are looking for: for Business Studies & ICT. The successful candidate will be an Outstanding teacher, enthusiastic and have a deep understanding of all aspects of their subject. There • Outstanding and committed teachers with a deep understanding of all will be excellent CPD opportunities to support you in your development as a leader aspects of their subject. within the Academy and across the Federation. • Practitioners with the ability to help develop colleagues to reach your high standards. • Experienced teachers with sound understanding and knowledge of all aspects of teaching and learning. ACHIEVEMENT DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE Why work at Harris Academy Orpington?

Location: Orpington, Kent • An opportunity to join an ambitious new academy at the heart of the local Job Ref: 1677 community. Salary: LPS + £1,500 Harris Allowance + Health Cash Plan + Harris Benefits • A focus to provide a quality learning experience both inside and outside the (see our benefits page for full details) classroom. Closing Date: 10th October, 2016 • An excellent career move as a stepping stone to senior leadership. Interviews: Wednesday 12th October & Thursday 13th October • Harris Academy Orpington combines the traditional values of good Required from January 2017/or sooner manners, strong discipline and respect with excellent teaching. • Generous Harris Benefits package and excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. The Achievement Director for Science is a key role within the Academy, leading an already committed and very willing team. We offer a very broad and balanced Science curriculum which has the highest of profile within the Academy. You will Harris Academy Orpington replaces The Priory School, an 11-18 co- be able to develop and implement Science within a brand new Academy; a really educational school with 1,100 pupils on roll. Harris Academy Orpington exciting challenge and opportunity. combines the traditional values of good manners, strong discipline and respect with excellent teaching. Our highly skilled and committed teachers We are looking for someone who is a committed professional and has a real passion inspire students to work hard and achieve their absolute best. Lessons are for Science. The successful candidate will be an Outstanding teacher, enthusiastic interesting and engaging and students are enthusiastic about learning. and have a deep understanding of all aspects of their subject. There will be excellent CPD opportunities to support you in your development as a leader within the For any other queries please contact the HR Manager, Julie Nemeth Academy and across the Federation. [email protected]

Harris Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and Discover more by visiting www.harriscareers.org.uk volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check. In line with our commitments to safeguarding, the Harris Federation uses preferred agencies and is unable to work with to start a quick and easy online application. any agencies where Terms of Business have not been agreed by both parties prior to an engagement. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 21 jobs

LYONSDOWN SCHOOL PRIDE OF PLACE - Established 1906

New Barnet, EN5 1SA Non-selective preparatory day school, Girls 3-11, Boys 3-7 Approximately 200 on roll

HEAD START: SEPTEMBER 2017, OR EARLIER CLOSING DATE: 10am WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28th 2016

We are looking for an inspiring, motivating and dynamic leader, passionate about providing excellence in education, to succeed Mrs Lynn Maggs-Wellings who is retiring after more than ten years’ dedicated and exemplary service. We would like to hear from you if you share our family ethos and commitment to providing a nurturing environment, valuing each child as an individual, and achieving high academic standards. Our new Head will be able to retain Lyonsdown’s traditional values whilst having the vision, energy and passion to lead the school forward, embracing 21st century opportunities. We can offer an exciting leadership opportunity in our friendly, welcoming and vibrant school community – enthusiastic children with excellent attitudes to learning and school life, parents who are committed to the values and ethos of the school, dedicated and experienced staff and an effective and supportive Board. We enjoy a North London location in an attractive residential area, with easy access to rural areas. Further information can be downloaded here: http://www.rsacademics.co.uk/vacancies/head-lyonsdown-school Informal visits by prospective applicants are warmly welcomed and a member of the Board would be delighted to share Lyonsdown with you. Please contact our Chair, Andrea Morley, to make arrangements: [email protected] Lyonsdown School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS and other checks in line with safer recruitment best practice. 22 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 jobs

‘’Inspire a generation of ASD learners to realise their full potential’’ Play a pivotal role as Headteacher of SGS Pegasus School, Bristol

SGS ACADEMY TRUST Ref: HT101 Salary: Leadership spine: £54,503 to £73,144 Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire

Contract Type: Permanent Full-time Closing date for applications: 9.00 am Monday 26th September, 2016 Expected interview date: Thursday 6th October, 2016

Based at our purpose built new £8m Free School designed to enable ASD learners to succeed in a mainstream environment, the SGS Pegasus School is situated close to the main M4/M5 corridor at Patchway, on the South Gloucestershire / Bristol border.

As part of the South Gloucestershire and Stroud Academy Trust (SGSAT), the SGS Pegasus School will open to our first intake from September 2017. The School will be a ground breaking development providing a genuinely innovative school for children and young people, aged between 4 and 19, who have autism.

