Your views scotletters@tesglobal.com

3rd July 2015, 1:00am

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Your views scotletters@tesglobal.com

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/your-views-scotletterstesglobalcom-7

Let’s encourage would-be heads, not put them off

School leaders’ body the AHDS is positive about the “Into Headship” qualification and the planned extended induction for new headteachers. Clearly there is more to being a good headteacher than having a certificate, but we believe that the combination of quality pre- and post-appointment training will lead to heads who are better prepared for the challenges of the role. Indeed, these developments have the potential to encourage more people to take the path to leadership if they feel that candidates are valued and supported.

However, applications for headship are at an all-time low. In the primary sector, the number of new headteachers required each year is substantial but the financial incentive to take on the job is often close to non-existent. If the financial rewards currently on offer fail to attract sufficient candidates, how many more will be put off by the burden of study and the requirement to pay pound;1,000 towards it?

If we are serious about enhancing the quality of school leadership then we need to take hurdles away, not add more. We need a rethink on charging candidates to undertake this new qualification. Alongside that, we need action to ensure that clear financial incentives are in place to encourage teachers to aspire to headship.

Greg Dempster

General secretary of the

school leaders’ body AHDS

Short and tweet

My fourth years are proposing to name the 314-sided regular polygon the Chrissmithagon. #FunNamesForPolygons

@aap03102 [aka Chris Smith]

Give a kid a grade and the learning stops. Give a kid specific feedback and extending questions, and the learning goes deeper. #edchat

@justintarte

Sporting clothing or equipment that is no longer being worn or used is being collected for Malawi. Buckets in the PE department.

@GWC_News

Pupils who are house captains should bring their blazers to the school office to be sent off to be braided ASAP.

@balfronhigh

[Calling them] part-time students is unfair - they do double time, says @PeterHorrocks1. They’re working jobs and raising their families, too.

@CHavergalTHE

Tomorrow the Primary 7s will perform their final assembly. Children of all classes can come dressed for the Oscars if they wish.

@WestquarterPrim

There will be obstacles, there will be doubters and there will be mistakes. But with hard work there are no limits. #positivity

@3terrismith

The strongest people aren’t always the ones who win, but the ones who don’t give up when they lose. #leadership #InspiredPeople

@Jeremy_Kingsley

Letters for publication in TESS should arrive by 10am Monday. Send your letters, ideally of no more than 250 words in length, including contact address and phone number, by email to scotletters@tesglobal.com. Letters may be edited

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