View Full Version : Wick High School Rector Search
Is Wick High ever going to get a new Rector as by todays Caithness Courier another two Candidates were found to be Unsuitable .
It is now some five months since Mr Trail left and it may be this time Next year until the Post is filled.
This is Not doing the school or pupils any good having No one to guide the school on a Full time basics.
achingale
12-May-10, 12:01
That is a good point. Maybe the pupils should do a You Tube appeal.
Alice in Blunderland
12-May-10, 12:25
This will be the same paper which covered what a wreck of a school it is and how the morale is low and so on and so on ?
Negative press has its pluses and negatives.
Across the board it is very difficult to recruit to the Highlands not just in Education. :(
I do hope they manage to recruit someone and before much longer so that the kids and staff can have stability in this area at least.
There's a shortage of Headteachers across the country because fewer people want the job with all the additional responsibility for managing a large bureaucracy on behalf of the council, the government and their agencies. Added to that is the position of Wick itself. I don’t think there’s going to be a new Rector any time soon. :eek:
There's a shortage of Headteachers across the country because fewer people want the job with all the additional responsibility for managing a large bureaucracy on behalf of the council, the government and their agencies. Added to that is the position of Wick itself. I don’t think there’s going to be a new Rector any time soon. :eek:
There is a shortage and for the reasons you suggest but also there is an Education Admin at local level (Caithness and Sutherland) which is pretty inept in sorting out any local problems. What can you expect from a local director of education (or whatever new title he has) whose experience was in sport and running a swimming pool. Education in Highland is awash with people promoted beyond their capabilities or maybe because they could not teach and so they were though to be better in administration. What most of them know about recuiting and then spotting a good head teacher can probably be written on the back of a postage stamp.
Invisible
12-May-10, 13:41
Would you rather any Joe Bloggs who wants the job or someone who can get results but takes longer to find?
Boozeburglar
12-May-10, 13:42
This is unbelievable after what happened in Castletown.
There is a shortage and for the reasons you suggest but also there is an Education Admin at local level (Caithness and Sutherland) which is pretty inept in sorting out any local problems. What can you expect from a local director of education (or whatever new title he has) whose experience was in sport and running a swimming pool. Education in Highland is awash with people promoted beyond their capabilities or maybe because they could not teach and so they were though to be better in administration. What most of them know about recuiting and then spotting a good head teacher can probably be written on the back of a postage stamp.
Is it Graham Nicols (Area Education Culture and Sport Manager) you refer to as the Education Director is Based in Inverness
Would you rather any Joe Bloggs who wants the job or someone who can get results but takes longer to find?
My Point is How many are they going to Interview before the Post is filled.
All the people getting to the Interview stage must have some points to get them that far from the report in the Caithness Courier it seems that it is the Parent Council that is stating the people are unsuitable.
We wish someone who is able to take the school forward but the longer the Post is unfilled the quicker the school will fall Back into the way it was with Manson the Rector.
Alaister Trail took on a Hard Job and built the school up and it would be a shame to let it go backwards but it will if this post is Not filled soon.
Perhaps the council should be advertising it a bit better.
Alice in Blunderland
12-May-10, 13:54
There is a shortage and for the reasons you suggest but also there is an Education Admin at local level (Caithness and Sutherland) which is pretty inept in sorting out any local problems. What can you expect from a local director of education (or whatever new title he has) whose experience was in sport and running a swimming pool. Education in Highland is awash with people promoted beyond their capabilities or maybe because they could not teach and so they were though to be better in administration. What most of them know about recuiting and then spotting a good head teacher can probably be written on the back of a postage stamp.
So what type of background should the person holding this post have ?
He is in charge of Education Culture and Sport.
Do you think all three areas should be split and separate managers found ?
So what type of background should the person holding this post have ?
He is in charge of Education Culture and Sport.
Do you think all three areas should be split and separate managers found ?
Education is by far ansd away the biggest area in local government. While sport is very important experience in that area hardly eanables one to understand the compexities of running education from 3 years to 18 years. The person in charge should have a wide experience of working in education from the grass roots up and preferably in a variety of types and sizes of school/department.
I am doubtful of the usefulness of having those three areas under 'one roof' but more concerned by the expertise and experience of people actually employed to administer such a department.
I do not want to end up writing a book here but suffice to say a lot more could be put forward regarding the present system and the steps taken to obtain qualified staff and to judge their likely proficiency.
So what type of background should the person holding this post have ?
He is in charge of Education Culture and Sport.
Do you think all three areas should be split and separate managers found ?
Yes Education should have its own Manager but with all the cuts in Highland Region about to hit us that will Never happen.
So what type of background should the person holding this post have ?
