September 2011

The know zone

• On the level
  However unpopular or culpable an employee seems to be, any dismissal process against them has to be just and impartial, says Richard Bird, even one instigated by the secretary of state. More
• Nobody's fool
  Now you've budgeted for your staff, make sure you get value for money in whatever you ask them to do, says Sam Ellis. There's no easy way to do this, but an online tool may help. More
• Lead vocals
  Quotes from Albert Einstein, Socrates, Bill Cosby and Confuscious More
• The guv'nor
  Philip Capper was named school governor of the year at last year's UK Teaching Awards. He is chair of governors at Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn, Wales. He recently retired from his full-time job in the offshore fishing industry. More
• b-live to work
  The b-live Foundation was set up six years ago to help and inspire young people to make informed career choices through partnerships with schools, employers and other organisations. More than 230,000 students are currently being supported. More
• Adding value
  Getting the best from staff More
• Examination thoughts
  From September 2012, external exams for GCSE will be done at the end of the course so there will be no modular exams part-way through. Is this a good move? And if changes are to be made to GCSE, are there others that would be more effective in improving them? School leader s share their views. More
• Leaders' surgery
  Commanding performance, Don't know much about biology... More
• Ever-shifting pension debate
  Held just two weeks before the teacher unions' one-day strike on pensions, the June Council meeting was dominated by this topic and debate over how ASCL should proceed. More
• Answering the right questions
  The shocking events in England's cities – and the involvement of young people in them – underline the need for the profession to seize the debate about the purpose of education, says Brian Lightman. More
• Stick to the plan
  Nigel Poole presents his 20 top tips to becoming a valued, respected, hard-working, cheerful, credible, versatile and all-round impressive leader. More