Blogging from the DCSF Influential Heads’ Forum

Written by Alex Vail

Joan Deslandes, Headteacher of Kingsford Community School started the day off with a keynote speech about why it is so important to work together for the good of all children. She is actively involved with a key partnership initiative with Brighton College. This was followed up with two inspiring speeches from pupils at their respective schools: Georgie Aisbitt (Brighton) and Jorden Edger (Kingsford), who both spoke from the heart about friendships forged and lessons learnt by each, thanks to the partnership between their two schools.

There followed an excellent session regarding governorship in state and independent schools. The cross-fertilisation of skills and expertise proves invaluable to a growing number of schools from both sectors. Dr Elizabeth Sidwell, Principal of the Haberdasher’s Federation, spoke about how much she and Wellington College have learnt from each other since she took up a post as governor there. Richard Cairns, Head at Brighton, spoke practically about three of the initiatives he has implemented at his own school, since joining the board of Kingsford Community School:

- Regular appraisals of teaching staff, by pupils
- Heads of faculty from Kingsford conducting “inspections” of lessons at Brighton, and vice-versa
- Entrepreneurship days, after discovering that there was a greater entrepreneurial spirity at Kingsford.

When the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Ed Balls, joined the forum for a Q&A session, he spoke of the “three hundred plus” partnership schemes currently in place, and the potential for expanding on this. When asked repeatedly about the effects of bureaucracy and regulations on schools, he spoke of “discretion within a constraining framework”, a need for flexibility within the defined regulations. He said that although some independent schools would appreciate the opportunity to be seen as on a level playing field as other schools within their LEAs, if DCSF attempted to impose the same level of regulations on them as on their maintained sector counterparts, that ISC would jump to its members’ defence immediately.

He was, of course, unable to leave such a distinguished audience without addressing ContactPoint, mentioning his concern that independent school obstruction might somehow destabilise successful partnership initiatives. He was sadly out of time before he could explain how this might happen.

Wonderful barbershop and gospel-inspired choral work from a combination of pupils from Brighton and Kingsford broke up the talking for a few minutes with moving music, which reinforced the messages of the morning, about what can be achieved when children from very different backgrounds, with a variety of talents, work together.

A series of case studies, looking at curricular partnerships, threw up some brilliant ideas being practiced by schools, such as a university access scheme (Norwich School), a gifted & talented summer school (The Cheltenham Ladies’ College), the C/D GCSE borderline programme (The Lady Eleanor Holles School) and engineering diplomas (Wellington College). My personal favourite was Patrick Derham from Rugby School, who spoke passionately about the effects of his school’s extended projects – particularly in philosophy, but also in science seminars and sixth form research support. He spoke of a real hunger for these types of events among not only local school pupils, but undergraduates for miles around. All very exciting!

After lunch, the day continued with a key look at the academies programme, asking what an academy is “a type of school, dealing with some of the bigger problems we face” (Elizabeth Sidwell) and how necessary support for academies is (Sir Mark Grundy, Shireland Collegiate Academy). Pat Dubas (Samworth Enterprise Academy) and Richard Harman (Uppingham) explained the many benefits of forging an academy/independent school partnership from both perspectives. This session closed with Mike Simpkin (Office of the Schools Commissioner), explaining how independent schools can become involved with academies.

A session devoted to sporting and other extra-curricular activity partnerships showed some exciting, and successful, ideas, including:

- Sports partnerships between Millfield and City Academy, Bristol
- City of London School’s CCF programme
- The East London Consortium Women in Leadership programme
- Musical partnership between Cardinal Heenan High School and Ampleforth

East London Consortium consists of six London girls’ schools, including Skinners’ Company’s School for Girls and has a number of initiatives, including the Women in Leadership programme, a 16-week course, followed by a residential workshop and awards ceremony. Jenny Wilkins, Principal of Skinners’ spoke passionately and movingly about the enormous opportunities seized by girls in the consortium’s member schools. Their next conference, completely organised by girls in the consortium will take place at the QEII conference centre in London, this year.

In conclusion, Joan Deslandes and Richard Cairns asked that the “influential heads” in attendance do whatever possible to promote partnership between the two sectors.

Schools Minister Jim Knight stopped by to end the day off. He emphasised his continued commitment and enthusiasm for partnerships, and that he was passionate about parents’ rights to choose the best education for their children. When he took questions from the floor, Sue Freestone from King’s Ely made a valid point about independent schools often feeling they are “treading on eggshells” around maintained schools local authorities and central government, as attitudes toward the sector often vary from suspicion to downright hostility. Ros McMullen, Principal of the David Young Community Academy, spoke to Mr Knight (for what clearly wasn’t the first time) about the difficulties faced by academies in having their independence diminished by working with LEAs.

An interesting day, with some really useful discussions. As one delegate asked during questions: “Isn’t it a shame that all the people here are already working so hard on partnership projects? It would have been wonderful to see some new faces and open some closed minds.” Luckily, ISC is coming to the rescue on that front, with a huge conference for Heads, Partnership co-ordinators and senior management teams from independent schools, state-maintained schools and academies from across the UK. The event, featuring a number of todays speakers, will take place on Wednesday 3 June at the Brewery in central London. To book your place, please click here.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 3:02 pm by Alex Vail and is filed under News, Public Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.