The
Conversation: Leaving at the top
June 6, 2008
Anne
Clarke hit the headlines when she advertised in Private Eye
for sponsors to help her school become a technology
college. Today it is thriving and she is set to retire. She
tells Victoria Neumark why she is going
Q: You once put an advertisement in Private Eye. What
happened next?
A: The early summer of 2001 was miserable. Comprehensives
were struggling for resources. I was clear that the way
forward was to get specialist technology status. We bid
twice, but failed. We were told our plan did not involve
the wider community sufficiently. Our original sponsor, who
had stood by us for 18 months, withdrew. I hoped an ad in
Private Eye could attract an entrepreneur willing to donate
£50,000: "a firm believer in state education" to sponsor
"an entrepreneurial state head to develop her school as a
centre of excellence", as I said in the ad.
The initial response was pretty feeble: about 12 replies.
None were any good. But then it snowballed. The TES ran an
article headlined "Head advertises for a sugar daddy". We
got coverage in national and local press, as well as an
appearance on the BBC's Look North. And we did get our
£50,000, from a host of local businesses (listed on
www.bentonpark.org.uk). Since then, we've gone from
strength to strength.
Q: Why leave now, when things are going so well?
A: I want to stop before anyone says I'm just hanging on.
I'm going while I'm still full of energy and can have
another part-time career, tutoring on the new headship
qualification.
I came to the school with a list and we've got all the
badges. We are in the Specialist Schools and Academies
Trust, we are a technology college, we've got Artsmark
Gold, Sportsmark, Charter Mark, Inclusion Charter Mark,
Investors in People, and are a Healthy School. Our GCSE
results last year were 70 per cent five A*-C grades, 61 per
cent including maths and English - the best ever. I'm
thrilled with our international links: we've won the
International Schools Award.
I've been in schools for 31 years. It'll be nice not to
have long days.
Q: How did it all begin?
A: I was working in Bristol for ICI. I had to do what I was
told, while three friends who were teachers had autonomy
and responsibility. I thought: "That's what I want to do."
I loved it from day one. I would not have changed it for
anything. It was quite unusual in the 1970s to change
career. My family were surprised, but they supported me.
My first teaching practice was in a tough school and I
think I tried to teach the entire Industrial Revolution in
an hour, but I sat there afterwards thinking, "This is it."
And, honestly, it's been a ball.
Q: How has it changed?
A: The children have changed. Society has changed, of
course: there's more family break-up, and that does come
into school. But the pupils have changed. It's a
negotiating generation now. They won't accept anything just
because you tell them. I think it's a good thing. They are
so mature: we emphasise student voice and we give them
responsibility, and they take it really seriously. They are
on staff interviewing panels and ask good questions.
But there are a lot of distractions. Nowadays homework has
to compete with a lot of living. We learned to cope with
being bored, but these days teachers have to make education
lively to keep pupils engaged.
Q: What have been the highlights?
A: The pupils are your highlights, of course. There's
nothing nicer than their achievements. I've also worked
with many talented and loyal colleagues. Beyond that, I've
been on television several times; I've met Tony and Cherie
Blair; the school hosted Question Time, with John Sentamu,
the Archbishop of York, and David Blunkett; and I've seen
David Miliband, an old boy of the school, come back to give
prizes.
More importantly, though, I have seen this school grow and
develop. It's a better teaching and learning environment.
There used to be awful portable classrooms. Now we have a
sports hall, new classrooms, ICT suites, a performing arts
block and, soon, an interactive whiteboard in every
classroom. And when the pupils get their exam results, you
know you've made a contribution to their future.
Q: What would you say to someone just starting out in
teaching?
A: It's hard work, but the more you put in, the more you
get out. You plan a good lesson and if it works, pupils
progress. When you work with young people, you get instant
feedback. They thank you and walk away and you feel good.
We have to reflect changes and the negotiating culture. But
don't lose that bottom line of good classroom management.
Establish boundaries. Shouting and screaming never works:
the respect is gone. It's not about being liked; it's about
respect; about making them feel safe, and that you are in
charge and value them. Don't go for accolades; earn
respect. Make a contribution.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Anne Clarke
Age: 56
Job: Headteacher, Benton Park School, Leeds (since 1997)
Years in teaching: 31
Education: BA (Hons) history and modern languages from
Queen Mary College and Institute of Linguists, London,
1974; RSA business with languages from Chiswick
Polytechnic, 1975; PGCE modern languages and history from
Crewe and Alsager College, Cheshire, 1976; MA in
educational management from University of Surrey, 1992.
Career: Paints distribution, ICI, 1975; French teacher,
Canons High, Harrow, 1977; languages teacher, head of year,
careers, Orleans Park School, Richmond, 1978-88; senior
teacher (pastoral), Stanley Park High, Carshalton, Surrey,
1988-89; deputy head, Beacon School, Banstead, Surrey,
1989-1991; headteacher, Coombe Girls' School, Kingston,
1991-1997
Interests:
walking the Yorkshire Dales, opera, architecture, cinema.
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