Anger at Underperformance
Key extracts from Report by Ian Kershaw and Eversheds
xxxxx described the environment within which Birmingham schools were operating in around 2008. “I think that the role played by the Department for Education and the National Challenge at the time of many of the events described below is important to understanding the pressures and tensions faced by underperforming schools. In my view, there was a significant amount of downward pressure from these bodies; parents started to become aware of under performing schools through the National Challenge programme, and Governing Bodies thought that they were not doing a good job if they were not taking the schools to task on performance issues.”
xxxxx however, commented that “In my view there is a certain degree of inevitability about tensions between senior leaders and Governing Bodies where there is an underperforming school believe that such tensions have sometimes resulted in angry and frustrated Governors who have made their views known in ways that are sometimes interpreted as inappropriate, rude and aggressive. However, I do not believe that this anger is based on race or faith, or that "the Muslims" are attempting to “take over the schools”.
xxxxx commented that “My view is that there is a history of inappropriate behaviour by Governors linked to anger at underperformance, perceived community disenfranchisement and cultural misunderstanding and suspicion (in itself skill deficiency) on both the parts of Governors and some Head Teachers. I do not think this was/is wilful manipulation I think people were just reacting to what they saw.”
On the other hand, Education Commissioner aka Laughing Policeman Peter Clarke CVO OBE QPM saw evidence of upward trajectory in results and strong year-on-year performance to warrant pay progression!