Schools ranked inadequate by Ofsted inspections often face recruitment challenges. Something research from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) attributes to geographical isolation, low pupil attainment and self-esteem, a high proportion of pupils with special needs or pupils who are non-native English speakers.
The same research found only one in 10 teachers and headteachers would consider working in schools in need of turning around.
To attact more top teachers to work in the country's most challenging schools, in March TDA launched a campaign to sweep away misconceptions about these environments and highlight how rewarding posts in these schools can be.
This issue was recently explored in an EducationGuardian article by Louise Tickle and for those who want to ask questions about how these ideas apply to their own career, a panel of teachers and experts will be joining the Careers forum tomorrow at 4pm to talk further about these schools and teaching posts within them.
Our panel:
Ndidi Okesie, deputy head/director of learning, Burlington Danes Academy. In 2004 Burlington Danes Academy had a discipline problem so severe that education watchdog Ofsted threatened to shut the school. In February 2009 Burlington Danes nationally recognised as one of the most improved academies and was recognised as a 'good' school in its most recent (January 2009) Ofsted inspection.
Alison Downey, vice principal, Burlington Danes Academy.
Leonie Martin, citizenship and health and social care teacher at the Lilian Baylis Technology College in Kennington, London. Three-quarters of the pupils at Lilian Baylis claim free school meals, half arrive unable to read and write in English, and, in the lower school, 10% have a statement of special educational needs. After struggling with its result in the past, today Lilian Baylis is the seventh most improved school in England.
Hilary Utley, Training and Development Agency for Schools. Recruitment and teacher training expert Hilary will be available to discuss the need for more high quality teachers in underperforming schools, and to discuss the benefits available to these teachers.
This discussion is now open for your questions and comments, so get posting!
