How important is the head of a school?

[southernsoftie]

We recently went to the open day of a possible school for the dcs. The children who showed us round were fab: polite, articulate, and enthusiastic. I want my dcs to be like that when they grow up! We also liked the teachers that we met. Only real reservations were a lack of emphasis on academics (school has only recently expanded from up to 13 to GCSEs so no track record on results)and the head who seemed to be on a different planet, very old-fashioned.

So, mnetters, how much does the head matter? And can a bright child do well at a non-selective school rather than one that goes all-out for the league tables?

To me it was quite important when I chose a primary school that the headteacher was someone approchable I could turn to in case of worries regarding Dcs.

I think that the head of a school is vital. He sets the tone and direction for the school. If you are concerned then listen to that concern.

A good head techer can transform a school simply by the expectations that he sets of both pupils and teachers. Whereas an disinterested, arrogant or smug head will end with with some of the teachers emulating them.

Are you looking at the school for primary or secondary?

A huge amount. IME I'd even say that it was the most important factor. A HT can make or break a school.

But that is not to say that a head 'on a different planet, very old-fashioned' isn't a good one.

And to your second question, I hope so, and I think so. The non-selective element isn't anything like as important as a good head and staff.

Very. A dynamic head teacher has completely turned around our local school in the last 3 years. It's gone from being a place with low staff and student morale and an average Ofsted report to being Oftsed 'outstanding' and a place that feels warm, happy and productive as soon as you step inside the gates. The head had a vision and was able to get everyone on board - teachers, parents, governors. That counts for a lot in my opinion.

It's very helpful to have a good relationship with the school including the head, but it's not the be all and end all.

If the children are Happy and you like the teachers, you are likey to get a good education for DC's.
Happy children learn much better than stressed ones.

It's crucial. Far more important than selectivity. A good head will improve the results anyway.

Hugely important. I have two DC at a school with a brilliant head, one with an ineffective head. BIG difference.

funny thing I am happy with the probable school where dd will be starting in September,pretty much everything about it is very good, but I did not like the head at all
although I felt it was more of a personal thing rather than her ability to do the job

sfxmum - oh I don't like the head mistress of DS#1's secondary school in the sense that I suspect we have nothing much in common. But she is without a doubt an excellent head. And that is what matters.

I think it especially makes a difference for younger teachers as they learn so much on the job.

A good teacher will ensure that each individual child is motivated (as far as is possible given all the constraints!). So I would prefer a non-selective school with a good head, than a selective school with a poor one.

Absolutely vital. She/he sets the tone for the school. Having had two experiences with crap Heads of School I feel very strongly about this.

Wrt to non-selective schools, my first three dc went to non-slective schools (that's all there is in Scotland, state-wise) and have done well.

Some people would suggest that having a strong head is the most important thing. I disagree. I have experience of a strong but very unsympathetic and unapproachable head, and a couple of more self-effacing (but perfectly capable heads); I know which I prefer. A strong leader is good if he/she leads the school in the right direction.

Very very important.

A good head teacher sets the tone of the school. However, to be truely effective he/she needs a good set of supportive Governors behnd them.

A good head is far more important than league tables positions.

Yes the head matters. Alot! As others have said he sets the tone.

And also YES a bright child can certainly do well at a non selective school. I went to a state comp and we had a good number go the Oxbridge route. I got a 2:1 degree from Exeter Uni. All my friends got 3 or 4 good A-levels (ie C and above). I got 2 A's and a C, my Science buddy got 4 A's. There were a significant number who got 3 A's.

Not sure what you mean by old-fashioned, or whether that is bad, but a Head who has thre respect of the staff and the children is a good Head, IMO.

DS's Head has turned the school around in the last 7 years from a sink school to a lovely school, where ds is thriving. He was deputy head of another local school and it was noticeable how that school went downhill after he left

If he is a good person, FallenMadonna. Dd's former head bullied his staff to the extent where teachers were afraid to go and see him about a problem and never complained about anything (dd's teacher asked me to talk to him "because I'd rather not"). Fear is not the same as respect. And if you daren't complain about a genuine problem (like a disabled child missing out on lessons), then that IMO is respect taken too far.

absoluitely crucial

Absolutely vital. There is nothing more important to children, staff and parents.

I'm not confusing them cory. I quite clearly said respect, not fear.

I was just wondering what the OP meant by olf fashioned is all.

Our local state school was fab 10 years ago. Then the head retired. The new head couldn't cope with what was a medium sized village school with mostly enthusiastic parents. Within two years the school was in special measures. Now it has been through 5 heads and is slowly improving. I had always assumed that if I had dc they would go there. Absolutely no way now and I know someone who has just removed their dc who only started in Jan. When I did the school visit the then head (in the post 2 yrs when I visited) didn't know the names of the two year 6 children showing me round.

Contrast school I chose for ds. Head knew names of all new children within 2 weeks. She had the personalities sussed by October half term. School same size as our local state school. The head is truly inspirational. She is firm but fair and commands respect. Everything the school is is how she has made it. A good head is the foundation of a good school.

I have had experience of several Headteachers, both mediocre and excellent, and can vouch for the difference that they make. As others have said, their appearance or disappearance is soon noticed (as I found to my cost when, new to this game, I chose a school based on a previous Head's reputation)
One of my favourite Heads also appeared to be on a 'different planet, very old-fashioned' but he was a very smart cookie who made running an excellent school look like child's play.

Of course you are right, FallenMadonna. True respect is different from fear. It just bugged me that this head got so much praise for his firm leadership in the Ofsted report when I knew perfectly well that firm was code for bullying. So a parent reading that would naturally think that this was a genuinely respected head.