Good heads have to be rewarded
Figures obtained by the YEP show headteachers in Leeds are on pretty tidy salaries.
The average pay of a secondary school head weighs in at just under 85,000 while one so-called 'super-head' is on a whopping 126,000.
Education Leeds has defended the sums, saying pay is set by a school's governors and adheres to national government guidelines.
Yet that has failed to mollify watchdogs at the TaxPayers' Alliance who question whether well-perfoming heads should be quite so well rewarded when other schools in the city are still not up to scratch.
They are also repeating calls for the introduction of performance-related pay, a move they say is being resisted by teachers' unions.
The difficulty is that, despite the healthy pay packets, there are no queues of people wanting to be headteachers.
That's because it's a hard and often thankless job, one that demands enormous skill to pull an entire school in the right direction.
Not only that but you must also be a figurehead who sets the tone inside the school gates – and then continue the role in the wider community outside them.
The truth is that if we want headteachers who will get the job done we have to pay for them.
And when it's our children's education at stake a good head is worth his or her weight in gold.
Vital link
PAUL Madeley was a legend for Leeds United but now he finds himself tackling a bigger opponent than any he faced on the pitch.
Six years ago the 64-year-old former England player was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a cruel condition that can rob sufferers of their ability to perform everyday tasks such as walking, talking and writing.
Paul returned yesterday to Farsley Celtic, the place where he started his playing career, to unveil the new under-13s team kit sponsored by the Parkinson's Disease Society.
As part of the deal, young players will learn more about Parkinson's disease and take part in fundraising activities for the organisation.
It's also hoped the link-up will encourage other sufferers to come forward as well as raising general awareness of the condition.
Well, what better way than sponsoring a football team to start building some grassroots support?
Time running out
THE clock could be ticking for a famous feature of Leeds unless money is found for restoration work.
A section inside the historic Oakwood Clock at the bottom end of Roundhay Park is hanging loose and is in urgent need of repair. The only trouble is that there's precious little public money available to fix it.
Let's hope local businesses can club together and help with any fundraising appeal.
It would be a sad day indeed if time was up for such a well-known city landmark.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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