Teachers benefit from conference

THE head teachers of almost all the island's secondary schools have been learning from four key figures from the National Secondary Heads Association. President Tim Andrew led a conference to discuss implications of changes to external examinations and more broadly about how the education system could be developed.

'School leaders face the same challenges everywhere you go, from providing the best quality teaching to getting the most out of their pupils and, in turn, achieving the best exam results,' said Mr Andrew.

Twenty local members including head and deputy head teachers and other education professionals attended the workshop.

'Rather than providing new methods that the teachers could take into their classrooms on Monday, the conference was more about reflecting on the long-term development of our education system.'

Blanchelande principal and SHA Guernsey chairman Lesley Le Page said it was a thoroughly worthwhile educational experience for everyone involved.

Mr Andrew discussed how the government restructure of national exams was far less thorough than the association had hoped, but overviewed the practical implications of the changes to the education system.

The morning involved tutorials by former head teacher and association secretary Dr John Dunford and John Berkley, who has worked for several years in training and skills development in the engineering industry.

'The leadership role of head teachers is crucial to the successful development of any school and it is very useful to exchange ideas and learn from the experience of others,' said Mr Andrew.

'Dr Dunford was a highly respected and successful head teacher while Mr Berkley has a wealth of experience of how to get the most out of people.'

In the afternoon the teachers attended an additional tutorial in leadership led by Professor John West-Vernon from the National College of School Leadership.

The SHA is one of the major national teacher associations representing more than 12,000 head teachers, principals and senior teachers in more than 4,300 schools.

'We represent the interests of school leaders in terms of lobbying the government on their behalf and advise them on how best to develop.'

Dr Dunford is a frequent commentator for the national media on education matters.

Mr Andrew has taken a year's sabbatical from his role as head teacher at Chesham High School in Buckinghamshire to lead the association.

His position involves representing the association as a government consultant advising policy and visiting regions across the UK and Europe conducting similar conferences.

It was his first visit to Guernsey and he deliberately booked his return flight late this afternoon to make the most of the short stay.

'From what I have seen of St Peter Port it is a beautifully picturesque and unique seaside town.'

He said every British high street looked the same, dominated by national chain stores, but Guernsey escaped this monotony and he hoped it stayed that way.

'It is like going back to a town of my childhood.'

He said he was made very welcome by the local members and thoroughly enjoyed his visit.