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Press Release

STATEMENT ON REPORT BY COMMONS PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

17 October 2006

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has commented on the report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee, Improving poorly performing schools in England.

Commenting on the Committee’s findings on ‘poorly performing schools’, a PAT spokesperson said: “These figures paint an unduly negative picture of the current state of our schools.

“Scaremongering like this is very demoralising. Teachers, head teachers and support staff are working very hard to raise standards, sometimes in difficult circumstances, and most are doing an excellent job.

“We would like to see more recognition of schools’ achievements and greater investment in those schools that are facing difficulties and challenges.

“The Committee’s recognition that ‘it is increasingly difficult for schools needing a new head teacher to attract suitable candidates’ and that more must be done ‘to make head teacher posts attractive’ is welcome.

“A plethora of initiatives has increased the workload of school leaders significantly, making headship an unattractive career option for many teachers. There should be a refocusing of the role of school leaders.

“PAT is concerned about the quantity of initiatives that schools are being asked to implement and the short timescales for implementation. Those driving change do not really seem to understand the pressures on those required to implement it.”



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