Islington Tribune - News: A learner in name of education

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Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN
Published: 8 June 2007

Learning is the outcome: Matt Chappel

A learner in name of education

School head becomes a lead

A HEADTEACHER has spoken for the first time about a controversial decision to change his job title to ‘lead learner’.
Critics have suggested the decision of Matt Chappel, who heads Thornhill Primary, in Thornhill Road, Barnsbury, equates to dumbing down and a breakdown of respect between children and teachers.
Nothing could be further from the truth, said the forward-thinking head, last night (Thursday) in his first interview on the subject.
He said: “(Reports) have suggested that Thornhill is a free and easy school but we are not. We have a high level of discipline and control but there’s no point in the children being scared of me.
“We are trying to focus on the quality of learning at the school and I am supposed to be an expert on learning, a model for children and teachers.
“Teaching is important but learning is the outcome.
“The name isn’t the most important thing. What matters is whether children respect me and teachers learn from me.
“The school used to be a first-name school and I changed it to a second-name school. I changed it because you need a bit of distance. If anything, I’ve made it more formal.”
A recent Ofsted inspection report gave high praise to teaching methods and applauded Mr Chappel’s leadership style.
He retains the full backing of the school’s governors and Town Hall boss James Kempton.
Councillor Kempton, himself a former teacher, said: “Speaking personally, I am very happy for the head to call himself whatever he wants. Some headteachers are known by their first names but the most important thing is that people have a high level of confidence in staff.
“In that sense the head is accountable to the parents and if the parents are happy then I’m happy.”
Mr Chappel, who took over at Thornhill three years ago, has led a series of high-yield fundraising drives and is immensely popular with parents.
Recent initiatives include an auction of celebrity items to fund a new art block and a tie-up with the Duke of Cambridge organic pub to banish chain catering companies from the school.
Mr Chappel is bullish about criticism of the title and says he will be judged by his results.
He said: “The children like the lead learner name – it gets them thinking. With the parents, sometimes people react against it because it is different to their own school experience.
“We are an improving school and we have already improved quite dramatically.”

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