§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what courses are currently run to assist head teachers in their work; at what cost; and what provision is planned for the next financial year;
(2) If he is satisfied that head teachers receive sufficient training, in view of the increasing demands and skills needed to run a school.
§ Dr. BoysonCurrent provision for the training of head teachers ranges from long courses, often leading to an advanced qualification, at universities, polytechnics and colleges, to short courses, conferences and seminars organised by local education authorities and other bodies; and often includes school-based work as part of a structured programme. Because of the variety of provision and of training agencies it is not possible to estimate the total cost. To obtain better information about the scale and nature of existing provision my Department has financed a short research study under the direction of Professor M. G. Hughes at the University of Birmingham, the final report of which is expected in a few weeks.
My right hon. and learned Friend intends to invite the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Education of Teachers to give early consideration to arrangements for the training of heads and senior staff, in the light of Professor Hughes' study and views expressed at a one-day conference recently organised by the Department on training for heads and senior staff of secondary schools.