Isle of Wight Head Teachers have written to Councillors asking for their views to be considered in the March education vote.

Whilst individual Head Teachers hold different views as to how best to shape the future of the Island’s education, they are united in a number of serious concerns.  Most significantly, they comment that there is no evidence that any one system of school organisation has been shown to improve or reduce the attainment of pupils and young people.

In fact, the experiences of Local Authorities such as Norfolk and Northampton show how damaging a change of school structure can be to children’s education.

Cllr Patrick Joyce, whose Motion to halt the current consultation will go before the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 20th February said:  

There has been a real concern that teachers and Head Teachers were not involved in developing the proposals or consultation, and that they feel unable to participate in the debate.  Their professional contribution is important, in the same way as that of School Governors, parents, Parish Councils and everyone else affected by these proposals

Taken together, the National Association of Head Teachers letter to Councillors, another from Middle School Head Teachers, Cllr David Pugh’s letter to Governors and other communications, confirm fears that different sectors, individual schools and local communities are being divided against one another. 

Commenting on the concerns addressed to Councillors, Cllr Melanie Swan said:

Indications are that schools will be, and already are, driven to try to protect their own interests by the current political and Local Authority leadership.  Attention and energy, which should be devoted to improving our children’s lives, is being dissipated by people driven, in some cases, to near desperation.

This is a dreadful waste of professional energy and expertise and abusive of the care and commitment of teachers, parents and Governors. I cannot imagine how anyone could think this will improve the chances of the children living through this process.

Head Teachers, like other stakeholders, have expressed doubts as to whether the Council has the capability to manage a major change in the school system both effectively and with sensitivity. 

Indeed, the current proposals and consultation are eroding professional confidence in the Local Authority, just as they appear to have eroded the confidence of other stakeholders.

Cllr Melanie Swan:  Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.