Every School Leader Matters

Released 03/07/2008

Strengthening the role of schools in local services is good, but where are the business managers? By Suzannah Wright

Ed Balls announced plans today to ‘strengthen and broaden Children's Trusts', making sure that schools became a pivotal part of local services for children.

I'm in total agreement with the spirit of the announcement - that schools should be involved with other services to make sure we are taking a holistic view of improving children's lives, and that changes should be led from a local level. But there was something which slightly annoyed me about the announcement.

In an article discussing the plans and the need to develop Children's Trusts, Balls wrote: "I don't want heads wasting time on bureaucracy any more than I want them becoming part-time police officers or social workers. But I know the vast majority of heads will welcome with open arms the chance to add their insight and experience draw in the support they need and get the very best for their pupils."

No mention here of the invaluable role other school leaders can play in this agenda. I know that many of you are already heavily involved with ECM in your school, and are in an ideal position to manage relationships with other services or lead input into Children's Trusts.

The article does mention that the government will be consulting on these plans, though I can't find details of the consultation on the DCSF website. But rest assured that if I do we'll pass them on, and please take the chance to make your voices heard so that the government learns that every school leader matters.

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