CPE News

The recent Excellence in Education Lecture given by the ex-Coventry Head Teacher, David Kershaw (CBE), currently a councillor and advisor on School Improvement Strategies, certainly provided some informative and stimulating insight into current developments in this area. David spoke passionately and honestly about the current concerns and challenges regarding the number of schools, particularly Secondary schools, falling into the category of ‘Inadequate’ or ‘Requiring Improvement’. He outlined some of the strategies being initiated by the Coventry LA to address these issues. It was heartening to hear of the successes in improving pupils’ experience and progress through, for example, the sharing and intervention of strong leadership and the dramatic impact of utilising effective, caring and ‘outstanding teachers’ in previously failing contexts. It was evident that he and his colleagues had, in some instances, had a significant influence on governmental interventions to improve school leadership. It was also pleasing to hear that the opportunity for David to contribute to the series of lectures on Excellence in Education had heightened his awareness of the potential of further partnership with the CPE.

Steve Robinson, Georgina Newton