Leeds MP Holds Government to Account over Record on School Funding
October 13, 2009 7:26 PM
Local MP Greg Mulholland seized the opportunity yesterday to question the Minister of State for Children Schools and Families, Vernon Coaker MP.
Greg uncovered the shocking statistic that as many as 38% of people currently working as head teachers are expected to have retired by 2015.
Upon hearing this statistic Greg challenged the Minister over reports that the Government was planning to scrap 3000 head teachers and leadership posts in schools.
Greg Commented:
"We all know that over the years New Labour have poured money into the education system, unfortunately however much of this money has been mis-spent on unpopular schemes.
"The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families was amongst the first cabinet ministers to announce cuts in his budget in response to the recession, which sheds new light on where education now stands in regards to this government's priorities.
"Unfortunately the Minister completely failed to address the issue of the shortfall in head teachers that will result from 38% of them retiring, or the logic behind the proposed cuts."
Ends.
Notes to editors:
Links to original stories about cuts below:
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6841387.ece)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8265166.stm
Text from Hansard:
12. Greg Mulholland (Leeds, North-West) (LD): What proportion of head teachers he expects to retire from their posts in the next five years. [292203]
The Minister for Schools and Learners (Mr. Vernon Coaker): 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 a challenge and 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.
Greg Mulholland: The Minister has used the word "challenge". Other people describe the number of head teachers retiring as a crisis. In that regard, may I ask the Minister why on earth the Government have announced at this stage the scrapping of 3,000 head teachers and leadership posts in schools? Will that not make the situation much worse?
Mr. Coaker: I do not accept that there is a crisis in head teacher recruitment. There is a challenge, and that is one reason why we have given the national college £30 million to help develop succession planning, which is necessary. On the issue of axing 3,000 head teacher posts, that is not a figure that the Department has used. It is right as we develop schools for the future that we look at how schools are organised and managed, and federations are one way forward. Certainly, we have never used the figure of 3,000 head teacher posts to be axed.
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