Lead Learner

A London primary head has decided to abandon the title 'head teacher' and become 'lead learner'.

Matt Chappel runs Thornhill School in Islington, North London. He said, "Thornhill promtes and values high quality learning - and I aim to lead by example. I want to show pupils that learning is not something that stops when they leave school, and that even as adults there is still plenty to learn. So I see this new title as a better reflection of my role and purpose."

The president of the NAHT, David Tuck, disagreed with the change of job title. "Our view is that every school should have a head teacher and that no other title should be used. One person needs to be the leader and to take responsibility, even if it's a shared vision."

Blimey. Whilst I totally agree that no teacher ever stops learning, does it send out the right message to the children? Does it imply that the person in charge of the school is not a lot more important than the children if they are all there to learn? Teachers do learn, of course, but teachers are there to teach the learners. Aren't they?