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I have nothing against the idea of another secondary in principle - Norwich is not well-served by popular, high achieving comprehensives - but the suggestion that year 7 and 8 will be taught for most subjects by a single class teacher is a big mistake. It works ok at primary level, but I would want my children taught history (for example) by a history graduate specialist at secondary age, because they will be best placed to stretch and challenge them. Anyone can read up a few pages ahead in any text book, but that is not a model of the best provision, and it is a bit patronising to think that year 7 and 8 students are not worthy of more specialised teaching. Of course, providing subject specialists costs more money and in a small school this is not always viable, hence her plan, but educationally it is soft and unambitious and will not give the pupils the best foundation in those subject areas for future exam courses: no teacher can be strong in all of them and even if a few will be taught separately, that still leaves a lot for one person to deliver. One wonders if there are good reasons why primary school heads tend not to try to run secondary schools - and vice versa. Plus this 'class teacher' set up will continue the feel of being at a primary school - great in terms of a caring community you might think, but not so good in helping pupils grow up and become more independent and responsible.
a fine city
Tuesday, February 19, 2013