Leadership within classrooms is vital, however I think that it’s our responsibility if we critisise leadership to suggest ways forward. By the way, I have no idea what that it

it’s a shame that people chose not to engage because of the ‘names.’

I tend to disagree with the comments about institutional change, top-down edicts rarely I believe encourage curriculum innovation, people need ownership of their own practice, I’m trying to think of one curriculum innovation that has come from above that has had any impact upon my own practice- I can’t. Structures can provide uniformity and monitor quality of provision, but ultimately they can’t change the approach and mindset of the practitioner.

I think true change comes from within the classroom, experimentation leading to long-term practice change, which through an open door policy, small groups of teachers working with each other, begins to evolve the practice of the institution. We shouldn’t also underestimate the importance of students in encouraging and spreading news of practice… The problem is that this is easier to write than to put into practice. It takes an individual to have the confidence to do this.

I can only lead within my own classroom, so it is the role of leaders to provide the structures to ensure the space, time and support to encourage innovation.

Teaching needs many more like you!

Well done and Happy New Year to you

Ian

I find your comments slightly ironic coming from the instigator of GeographyFM. I know that you didn’t create that for personal gain, or to raise your profile. However, it does raise the question why?

It seems that there is a huge gap between what happens with a wider community and what happens in schools. I have to be honest and say that what you speak of is mirrored in the institutions that I have worked within: lots of wider sharing, and less sharing within school. I’m more than a little worried about this.

I agree with Kenny – if what is shared is seen as self promotion, then we can chose to ignore their comments, just as they can choose to ignore what is put out there.

However, I disagree that sharing and raising a profile within a school should be avoided. I can empathise with your concern of the individuals in front of you, but I would argue that our main concern is all of the young people in the school. If this means sharing ideas and practice then it should be encouraged. Ideas can be used and adapted in other areas. Again, I have to admit that this is far from the situations that I have experienced.

That is one motivation for climbing out of the department. I find it unacceptable that there are pockets of engaging, innovative teaching within a school when it is absent in others. For me, you can’t change a schools’ culture from being confined to a classroom – you have to move out of it. Over the past few years, this has meant that I have to admit that Geography is not the be-all-and-end-all of education.

If we choose to share, then it opens us up to criticism and does raise out profile within the communities. This can lead to hostility, but ultimately we can choose to ignore those voices. If some people think that we are self promotion then we can ignore them also.

It’s our motivation, and outcomes, that set us apart from the self-promoters and greasy pole climbers.