The challenges

I think schools are facing more challenges than ever before and certainly from a broader base too. The most obvious is the way pupil attainment is measured in raw terms by the very explicit reporting mechanism of 5 A-C including English and Maths. I question whether the National Challenge initiative helps. Other challenges include: the recruitment challenge and the incompetence challenge in a system that seldom calls anyone incompetent; the financial constraints, unlikely to let up anytime soon in the current climate; community cohesion; attending to emotional wellbeing, promoting healthy living, tackling parenting weaknesses etc etc. However, these challenges must be seen as fruitful opportunities as we lead beyond our authority...