Hughes quizzes Coaker on Head teachers (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Hughes quizzes Coaker on Head teachers

December 4, 2009 6:34 PM

• [Nov 30] Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): WHAT proportion of head teachers he expects to retire in the next five years.

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Vernon Coaker (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; Gedling, Labour): We estimate that 38 per cent. of current head teachers will have retired by 2015. Dealing with the loss of their skills and experience will be not only a challenge, but an opportunity. We have invested £30 million, through the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services succession planning strategy, to ensure that this demographic challenge is managed effectively. The national college continues to work closely with schools, local authorities and faith bodies around the country to find, develop and keep excellent head teachers.

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Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): Although the head teacher recruitment crisis may have eased slightly, Professor John Howson, who is widely respected as the best analyst of these issues, says that the crisis in recruiting heads is continuing. The Government have had 12 and a half years in office, so why is that the case and what do they propose to do in the next six months to make the prospect better?

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Vernon Coaker (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; Gedling, Labour): I said to the hon. Gentleman that the national college has been working exceptionally hard to develop succession planning. It has been out looking to identify people who might well be the heads of the future. The hon. Gentleman will know-perhaps he saw some of the reports over the weekend-that the national college said that there were more teachers now than before who were aspiring to be the head teachers of the future. One of the ways that we can get more head teachers is to keep reminding ourselves and everyone of the excellent job that our head teachers do, of the need for proper leadership in our schools and of the way in which, if we get that effective leadership, we can turn around any sort of school. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would join me in saying that it is an excellent profession. May I take this opportunity to congratulate our head teachers on the work that they do?

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: