Carry on with the conference
HEAD teachers in Derby are going ahead with their annual conference this week despite criticism over the cost last year.
The conference, which has been taking place for eight years, has been endorsed by two of the country's major teaching unions – the National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders.
-
Andrew Flack
The two-day and one night event is organised by head teachers in Derby, in partnership with the city council, and is regarded by them as a valuable way to share good practice and develop new initiatives.
Last year, the £35,000 conference, which takes place at Hoar Cross Hall on Thursday and Friday,
was branded a "slap in he face for tax-payers" by critics.
More than 100 head teachers are expected to attend the event at a cost of about £330 each, which is found from individual school funds.
Bradley Ames, chair of governors at Chellaston Infant School, said: "This event provides excellent value for money compared to other educational training and conferences around the country.
"It enables head teachers to meet colleagues, share experiences and learn from some of the leading educational thinkers in the country.
"The education world is fast moving and it is vital that heads make time to develop their own learning and acquire new skills to take back to their schools."
The days, which include a series of talks and workshops on improving the teachers' roles as leaders, are scheduled to last from 9am to 4pm. Food and accommodation are included in the price.
Alistair Smith, one of the UK's leading trainers in modern learning methods, will be among the speakers.
He has developed an award-winning scheme to raise pupil motivation and achievement and has worked with the English Football Association as the designated learning consultant.
Simon Emsley, head teacher at Lakeside Community Primary School, in Alvaston, said: "It is a great chance to hear national speakers. The evenings are taken up with a musical performance by city school children and meetings, with the event not finishing until about 9pm.
"It makes sense to stay over and there is no suitable alternative in Derby itself.
"It is not a jolly, as some people might think."
David Nichols, head teacher at Littleover Community School, said: "Residential courses are the norm in education, industry and even among councillors. They are extremely useful and part of staff development that delivers results for schools."
Andrew Flack, city council director for children and young people, said: "The future success of our city's young people depends very heavily on the quality of their education – never more so than in difficult economic times.
"The single most important factor in the success of a school is the quality of leadership and it is therefore vital we invest in our head teachers.
"These conferences have always attracted world class speakers who have inspired our audience and are excellent value for money."
19 Comments
View all
by Angela, Derby
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 3:53PM
“Robert, they should be able to, the reason I didn't go into teaching was the abolition of corporal punishment, I knew what some of the children in my class were like, only the threat of the cane kept them under control, pity it's not still in force.”
by Robert, Derby
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 3:44PM
“Anyone who has to deal with some of today's brats gets my thumbs up.
Sadly the use of a tazar on them isn't allowed, hence i'm not a teacher.
Go enjoy yourselves headteachers.”
by Angela, Derby
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:57PM
“Sounds great being a teacher these days doesn't it?
Being spat at by pupils, having them throw the books and chairs, then there are the parents who take exception to their little darling being told off and proceeds to physically attack the teacher for daring to do the parents job. Add to this all the hours of marking, setting up of lessons and further training to keep abreast of new technology, then there are the school trips that teachers supervise, especially the ones at such as Kingswood, The Briars etc its enough to make hundreds rush to take on the job.I take my hat off to any that try to educate our children, so when they have put in some twenty years and become a headteacher they still spend half their time still learning in order to teach. Don't deprive them of some comfortable surroundings or bemoan the cost, how many have been injured by either pupils or their parents, it is a small price to pay, so they are welcome to my council tax and gladly.”
by Jo, Derbys
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:54PM
“Both my parents were secondary school teachers before they retired, and I have heard first hand over many years about the overload of paper work and external targets, which detracts from classroom teaching, and teachers deciding what is best for their schools and good practice.It seems to have gone to ridiculous levels, and is eroding teachers' morale.Many of the younger less experienced ones were reported as "dropping like flies" with severe stress.
So I don't begrudge an annual conference, which is pretty common place in most sectors.
Above all , less external political inteference form any quarter would be highly desirable; the public sector and education is not a political football!”
by Mr Bronson, Denby
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:51PM
“And your point is Joanne? They still pay the same taxes as everyone else and pay into a pension scheme, if the pension scheme is better than yours, what's the issue other than your jealousy? I really can't understand people in this country, if you don't work your a scrounger, if you work hard you're a money grabber. As with any other profession the individuals have worked hard through education, training and careers to achieve a better standard of living for themselves. People who then don't have this through what ever circumstance always have to gripe about it. Teachers, bankers, police whoever deserve the salary/benefits they receive because they've chosen that path and worked hard to achieve it. Fair play to them. I'd be a teacher at the drop of a hat but I'm just not cut out for the commitment to that profession.”