He is in charge of Education Culture and Sport.
Do you think all three areas should be split and separate managers found ?
The term, "Jack of all trades, Master of none" springs to mind.
IMHO Education is so important to so many people that it should be the focus of a position without any additional distractions.
There is a shortage and for the reasons you suggest but also there is an Education Admin at local level (Caithness and Sutherland) which is pretty inept in sorting out any local problems. What can you expect from a local director of education (or whatever new title he has) whose experience was in sport and running a swimming pool. Education in Highland is awash with people promoted beyond their capabilities or maybe because they could not teach and so they were though to be better in administration. What most of them know about recuiting and then spotting a good head teacher can probably be written on the back of a postage stamp.
Curiously thats my opinion of how IT is done up here also. Thurso/North Highland College managed to attract a principal but maybe its more appealing than Wick High School.
I think its the location and relative isolation which puts a lot of people off, I'm sure if they made the position attractive enough though they'd get someone.
Education is by far ansd away the biggest area in local government. While sport is very important experience in that area hardly eanables one to understand the compexities of running education from 3 years to 18 years. The person in charge should have a wide experience of working in education from the grass roots up and preferably in a variety of types and sizes of school/department.
I am doubtful of the usefulness of having those three areas under 'one roof' but more concerned by the expertise and experience of people actually employed to administer such a department.
Totally agree - why Education had to be lumped together with Culture and Sport has always puzzled me. Created a large number of 'top' heavy management teams at the expense of education.
Golspie managed to get a replacement fairly quickly. Why not Wick?
sinclairbay
12-May-10, 22:55
perhaps it is the case that TPTB (including the parent council) are being *too* picky?!
I don't believe theres an unlimited pool of potential rectors out there..
Believe Golspie has landed a very good Rector.
Believe Golspie has landed a very good Rector.
Golspie got a temporary rector a few months ago .........Steven, can't remember his first name. As far as I know his appointment was never going to be permanent.
I think it's good that Wick are looking for the 'right person' rather than the usual practise of promoting people into final salary positions. After all if they are getting a new school they will need a strong leader with the right attitude.
Alice in Blunderland
13-May-10, 08:55
What most of them know about recuiting and then spotting a good head teacher can probably be written on the back of a postage stamp.
Okay if that is the case then can you give us a rough guide on how to spot a good head teacher so that those currently in the job and on the interview panel who just cant seem to get it right can take on board and follow it. ;)
If the right candidate does not apply does this mean that you give it to the good looking young sir who looks as though he could do a good job. :confused
It is so easy for anyone to sit on the sidelines pointing the finger saying what a lousy job when we
Most of the time do not have the full information.
Are not qualified to judge.
Love to hide behind the annonymity of a forum.
:D
I dont see the latest Parent Council meetings being overflowing with concerned parents about the current situation.I am sure the local councillors of whom some will be sitting on this panel are not being inundated with expressions of concern either.
Tough times are ahead and getting tougher so a good leader will be needed for the school and to rush in and employ someone not quite right for the job may mean that six months down the road they are off with stress or out of it altogether because they cant cope with the job.
As for the Education bosses I have no doubt whoever is in office they will have their critics and I am not saying I have not been one in the past but one thing I have learned from my meetings with them is that if you listen and converse freely with them, they will talk with you and try to explain where they are coming from. Whether you agree or disagree is another matter.
If you judge them before having all the info they will back off to protect themselves. Who wouldn't ??
In time hopefully the panel will appoint a good headteacher to bring the school on from where Alistair left it this may take time and patience but lets not be too quick to judge when we are not fully equipped with the information.
Golspie got a temporary rector a few months ago .........Steven, can't remember his first name. As far as I know his appointment was never going to be permanent.
I think it's good that Wick are looking for the 'right person' rather than the usual practise of promoting people into final salary positions. After all if they are getting a new school they will need a strong leader with the right attitude.
Golspie have a permanent Rector appointed.
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2010/March/2010-03-17-02.htm
New Head Teacher for Golspie High School (17/03/10)
Golspie High School in Sutherland has appointed a new head teacher. He is James Vance, who is currently Depute Rector at Banff Academy, Aberdeenshire.
James’ specialist teaching subject is History and he has worked for the SQA as a marker and vetter at various levels and in quality assuring Advanced Higher.
Before teaching at Banff Academy he taught at Fraserburgh Academy. Prior to that, while completing his Ph.D in 18th Century Scottish and Irish History he tutored at Aberdeen University.
Sarah Whealing, Chair of Golspie High School Parent Council welcomed Mr Vance’s appointment. She said: “The Parent Council are delighted that Golspie High School has attracted a new Head Teacher of Mr Vance’s calibre, and we look forward to working with him in the future. We are aware of the difficulties of recruitment and are very pleased that, with the Council's help, we have made an appointment for our school at the first attempt.”
