Over the weekend, Boris Johnson delivered an emotive appeal to the country, arguing that it is “morally indefensible” to keep schools closed longer than necessary, and that we have a “moral duty” to get all children back into school in September.
I don’t think anyone who’s seen the ongoing exchanges between headteachers, on social media and elsewhere, could doubt how deep their sense of moral duty is. Their discussions have shown how seriously they take their responsibilities, how carefully they’ve dissected every piece of advice that they’ve been given.
In moments of exasperations, haven’t we all wondered whether - given that politicians seem to think they’re so expert at running schools - maybe headteachers might instead try their hand at running the country.
It doesn’t seem such a bad idea. Their experiences would make them perfectly suited to the task.
Quietly and unassumingly, many heads have been putting all kinds of measures in place to follow the ever-changing guidance in the updates from the Department for Education (DfE) and Sage. This has been an ideal training ground to develop the right skills for the job of running the country.
Here are some of the ways in which they might do a better job than the current incumbents.
1. Managing a constant rate of change
Heads already have excellent skills in interpreting and applying constantly changing advice, evaluating it for their setting and putting it into practice in a very short space of time. This expertise would be invaluable in managing the dynamic situation the country is in, and - to be blunt - getting things done.
2. Interpreting and using data
Some politicians have been known to struggle with graphs and data, especially in public interviews. But heads are all too accustomed to having the right data at their fingertips for the right purposes.
3. Communicating with the public
Heads have a lot of practice at holding assemblies. So, if the country were to return to nightly briefings, I’m sure they could provide a scintillating delivery of the facts aimed at many levels of ability. Moreover, thanks to online learning, they have honed their media skills, so should be authoritative and clear on broadcasts.
4. Answering awkward questions
It was noticeable that the politicians left to run the briefings sometimes struggled with the demanding questions put by journalists. Their answers were superficial or formulaic, leaving no one much the wiser.
Education is always under scrutiny, and so heads who cut their teeth teaching classes would know exactly how to deliver a silencer or a good explanation. They also chair governors’ and parents’ meetings, so a few journalists shouldn’t be an issue.
5. Managing the public message
So many heads are constantly managing the school’s public face, and can be seen passing on positive messages on a scale to rival even the most garrulous of political leaders.
Moreover, they check external documents and can be expected to ensure that everything is water-tight to avoid messy leaks.
6. Managing tight budgets
Financial management is the stock-in-trade of all heads who keep a very close eye on school expenditure, both tactically and strategically. They know how to make a little go a long way and then some - it’s a crucial ability developed over many years of austerity.
In our current recessionary state, what capable hands the country’s finances would be in if the heads were to take over.
7. Assessing bids from suppliers
Again, who better to oversee the process of securing the right equipment and ensuring that it is delivered to the right place in the most timely fashion possible?
School leaders are adept at moving resources around and making important decisions. So no doubt they could have a significant impact on resourcing at a national level.
8. Running a 24-hour service (or almost)
One of the problems for MPs with young children is affordable flexible childcare. Schools have become excellent providers, with breakfast clubs and lunchtime and afterschool activities.
And, if late-night sittings are needed, I’m sure heads could sort something out - after all, they have been managing the other waking 12 hours of the day most effectively.
I can see the role of an MP becoming more alluring, as the obstacles to advancement seem to diminish at the stroke of the headteacher’s pen.
9. Managing meetings
Managing meetings is a never-ending task for school leaders, so they would be excellent at time-management and getting things done.
If they were left to run the country, surely the profile of heads and schools would improve considerably. Far from appearing work-shy and recalcitrant, they will have sorted out a whole range of problems and could probably retire to their constituency, to undertake the pastoral care of local constituents.
After all, if there’s one thing heads have learned, it’s how to support their local communities in the greatest national emergency we have encountered this millennium.
Yvonne Williams is head of English and drama in a secondary school in the South of England. She has contributed chapters on workload and wellbeing to Mentoring English Teachers in the Secondary School, edited by Debbie Hickman (Routledge)
