Back to Basics

The news that Education Director, Rose Collinson is to step aside has come as a surprise despite the fact she has had a rough time in the position.

I do not know Rose well; having only recently joined the Council I can say that whenever our paths have crossed she has dealt with me in the highest level of professionalism and especially over my concerns on the Bishop of Rochester Academy; it is noted that she is one of those officers who will email at all times of the day whatever the issue from the member. A truly dedicated public servant she has, as I understand, worked her way to senior office and has a background in Special Educational needs.Her departure however presents an opportunity for reform in the structure of the department which is so desperately needed.

It was always a surprise that the Conservative administration chose to link in the Education portfolio with a number of other demanding departments including child care and adult learning.

Each of the departments would be challenging enough if they were all working seamlessly; as it was and is, there were inherent problems with a number when she inherited the job [and there have been marked improvements in a number of outcomes]. However, the subsequent high-profile issues surrounding Primary School re-organisations, 11+ fiasco, Primary school building funding and issues around governor training the perception was the department was struggling

The education budget has also come under increased scrutiny and pressure over the last 12-18 months. With Conservatives cutting budgets aligned to Supporting People, cost increases in the number of child care related case work, and with issues around SEN funding it was becoming apparent that on a number of fronts the pressure was immense. How on earth anyone could anyone focus on all those aforementioned; and then go onto challenge under-performing primary and secondary schools.

This of course would have been a red flag to a capable portfolio holder.

Unfortunately the person in post at the moment is utterly incapable; and the public have seen over the last 12-24 months the culmination in a failure to lead from the front. Les Wicks could have taken responsibility for each of these fiasco's and as the political lead should have done; as it was it appears that whilst he is still in post the officer has fallen.

It is in my mind the most important of all portfolio briefs which is why this angers. The future education of our young people is more important to residents then many, if not all, the other functions the Council carries out.

The political leadership is woefully lacking.

A suggestion perhaps for Tory backbenchers to persue; get a new portfolio holder (perhaps a capable back-bencher) and split the department in two; hire two directors. With Medway not performing at Key Stage 2 across a number of Primary Schools and a very mixed set of GCSE and A-level results, we need a senior person to focus on improving results and the glut of other structural Education changes on their own. The other brief can focus on child-care, adoption and adult education. It is a full-time job just to improve education for young people irrespective of all the other issues on the table.

I wish Rose all the best in her chosen field; but we now have an opportunity to look at the structure of the department and under needed fresh political leadership develop a structure which can focus on failing schools and engage in the improvements which are necessary.