December 2011

The know zone

  • Take note
    Governance, finance, buildings, liabilities, personnel… increased autonomy lays bare a raft of rights and responsibilities that academies can’t ignore, says Richard Bird. More
  • Coining new terms
    Sam Ellis introduces a series of articles designed to help leaders adapt to a world in which curriculum planning is determined by what you can afford, not what you need. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Horace, Napoleon Hill, Maya Angelou, Frank A Clark. More
  • Permanent state of bliss?
    Ross Morrison McGill was made voluntarily redundant from his role as assistant head of an academy in London in August. He hopes to run his own school one day and is currently blogging and fundraising for Bliss, a charity that helps families with prematurely-born children, after his son Freddie was born two months early. More
  • Green is good
    Through its Green Schools Revolution (GSR) community education programme, The Co-operative is encouraging students to work towards a more sustainable future. A range of resources, activities and trips have been devised to engage everyone from young, first-time environmentalists to committed ‘greenagers’. More
  • Adding value
    Data is critical to informing decisions on whole school improvement but many schools and academies are failing to make good use of the powerful tools available in their management information systems (MIS). More
  • LA story: The final cut?
    Do local authorities still have a role to play in education? If so, in what areas? Should they be involved in monitoring and raising standards, take on a more limited role, or have no involvement at all with education? Leaders share their views… More
  • Leaders' surgery
    Terminal exams set to stay in England & Pensions come home to roost More
  • Taking care of business
    While pensions and industrial action were at the forefront of everyone’s mind during the last Council meeting on 13-14 October, there was plenty of other business to attend to. Here is a snapshot of the committee discussions More
  • Trading places
    If the school system becomes polarised between confident high-achieving institutions and ones struggling to overcome major challenges, collaboration will become not just important but essential, says Brian Lightman. Otherwise, the dream of a world-class education system has no hope of becoming a reality. More
  • Sense & sensibility?
    Eric Hester reports a startling DfE development: some leadership teams are being encouraged to deploy discernment, logic and good old-fashioned gumption. More
Bookmark and Share

Ross Morrison McGill was made voluntarily redundant from his role as assistant head of an academy in London in August. He hopes to run his own school one day and is currently blogging and fundraising for Bliss, a charity that helps families with prematurely-born children, after his son Freddie was born two months early.

Permanent state of bliss?

What has the process of redundancy been like?

I’m not altogether sure how schools view it. I’ve been offered a couple of jobs only for the schools to change their minds later; one head came back to me a couple of days after the interviews to tell me his bursar had ruled they couldn’t afford me. At another, I was informally told I’d got the job after a very rigorous application process during which all the candidates observed each other and gave their feedback. It was very brutal; a bit like The Apprentice. Hours later, I received a phone call that said ‘no’. Apparently, other members of staff subsequently disagreed and I was offered a 20-week contract to see how I’d get on.

I can understand it to some extent; I have sat at the other side of the table and wanted to know about people’s work history. The trouble is, of course, that there is often an etiquette you have to follow and “why has someone of your ability been made redundant?” is often the elephant in the room.

How was it being out of work as the new school year began?

It was frustrating looking for work all summer with hardly a sniff of even being shortlisted for most jobs. A totally baffling process; I love teaching and being in the classroom. We have all seen those supply teachers who arrive in school at 8.30am and leave at 3.30pm; too often they’re not up to the job and some of them don’t even like kids. The thought of that pulled at my heart a bit.

Do you now regret seeking the redundancy?

I do and I don’t. The school was becoming an academy and I was excited by the process that was going to give the place a kick up the backside. A couple of years down the line, however, and I felt some autonomy was being lost to the sponsors. I could have applied for one of the new jobs but they weren’t for me. Another factor was being able to stay at home with my son for a little while.

How did your efforts with Bliss begin?

No one seems to tell the parents of premature babies what to expect or what they’re likely to go through. I found a Bliss handbook in a neo-natal unit which explained everything and became our ‘bible’. It explained all the procedures, jargon and the acronyms. Just imagine if you’re not a teacher and someone’s talking to you about PDSE or NQT. You wouldn’t have a clue.

  • 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 profile, email leader@ascl.org.uk


Ross Morrison Mcgill

LEADING READING