February 2011

The know zone

  • Crashing the system
    The difficulties that can ensue when a member of staff will not accept the authority of managers are highlighted in a startling case involving a school and an IT technician, says Richard Bird. More
  • Hotline
    The ASCL hotline is a completely confidential service available to answer members’ questions on issues that arise in school/college. More
  • Shedding pounds
    With the forthcoming pay freeze and funding constraints, there are challenging times ahead for school budgets. Ministers must base their decisions on more than just a diet of anecdotal evidence, says Sam Ellis. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Babe Ruth, Anthony J D'Angelo, Harold Wilson, Samuel Johnson, Albert Einstein. More
  • An eminent role?
    A former geography teacher and a head for nigh on 20 years, Lindsay Roy is MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, a seat he originally won for Labour in a by-election in 2008. He’s a former president of Schools Leaders Scotland (previously Headteachers Association of Scotland) and an executive member of the International Confederation of Principals. More
  • Adding value
    The UK workforce took 180 million sick days in 2009, according to the latest CBI/Pfizer Absence and Workplace Health Survey. That’s the equivalent of 6.4 days per person. More
  • Teach the world
    Education charity Think Global helps schools to examine world poverty, climate change, sustainability and other matters of universal importance. More
  • No such thing as a free lunch?
    The pupil premium is intended to help disadvantaged children but is it the best strategy for raising a achievement and helping to level the funding playing field? School leaders share their views. More
  • Leaders' surgery
    The antidote to common leadership conundrums... More
  • Curriculum focus
    Anyone who expects 2011 to be any less packed with changes to the education system than 2010 is living under an illusion, says Brian Lightman. Where the curriculum is concerned an increasingly polarised debate could have dire consequences for young people. More
  • United we stand...
    EM Forster once urged us to 'only connect' – make connections between experience of life’s emotions and how those around you are suffering too. Rupert Tillyard has devised a quiz to test just how ‘connected’ you are. More
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A former geography teacher and a head for nigh on 20 years, Lindsay Roy is MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, a seat he originally won for Labour in a by-election in 2008. He’s a former president of Schools Leaders Scotland (previously Headteachers Association of Scotland) and an executive member of the International Confederation of Principals.

An eminent role?

Did rowdy classrooms prepare you for the House of Commons?

Prime Minister’s Questions is much worse than any school assembly I’ve ever attended. Youngsters are, by and large, so much more self-disciplined than Members of Parliament. I was always at school by 7am and it’s the same here but I don’t get to my London flat until after 11pm so it’s a longer day in your place of work. Overall, I’d say I have been fortunate in that both careers have enabled me to make a difference in one way or another.

Any other ways in which education paved your way into politics?

ASCL media training was helpful. I remember being asked by a patronising reporter during the by-election if I was disappointed that Labour spin doctors had banned Sarah Brown from talking to the media. I said I’d much rather talk directly to the voters as they’re more important than journalists. I received some criticism in political circles at the time for initially being too candid and straightforward as a candidate.

Any regrets about leaving education?

Had it been a general election, I would not have stood. I was very happy as a head but I did it because it was a high-profile seat and I had been approached by so many people. I decided it was a no-lose situation. If I had not won, I could simply go back to a post I enjoyed greatly. But people were so encouraging; a lady in her 80s at my local church said “Son, why don’t you stand?” I said it had been some time since anyone called me ‘son’.

How are the two roles different?

The irony is that I moved from a profession in the top three in terms of public recognition and esteem to one that was in the bottom three, along with bankers and journalists. But I believe it’s all about perception, as it is with youngsters; they often get a bad press but 95 per cent or more of them are responsible citizens making a contribution. Parliament’s the same; despite all the scandals, the overwhelming majority of members are trustworthy and committed.

In Fife, heads are known as rectors. Any room for confusion?

Sometimes I would get correspondence from England that addressed me as ‘reverend’. On one occasion, someone wrote to me as ‘your eminence’ which is a bit of a step up.

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 profile, email leader@ascl.org.uk

Lindsay Roy

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