ISA chair's message: Celebrate headship in environment of choice:

10 May 2007

The chairman of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) today called for a celebration of headship.  Joan Mumby, headmistress of Dodderhill School in Worcestershire, was addressing the association at its annual conference in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

As chairman of ISA, Mrs Mumby focused on three areas which she passionately believes are central to education: choice, education for life and partnership with parents.

Addressing the conference today, she said: "In reality, a personal style of education is what matters to parents. This style, so often found in smaller schools, is the hallmark of ISA."

Mrs Mumby continued by stressing that the choice offered by independent schools means the heads and teaching staff can concentrate on what actually matters - equipping children with the knowledge and skills to be active, responsible citizens in the true sense of the word. She finished her speech by concluding that head teachers need to play their part in ensuring that all pupils have the best possible start, thereby properly rewarding parents' faith in their schools.

For a full transcript of the speech or for further information, please contact Alex Caish, Head of Press, Independent Schools Council 0207 766 7060.

 

Notes to editors:

ISA

ISA was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest of the independent school Heads' organisations. It exists to provide professional support to headteachers and opportunities to their staff, and to

offer a wide range of sporting and cultural activities to pupils in around 300 schools.  ISA schools educate approximately 70,000 girls and boys.

Joan Mumby
Joan Mumby was educated at Bankhead Academy, Aberdeen before reading foreign languages at Strathclyde University and taking a Diploma in Education and a PGCE at Aberdeen University.  Joan served four years with the WRAC, permanently attached to the Royal Army Educational Corps and working in army education centres in Britain and Germany.  Joan first taught at Clwyd CC, North Wales, where she was promoted to head of department and later to assistant head. She joined the independent sector in 1992 at Rydal School, moving to the newly created Rydal Penrhos in 1998

Joan was elected to the Executive Council of ISA in 2002, and has been chairman of the Professional Development Committee since January 2004. Joan is married with two children. She enjoys travelling, golf and the theatre.

Dodderhill School
Originally a separate junior and senior school located six miles apart, Dodderhill is now a thriving through school with its own Ofsted registered 33 place day nursery with a reputation for excellence in the creative arts and close links with the local community.