May 2013

The know zone

  • Positively inspirational
    ASCL Annual Conference 2013 More
  • Policy excess
    Schools often believe that the preponderance of policies and procedures they have in place will protect them when things go wrong. But as Richard Bird discovers, this is not necessarily so... More
  • A sting in the tail
    The Department for Education’s (DfE’s) universal funding formula is too simplistic and at odds with its efforts to create a fair system, says Sam Ellis. And some schools will suffer as a result. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Erica Jong, François Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Benjamin Franklin, Lemony Snicket and Bede Jarrett More
  • Aim Higher
    Carol Holmes is an assistant headteacher and is the director of teaching and learning at Westhoughton High School in Bolton. She was a recipient of one the University of Oxford Inspirational Teachers Awards last year in recognition of helping a student secure a place at Christ Church College. More
  • Tricky Waters...
    The issue of whether or not to pay governors was raised again recently by Sir Michael Wilshaw. Would paying governors enhance the calibre of people who apply? Here leaders share their views. More
  • The perfect match
    Register & Be A Lifesaver (R&Be) is an education programme run by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). More
  • Adding value
    ASCL premier partner, SIMS wants to support schools to get the most out of their Student Information Management System (SIMS) software, to ensure that the software is making a difference to pupil progress and outcomes. More
  • It’s good to talk...
    In his speech to ASCL's Annual Conference, Brian Lightman invited anyone with an interest in education to take part in a Great Debate about its future. Here, he explains the rationale for this ambitious undertaking. More
  • Leader's Surgery
    The antidote to common leadership conundrums… More
  • Voyage into the unknown
    Grievances and resignations, endless meetings and time management issues… and what to buy colleagues in the ’Secret Santa’. These are all trials and tribulations to be faced by the new head. More
  • Searching for answers
    With the long-awaited proposals for the National Curriculum finally published in February, that and changes to qualifications dominated the discussion in the plenary sessions at February’s Council meeting. More
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Carol Holmes is an assistant headteacher and is the director of teaching and learning at Westhoughton High School in Bolton. She was a recipient of one the University of Oxford Inspirational Teachers Awards last year in recognition of helping a student secure a place at Christ Church College.

Aim Higher

Congratulations on the award...
It’s an incredible honour and reflects not only seven years of work with one particular student but also all the care put into all the students by all the staff here. We focus on relentlessly challenging perceptions about going to university; in our community, there’s a lot of “it’s not for me”, “I’ll end up with huge debts and no job” and “it’s only for posh people”.

Tell us about your successful Oxford student
He was actually very shy in class but the drama department built up his confidence through performance. We took his sixth-form group to Leeds and Lancaster to compare universities and, as part of a four-school cluster, took him to an Oxford open day and practised mock interviews with him. He was just our second student to go to Oxbridge.

Why do you feel many capable students are put off applying for Oxbridge?
I think the press doesn’t help; there were reports recently, for example, about a young man barred from a post-graduate course because he could not show up front that he had the funding. There’s obviously a huge difference between undergraduate and post-graduate study but the press sometimes doesn’t make that distinction. At undergraduate level, I’ve not seen any evidence that a lack of funding is a barrier for a capable student. It’s obviously an elitist system but it’s an academic elite. Students from Oxford come to talk to us and they’re very down-to-earth young people who make it clear it’s not a place for just the high-and-mighty. Intellect is the key, not your social background.

But changes are afoot at your school, aren’t they?
Yes, we now have to end our post-16 provision. It’s partly to do with funding changes and partly to do with a new town centre college opening nearby. Our Year 13 students are the last cohort and we’re going to be an 11-16 community school.

Talking of media controversies, how was your decade as an AQA A level history examiner?
Having seen the process from the inside, I find it incredible that any criticisms can be made. But, when marking a paper, I could see that – within a grade A – there were excellent, hard-working and conscientious answers and then there were truly exceptional answers… and there is a difference. Independence of thought and judgement are rare qualities and you shouldn’t have to have that depth of exceptional talent to secure a high grade.

How did your life change three years ago?
My son was diagnosed with a serious illness – a craniopharyngioma, that is, a type of benign brain tumour. He’s making excellent progress now but it made us re-evaluate our careers and options as a family and my husband now works part-time. I’ve another 26 years before I supposedly reach state retirement age; that’s plenty of time for headship, should I want to do it.

  • Interview by John Holt

Pro.file

Do you know an ASCL member with an unusual story, interesting background or exceptional achievement to share? If you’d like to recommend someone else or yourself to appear in a future profi le, email leader@ascl.org.uk

Carol Holmes

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