At full-capacity, the School will cater for 80 pupils who will access the national curriculum while still receiving the specialist support they need. We are absolutely committed to ensuring learners leave the School feeling fulfilled and able to play a valuable and contributing part of society.

The School has been developed in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council in direct response to their need to provide excellent local education within the area for learners with ASD. Many learners are currently transported out of the region to receive specialist education and on completion of their studies find in hard to transition back into their local community.

The Trust are passionate in their belief that our pupils should have the same opportunities that most of us take for granted – nationally only 15% of young people with autism go onto university, further education, training or employment – however, we estimate that at least 85% of our pupils will! We need an exceptional individual to realise this ambition.

We are seeking an outstanding Leader with knowledge and understanding of ASD and who can absolutely demonstrate that they are a passionate, child-centred practitioner with the ability to lead the School forward within a rigorous professional environment focused on the progress and achievement of children. The successful applicant will need experience of multi-agency working.

For an application pack please email: [email protected]

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory Disclosure Certificate as a requirement of the job.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College welcomes applications from all sectors of the community and is an equal opportunities employer. SGS Academy Trust embraces diversity in all its aspects and aims to employ a workforce which reflects, at every level, the community it serves. Our aim is to create an environment which respects the diversity of staff and students enabling them to achieve their full potential, to fully contribute and to derive enjoyment from working and studying with the Trust.

The Trust aims to ensure that all actual or potential employees and students are treated fairly and appropriately regardless of age, disability, family responsibility, marital status, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, trade union activity and unrelated criminal convictions. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 77 FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016 23

Director for Inclusion Leadership Point 6-10 Start date: January 2017 or earlier

Do you want to be part of our journey of transformation to become an outstanding growing Junior School? We are looking for an experienced and dynamic leader to join us and become a member of our newly-formed, highly-driven leadership team.

The Full Time Director for Inclusion will have responsibility for developing an inspiring vision using the new SEND Framework and Code of Practice to support children with SEND to make outstanding progress. They will develop the newly-formed Inclusion team to meet the needs of all children and our community.

For full details contact Angela Watts, Principal or Brenda Stuart, School Business Manager on 01933 381600 | [email protected] or visit www.educationfellowship.net

Visits to the school are welcomed.

Closing date for applications: Friday 7th October Interviews: Wednesday 19th October Ruskin Academy is an Education Fellowship academy.

Ruskin Academy and The Education Fellowship are committed to the safeguarding of children and adopt safer recruitment procedures. Posts are subject to enhanced DBS clearance. We have an Equal Opportunities Policy which aims to make sure that we treat everyone fairly.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3432 1394

[email protected] WWW.SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK 24 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, SEP 23, 2016

Thursday 13th and Friday 14th October 2016 Beaumont Estate, Berkshire

Join fellow MAT leaders from across the country for two days of talks from high profile speakers, in-depth strategic masterclasses and unrivalled networking opportunities.

www.MATSummit.co.uk

Hosted by

Lead sponsors: In partnership with:

How to play: Fill in all blank squares Spot the difference SCHOOLS WEEK Sudoku challenge making sure that each row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 to WIN a Schools Week mug Last Week’s solutions 3 1 Difficulty: 1 8 2 5 EASY 2 4 5 1 3 8 9 7 6 8 6 1 7 9 5 4 2 3 5 7 9 3 6 4 2 8 1 5 9 8 3 1 3 2 6 4 8 7 5 9 1 5 1 4 2 6 9 3 8 7 6 1 7 8 9 7 8 3 5 1 2 6 4 2 6 6 5 9 8 7 3 1 4 2 7 4 1 5 8 4 8 2 5 1 6 7 3 9 1 3 7 9 2 4 6 5 8 9 7 Difficulty: 2 9 What’s the caption? tweet a caption @schoolsweek EASY

Difficulty: MEDIUM 3 1 5 8 1 5 2 9 3 6 4 7 7 1 9 4 6 7 1 5 3 8 2 7 9 4 7 2 3 8 6 4 5 9 1 3 7 9 5 8 2 1 6 4 8 2 5 4 1 7 6 8 3 9 5 2 6 3 8 1 6 8 4 3 9 2 7 5 7 4 2 5 9 1 3 4 8 7 2 6 4 3 7 6 2 1 9 5 8 5 3 7 6 8 2 9 5 7 4 1 3 4 9 7

6 7 3 8 Solutions: Difficulty: Spot five differences. First correct entry wins a mug. Tweet a picture of your completed spot the difference using @schoolsweek in the tweet. Next week MEDIUM