It is an obscenity to say school class sizes do not matter, says Mrs Mo Newman, head-teacher at Haworth First School.

Her remarks came at her installation as president of the Bradford branch of the National Association of Head teachers. And she asked that if class size did not matter why did so many government ministers have their children educated privately in classes with rarely more than 15 pupils.

Mrs Newman suggested that government targets for 2002 would not have been necessary had there been appropriate funding over past years. And she said with better staffing ratios, the provision of non-contact time to promote professional development and enough cash for decent buildings and working environments all things were possible.

Mrs Newman also said it would be easy to be cynical and conclude that Bradford council's current schools review was more about finance and less about achievement. But heads must be positive because all that mattered was the continued provision of the highest quality education possible, she said.

She commented that vocation might be an out-dated concept in today's fast-moving, target-setting, management-focussed schools. But she could guarantee that those present at Oakwood Hall, Bingley, chose their career because they wanted to teach, enjoyed working with children and believed they could be influential.

Mrs Newman also guaranteed that no one wanted to be a financial manager, building custodian or personnel officer. But she said they had shown that the education profession was made up of dedicated teachers who knew what was best for schools in spite of continually falling budgets and increasing demands.

She also commented that whatever the outcome of the schools review the NAHT's role as a professional association would be vital. School closures were inevitable and the reality was that some members' careers and lives would be disrupted, she said.

The protection of members' interests must be at the forefront of negotiations in the coming year. Mrs newman said for those who could not face yet another major upheaval in their lives there must be the opportunity for a dignified, professional and secure close to this chapter of their lives.

Letter, page 10

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