AROUND 100 headteachers in 'failing' schools face the axe under Conservative proposals being announced today.
All schools that have been in special measures for one year by next summer, will have their governing bodies removed and replaced with a new governing body by the start of the autumn term.
Those bodies will be expected to draft in new headteachers in an attempt to turn around the schools' fortunes.
Michael Gove, the shadow schools secretary, said: "We will in our first hundred days identify the very worst schools - the sink schools - which have desperately failed their children and put them rapidly into the hands of heads with a proven track record of success.
"We will remove the managements which have failed and replace them with people who know how to turn round schools. "
Mr Gove said he believed high-profile, no-nonsense headteachers could provide the right leadership to improve 'failing' schools. He paid tribute to Sir Michael Wilshaw, head at school in London which had previously suffered poor results but where 85 per cent of pupils now got top marks at GCSE.
"What Sir Michael does is deliver what every sensible parent knows is needed in our schools," said Mr Gove.
"He insists on a proper uniform - with blazer and tie - respect for authority, clear sanctions for troublemakers and no excuses for bad behaviour.
"He sets classes by ability - so the brightest can be stretched and the weakest given special support.
"He teaches traditional subjects in a rigorous way and when the bureaucrats try to insert the latest fashionable nonsense into the curriculum he tells them where to get off. There are fantastic extra-curricular activities, proper competitive sports and an amazing team of teachers - who work into the evenings and on Saturdays to give their pupils the best possible chance in life. Why isn't every state school like that? It's my job to make sure they are."
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Showing comments 1 to 7 and replies | View All
ebble, manchester (07/10/2009 at 12:29)
Most so-called failing schools aren't failing at all. They are dealing with a clientele which has been failed by its parents. Schools are like computers - garbage in, garbage out.
JAM65 (07/10/2009 at 12:42)
Well is George Osbournes proposals go thro' evryone will be on staaled salaries - a real encouragement for putting in the extra hours, believe me I'm not a teacher and certainly don't think they are underpaid far from it, but one part of the party can't be cutting salaries (in real terms) and the other expecting public sector workers to go the extra mile.
As for Angie Robinson's comments yesterday about the poor old private sector feeling like they're working for others ie, the public sector, the public sector have consistantly lower salaries than the comparible private sector workers, which was always balanced out by the better job security. Now we're expected to work for nothing just the public good for which no-one is grateful AND not know if the job is going to be there in 6 months. We don't hear the private sector bleating in the good times.
Hindsight (07/10/2009 at 19:45)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (07/10/2009 at 22:52)
So much for the staff..Form 4B...(they no longer exist) year blah pull your hoods down please, please...thank you Oliivatatitannia.
Hmm. I did say the borders had weed. I meant.....Oh well
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (08/10/2009 at 12:46)
JTC Formerley JimC (08/10/2009 at 13:07)
Spot on.
These politicians need to take a long hard look in the mirror, they made the rules, you can't even give your child a slap now with the knowledge that you could end up with a charge sheet. They make the rules, then sit back and wait for you to break them. Democracy NO. Dictatorship CERTAINLY.
Horatio Dogsbody, Flixton (08/10/2009 at 23:02)