Tower and Town, September 2017 (view the full edition)Principal of St John's AcademyThe job of a Headteacher in the 21st century brings with it many challenges and rewards, some of which would be recognised by those who have held the position in centuries past, others are new, even to those of us of with years of experience of modern headship! There is no doubt schools have changed a great deal over the years. Should a headteacher from a century ago visit St John's today, they would be astonished by the wonderful light, airy and well equipped buildings; baffled by the myriad computers and smartboards, and the cashless biometric catering system; and impressed by the quality of resources, smartly dressed pupils and huge range of opportunities available outside the classroom. They would be less surprised by the content of the curriculum, the examination system or the government's influence over what is taught and how it is tested. Although the world has changed so much over the past 100 years, children still learn the three Rs, do grammar exercises and revise for examinations. In fact, over the past couple of years, GCSE and A Level courses have reverted to a more traditional approach, with terminal examinations and little or no coursework. The joys of this job are what they have always been: working with lively young, enquiring minds and seeing them learn and grow with each passing year. The lows are still a sense of disappointment when young people throw away opportunities or fail to fulfil their potential. The pressures on children to succeed academically are possibly greater now than they ever have been, and this may be reflected in the increase in young people suffering from mental illness, anxiety and depression. On the other hand, the opportunities available outside the classroom at St John's are remarkably varied and exciting, and I am often in awe of the talents, commitment and determination our students demonstrate in all areas of school life, from art, drama and music to sport, technology and languages. I have always believed that education is about building character as much as about passing examinations, and I am delighted that so many St John's students complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award and involve themselves in leadership activities, as well as studying hard and achieving highly in academic subjects. The truth is, the fundamental function and aim of education never changes: to develop in young people the knowledge, skills and strength of character to live a life of purpose and fulfilment and to make a contribution to their communities and beyond. For all its demands, headship is still an absolute privilege. Nicky Edomondson |