Less is More

Ed Balls' recent announcement that DCSF is exploring potential savings of up to £2bn from school management economies clearly struck the wrong chord for many. But in the immediate and predictable furore, the reality check went missing. 

We now face the most significant reductions in public funding for a generation and if we're not part of the solution, we're going to become a reactive part of the problem: there is an actual need to consider priorities and defend what matters most.

The quest for efficient and effective use of resources should not be an attack on the sacred cow of funding entitlement, but there is undeniably an unacceptable resourcing hoard in a number of schools. It exists not only in uncommitted funding, but also in poor use of facilities; indulgent ICT spending, because grants and budgets have flowed during the good years. Now is not then: we better get used to it and address the issue of equity for those who have taught generations without such opportunities. There is a real risk of an educational divide opening up again. The BSF brakes being applied will leave a visible legacy of haves and have-nots: a travesty of the original lofty intention of 21st Century facilities for all..

So Ed Balls is in the right territory: there is no option but to think out loud with ruthless candour. It would sound better if the financial imperative were linked into an assessment of the professional benefit of federations and other education improvement partnerships that incidentially deliver efficiency and better value evidenced by good outcomes for pupils. It is often in areas of significant deprivation that you will find outstanding examples of collaboration, genuine collegiality which overcomes personal politics or institutional self-interest in the interests of a wider learning community.

The principle of the principal and the value of education leadership is also a key consideration and it is legitimate to debate this seriously: If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs produces only hollow laughter these days. It's surely time we abandoned the cult of leadership personality; we should stop looking for SuperHead and SuperTed and learn how generally successful leadership and collective support for school improvement can be distributed without dilution.

Professional screeching about a minister being honest: it's an interesting new take on government. However loud we howl, the definition of front line and bottom line will have to be reconciled somehow - that is the real message.