May 2011

The know zone

• Held to account?
  Changes in the way schools are organised raise complex questions about who is ultimately at the top of the chain of command, says Richard Bird. More
• Let's talk about socks...
  The demise of bureaucracy-laden FMSiS is welcome but it leaves a big gap and was done too abruptly. Will its replacement be any better? Sam Ellis is doubtful. More
• Lead vocals
  Quotes from Gene Mauch, Tom Peters, George Eliot, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Reigler and Mark Twain More
• Good as gold
  The gold medal winner in the SecEd Headteachers’ PA of the Year awards, Pamela Zborowski works at Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College in Cheshire. Her previous posts include Manchester United’s merchandising operation and working as a nanny, secretary and cook for a well-known political figure. More
• Perfect fit
  Charity SGOSS tracks down people with management skills for governor posts in schools and colleges. More
• Adding value
  One of the many jobs to be done when converting to academy status is to notify your suppliers of the new you, but it appears a simple letter to your energy supplier is not enough. More
• Cries to review review
  The Wolf Review has recommended limiting vocational learning for under-16s to no more than 20 per cent of a pupil’s timetable. Is it the best way forward and does it send the right message about education and skills in the 21st century? And where does it leave personalised learning? School and college leaders share their thoughts. More
• Crash test dummies?
  In this excerpt from his first address to ASCL Annual Conference as general secretary, Brian Lightman reviews the performance of the coalition government to date and considers the criticism that it has “thrown the education system into reverse”. More
• Token rewards
  When there are market forces at work in school and the wider community, you need to bring your inner-entrepreneur to the fore, says Carl Sugden. More