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More than half of secondary heads 'consider quitting' | More than half of secondary heads 'consider quitting' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Over half of secondary heads are considering quitting because of "toxic" government rhetoric, a survey suggests. | Over half of secondary heads are considering quitting because of "toxic" government rhetoric, a survey suggests. |
The Association of School and College Leaders blamed a barrage of unfounded criticism for low morale, as its annual conference begins in Birmingham. | The Association of School and College Leaders blamed a barrage of unfounded criticism for low morale, as its annual conference begins in Birmingham. |
ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said heads felt angry, frustrated and on the verge of being bullied. | ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said heads felt angry, frustrated and on the verge of being bullied. |
A government spokesman said it wanted to work with head teachers to achieve a world class education system. | A government spokesman said it wanted to work with head teachers to achieve a world class education system. |
The survey also showed more than 60% of the heads questioned felt government policies were having a detrimental effect on their pupils' education. | The survey also showed more than 60% of the heads questioned felt government policies were having a detrimental effect on their pupils' education. |
Around nine out of 10 said they thought the government did not recognise the work they did and was not supportive of the teaching profession. | Around nine out of 10 said they thought the government did not recognise the work they did and was not supportive of the teaching profession. |
A new low | A new low |
More than 1,800 secondary school leaders, including 1,000 head teachers, took part in the survey for ASCL and the Times Educational Supplement (TES). | More than 1,800 secondary school leaders, including 1,000 head teachers, took part in the survey for ASCL and the Times Educational Supplement (TES). |
The union said the figures showed morale amongst secondary school leaders had reached a new low, with half of those surveyed saying they would not recommend headship to a colleague. | The union said the figures showed morale amongst secondary school leaders had reached a new low, with half of those surveyed saying they would not recommend headship to a colleague. |
More than a third were actively looking to quit now, it added. | More than a third were actively looking to quit now, it added. |
And more than three quarters of deputy and assistant heads said they were less likely to go for headship than they were a year ago. | And more than three quarters of deputy and assistant heads said they were less likely to go for headship than they were a year ago. |
Mr Lightman said ASCL's members were professionals who were absolutely committed but could only take so much of what he called "toxic rhetoric". | Mr Lightman said ASCL's members were professionals who were absolutely committed but could only take so much of what he called "toxic rhetoric". |
He added: "They want to work with the government to continue to improve standards but instead they are being treated as part of the problem. | He added: "They want to work with the government to continue to improve standards but instead they are being treated as part of the problem. |
"The government has cherry-picked international statistics, made sweeping generalisations and painted a caricature of schools as failing in order to justify its policy decisions. This must stop." | "The government has cherry-picked international statistics, made sweeping generalisations and painted a caricature of schools as failing in order to justify its policy decisions. This must stop." |
'Skills vital' | 'Skills vital' |
A spokesman for the Department for Education said it could not ignore concerns about standards. | A spokesman for the Department for Education said it could not ignore concerns about standards. |
"We have slipped down the international performance tables and we must rectify this. | "We have slipped down the international performance tables and we must rectify this. |
"We know that the vast majority of heads are doing a good job, often in challenging circumstances. We're undertaking a major reform programme and their skills and experience are vital." | |
The spokesman added that government reforms would give heads more control over teaching, pupil development and discipline and less paperwork. | The spokesman added that government reforms would give heads more control over teaching, pupil development and discipline and less paperwork. |
Commenting on the survey, Gerard Kelly, editor of the TES, said the figures were: "bad, really bad ... for a government that sets such store on competent leaders driving an autonomous system". | Commenting on the survey, Gerard Kelly, editor of the TES, said the figures were: "bad, really bad ... for a government that sets such store on competent leaders driving an autonomous system". |
Labour's shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg said: "As well as tackling underperformance, we need to celebrate excellent performance. If we don't support this generation of head teachers, there is a real danger they could leave the profession in droves." | Labour's shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg said: "As well as tackling underperformance, we need to celebrate excellent performance. If we don't support this generation of head teachers, there is a real danger they could leave the profession in droves." |
Are you a secondary school headteacher? What are your views on this story? Please contact us via the form below | Are you a secondary school headteacher? What are your views on this story? Please contact us via the form below |