Taking ControlWorking with the Leadership Team

Gloucestershire Governors AGM9th June 2008

Mick BrookesGeneral Secretary

Where Trust is an Issue Adapted from ‘The Speed of Trust’ - Covey

Organisational Personal

Aggressive top down controlIntense micromanagementEnforced complianceNegative/demeaning languageExcessive bureaucracy

Which leads to …Dysfunctional environment and toxic cultureHigh absenceAn unhappy workforce

Dysfunctional relationships

Hot angry confrontation or cold withdrawal

Energy draining interactions

Division into enemies or allies

Hidden agendas

Control Mechanics

A compliance culture Mechanised assessment Hyper accountabilityLeads to: High work related distress An inversion of social justice Migration Poor recruitment

Building a Better Future

The school community must design positive systems and structures:

Accountability systems that are honest and positive Assessment systems that draw on the professional

capital of the school workforce Community involvement that is both appropriate and

supportive A curriculum that engages and motivates Empowered leadership

The Leadership Journey

Dependence Independence

Compliance Commitment

Isolation Collaboration

Leaving Staying

Poisoned chalice Elixir of life!

NAHT ResearchUniversity of Central LancasterInspection

Gave authority to school leadership Too much variation in the quality of teams Too much reliance on CVA data Has a negative effect on retention Has a negative effect on recruitment

Governors and parents

“ Let our schools move away from their domination by tests and let governing bodies preside over schools where pupils really ENJOY and achieve and where teachers are allowed to use their professional judgement in assessing progress without the mechanistic approach thrust on them by unimaginative bureaucrats.”

Judith Bennett NGA

“….although a recent survey indicates that many parents (67%) want to know how their children are progressing, they do not want their children to be taught to take tests.”

David Butler NCPTA

What’s Next?

Rarely cover Upper pay-scale Diplomas The Masters Degree Early Years Developing system leadership The Childrens’ Plan On-line reporting No Notice inspections (pilot)

Funding Settlement 2008 – 2011DSG 08-09 09-10 10-11

Inflationary Cost Pressures 3.1% 3.1% 3.1%

Efficiency savings 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%

MFG 2.1% 2.1% 2.1%

LA headroom 1.0% 0.8% 0.8%

Basic increase 3.1% 2.9% 2.9% (5.0%)

Ministerial priorities 1.5% 0.9% 1.4% (1.7%)

DSG increase 4.6% 3.8% 4.3% (6.7%)

STRB Award 2.45% 2.3% 2.3%

Expenditure

Cost pressures: Rising energy prices Single status agreement The diploma MFL in primary schools Extended early years offer Breach of pay settlement IT development

Renewal

Things that make you laugh Things that make you cry The unexpected gift Making time for yourself Making time for those you care for A sense of progress