Toby Mullins, Chairman of the Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS) has today addressed the association at its annual conference in Berkshire.
A rousing call for the independent sector to work with the Government to help educate the disadvantaged, the less able and children in care were among a package of proposals put forward by the headmaster of Seaford College, West Sussex, alongside a plea to his members to take an active role in shaping the educational climate for the next decade.
On the issue of the regulatory framework for inspection and creeping legislation, Mr Mullins said:
"The Independent Sector needs to carry on negotiating with the Government wherever our effectiveness is challenged. But the sector must be careful not to appear arrogant and whingeing. We must work with the government to find opportunities for mutual gain. We need to bring solutions, not problems" Mr Mullins said.
Turning to focus on the quality offered by an independent education, Mr Mullins identified four main areas in which it is especially visible: care, community, curriculum and competition. He told members it is in SHMIS schools that these all combine to create a fifth 'C' more vital in a pupil's success: confidence. "Be all that you can be," (the theme of Mr Mullins' conference) "summarises, quite succinctly, what we would wish for all our students, and we all make sure that we provide the environment where they can rise to that challenge."
Speaking at the 49th annual conference of SHMIS, Mr Mullins talked about the advantages of smaller class sizes. "The bigger the year groups and the bigger the class sizes, the more the positive effect of a good teacher becomes diluted," he said. On the subject of league tables, he then objected to "teachers teaching to the exams, a lack of wider focus and soft skills, rising percentages but falling standards driven by the desire to get more A grades and not to educate."
Mr Mullins concluded by reminding Heads they should take pride in their diverse and specialist successes, but called on them to widen the scope of their charitable giving and look for new opportunities. Taking up the reins of the Pathfinder scheme proposed a few years ago, Mr Mullins said: "A few children placed in each of our schools would benefit both the child and the Local Authority for whom our boarding fees would represent a huge saving on care costs. The scheme was, and is, a good idea; we must not let it fail because it gets wound up in red tape."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Toby Mullins
Toby is married with two sons, and his wife works as his PA at Seaford. Toby is a keen sportsman, coaching Hockey teams at National League and International level. Toby is a member of the Advisory Board of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and is chairman of the SHMIS Education Committee.
SHMIS
The Society is an Association of Headmasters and Headmistresses of just over 100 well-established Independent schools. It is one of the constituent associations of the Independent Schools Council. SHMIS was formed in 1961 when a group of Heads decided they needed a forum in which to share ideas and experience. Since then the Society has grown substantially in size, reputation and effectiveness. SHMIS now represents schools of all sizes throughout the country with a couple of valued overseas members. Many SHMIS schools have a boarding tradition; a number are at the leading edge of education in music, dance and the arts; and several are well-known for their effective support for those with learning difficulties. Care for the individual child is at the heart of all SHMIS schools and the Society itself provides a supportive network for its member Heads.
SHMIS Annual Conference 2010
The three-day SHMIS conference is taking place at Wokefield Park Hotel, near Reading, Berkshire. For further information, or for a copy of the conference agenda, please contact: Alex Beynon, Head of Press ISC, alex.beynon@isc.co.uk / 0207 766 7060 / 07825 806017.