Maybe we need demon headmasters

Maltheus reads in the news today that apparently headmasters don't make any difference to struggling schools. The Policy Exchange, a leading thinktank has concluded that the introduction of a new headteacher won't make any hardly any difference in a failing institution.

Maltheus believes this is a load of old codswallop. Like any large institution the impact a successful leader can have upon that place is enormous. A school needs strong leadership and with it they can be steered to success. A strong leader provides inspiration and direction, a weak leader creates chaos and failure for students and staff. The EDP has took it upon theirselves to criticise heads as well, claiming that they are too often clones of each other, unafraid to tackle the real issues. The EDP claims that Heads are afraid of making real decisions over issues such as exclusion. Does the writer: 1. Realise how hard it is to exclude a student? 2. Realise that it impacts on alot of people by excluding a student - including the student being excluded and their family? and is therefore not a easy decision to make and 3. Ever think to go into a school and see how many different things a head has to do and manage?

From Maltheus's experience of working with headteachers they deserve everyones respect. Most of them do enjoy a good wage but it is rarely a easy job, takes great determination and in Norfolk we have a number of great leaders, prepared to make difficult decisions and undoubtedly leading teams of committed teachers to make a real change to students lives.

As the case in any sector or industry there are good and bad performers. Headteachers and teachers deserve all of our respect not criticism.