-ends-
Is Wick High ever going to get a new Rector as by todays Caithness Courier another two Candidates were found to be Unsuitable .
It is now some five months since Mr Trail left and it may be this time Next year until the Post is filled.
This is Not doing the school or pupils any good having No one to guide the school on a Full time basics.
My Point is How many are they going to Interview before the Post is filled.
All the people getting to the Interview stage must have some points to get them that far from the report in the Caithness Courier it seems that it is the Parent Council that is stating the people are unsuitable.
We wish someone who is able to take the school forward but the longer the Post is unfilled the quicker the school will fall Back into the way it was with Manson the Rector.
Alaister Trail took on a Hard Job and built the school up and it would be a shame to let it go backwards but it will if this post is Not filled soon.
Perhaps the council should be advertising it a bit better.
My point is WICKER10 if you are so sure you know what you're talking about and could find someone "suitable" for the job I suggest you get of your backside, join the Parent Council and ask to be put on the next interview panel.:roll:
Just for the record it is not solely the Parent Council who decide which candidate gets the job. There are others involved in the process including local councillors and HRC education officials.
Just for the record it is not solely the Parent Council who decide which candidate gets the job. There are others involved in the process including local councillors and HRC education officials.
Just be grateful it's not like some English schools seen in the news recently: Pupils on the selection panel. Just bet they're going to vote for someone who would actually be good for the SCHOOL!
Just be grateful it's not like some English schools seen in the news recently: Pupils on the selection panel. Just bet they're going to vote for someone who would actually be good for the SCHOOL!
Heard this has already happened in appointing some staff in highland schools - might have been support staff - but what happens next...........:~(
Tubthumper
13-May-10, 18:15
Turn the query around. Why does Wick High School not appeal to any suitable candidates?
And if not, why not?
Bad reputation?
Poor teachers?
Badly-behaved kids?
Lack of ambition & aspiration?
Poor accommodation?
Unsupportive community?
Community quick to criticise and blame, slow to offer assistance?
Poor facilities?
Lack of funding?
Poor wages?
Gordon Brown might make a good HT
Turn the query around. Why does Wick High School not appeal to any suitable candidates?
And if not, why not?
Bad reputation?
Poor teachers?
Badly-behaved kids?
Lack of ambition & aspiration?
Poor accommodation?
Unsupportive community?
Community quick to criticise and blame, slow to offer assistance?
Poor facilities?
Lack of funding?
Poor wages?
You've been on a bit of a downer recently, wots up chuck? :D
Tubthumper
14-May-10, 12:57
You've been on a bit of a downer recently, wots up chuck? :D
Can't put my finger on it.Ever since I started on the Portgower musical, I've been unable to sleep. Also there's all this hair sprouting. Can't concentrate.
Seriously though, starting to get very concerned about the county. We need to take a serious look at ourselves and the things we get excited about. And I think I'm pregnant as well.:roll:
Can't put my finger on it.Ever since I started on the Portgower musical, I've been unable to sleep. Also there's all this hair sprouting. Can't concentrate.
Seriously though, starting to get very concerned about the county. We need to take a serious look at ourselves and the things we get excited about. And I think I'm pregnant as well.
Well....about the county. I can't help thinking it is about critical mass. More people, more resources, more services, bigger workforce more attractive to business?
Trouble is, there are few jobs to attract more people. (there are plenty of jobs, but people don't relocate for minimum wage :roll:).
So we need the people who's job it is to attract new interest in the county to pull fingers out because there is little evidence (I can see) of activity.
And if you are (like shelly and vistravi and not dadie :eek: ) going to be adding to the population that's a good start :cool:
im behind you
01-Sep-10, 18:01
they have finaly found a new rector for wick high school. how long will he have to wait before he gets his first complaint.
redeyedtreefrog
01-Sep-10, 18:23
I see he's from Somerset. I hope he has the accent.
telfordstar
01-Sep-10, 21:24
Im delighted that Wick High School finally has a new rector. Although I do feel that Les Gunn did a good job as acting rector as well. I really hope that this new rector brings a new fresh approach to the school as it is very much needed.
I also hope he takes no crap from a certain residence in west banks avenue who persistantly phones, writes and emails about every petty little thing to do with the High school which includes how cars are parked, gates closed to even litter and grass cutting issues, lets say no more about that.
Wishing the new rector all the best in his new job :)
I see he's from Somerset. I hope he has the accent.
Began his teaching career in Campbeltown Grammar School - looks like he is Scottish.
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