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More than half of secondary heads 'consider quitting' More than half of secondary heads 'consider quitting'
(about 3 hours later)
Over half of secondary heads are considering quitting because of "toxic" government rhetoric, a survey suggests.Over half of secondary heads are considering quitting because of "toxic" government rhetoric, a survey suggests.
The Association of School and College Leaders blamed a barrage of unfounded criticism for low morale, as its annual conference begins in Birmingham.The Association of School and College Leaders blamed a barrage of unfounded criticism for low morale, as its annual conference begins in Birmingham.
ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said heads felt angry, frustrated and on the verge of being bullied.ASCL general secretary Brian Lightman said heads felt angry, frustrated and on the verge of being bullied.
A government spokesman said it wanted to work with head teachers to achieve a world class education system.A government spokesman said it wanted to work with head teachers to achieve a world class education system.
The survey also showed more than 60% of the heads questioned felt government policies were having a detrimental effect on their pupils' education.The survey also showed more than 60% of the heads questioned felt government policies were having a detrimental effect on their pupils' education.
Around nine out of 10 said they thought the government did not recognise the work they did and was not supportive of the teaching profession.Around nine out of 10 said they thought the government did not recognise the work they did and was not supportive of the teaching profession.
A new lowA new low
More than 1,800 secondary school leaders, including 1,000 head teachers, took part in the survey for ASCL and the Times Educational Supplement (TES).More than 1,800 secondary school leaders, including 1,000 head teachers, took part in the survey for ASCL and the Times Educational Supplement (TES).
The union said the figures showed morale amongst secondary school leaders had reached a new low, with half of those surveyed saying they would not recommend headship to a colleague.The union said the figures showed morale amongst secondary school leaders had reached a new low, with half of those surveyed saying they would not recommend headship to a colleague.
More than a third were actively looking to quit now, it added.More than a third were actively looking to quit now, it added.
And more than three quarters of deputy and assistant heads said they were less likely to go for headship than they were a year ago.And more than three quarters of deputy and assistant heads said they were less likely to go for headship than they were a year ago.
Mr Lightman said ASCL's members were professionals who were absolutely committed but could only take so much of what he called "toxic rhetoric".Mr Lightman said ASCL's members were professionals who were absolutely committed but could only take so much of what he called "toxic rhetoric".
He added: "They want to work with the government to continue to improve standards but instead they are being treated as part of the problem.He added: "They want to work with the government to continue to improve standards but instead they are being treated as part of the problem.
"The government has cherry-picked international statistics, made sweeping generalisations and painted a caricature of schools as failing in order to justify its policy decisions. This must stop.""The government has cherry-picked international statistics, made sweeping generalisations and painted a caricature of schools as failing in order to justify its policy decisions. This must stop."
'Skills vital''Skills vital'
A spokesman for the Department for Education said it could not ignore concerns about standards.A spokesman for the Department for Education said it could not ignore concerns about standards.
"We have slipped down the international performance tables and we must rectify this."We have slipped down the international performance tables and we must rectify this.
"We know that the vast majority of heads are doing a good job, often in challenging circumstances. We undertaking a major reform programme and their skills and experience are vital.""We know that the vast majority of heads are doing a good job, often in challenging circumstances. We undertaking a major reform programme and their skills and experience are vital."
The spokesman added that government reforms would give heads more control over teaching, pupil development and discipline and less paperwork.The spokesman added that government reforms would give heads more control over teaching, pupil development and discipline and less paperwork.
Commenting on the survey, Gerard Kelly, editor of the TES, said the figures were: "bad, really bad ... for a government that sets such store on competent leaders driving an autonomous system".Commenting on the survey, Gerard Kelly, editor of the TES, said the figures were: "bad, really bad ... for a government that sets such store on competent leaders driving an autonomous system".
Labour's shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg said: "As well as tackling underperformance, we need to celebrate excellent performance. If we don't support this generation of head teachers, there is a real danger they could leave the profession in droves."Labour's shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg said: "As well as tackling underperformance, we need to celebrate excellent performance. If we don't support this generation of head teachers, there is a real danger they could leave the profession in droves."
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