Is the current school system one that is fit for the future or better suited to the past? Dave Harris is passionate about ensuring we have a system that is genuinely designed for the 21st century and as one of the UK's most respected headteachers he has been putting his money where his mouth is for many years.
His current role principal of the new Nottingham University Samworth Academy where he is building from scratch a school that can turn theory into practice. In collaboration with sponsors, staff, students and the wider community he is working to challenge some of the ‘rules of education’:
- That pupils should learn in age-related groups
- That primary and secondary education are best separated
- That learning in secondary school is best delivered through dedicated subject teams
- That 60-minute chunks are the optimum medium for learning
- That students should be seen and not heard
- That a clearly defined hierarchical leadership structure is the best way of leading change
Dave has worked as part of the SSAT System Redesign Group with Professor David Hargreaves and colleagues from some of the most innovative schools in Britain to clarify the 20 reconfigurations that typify the changes needed to prepare an education system for the 21st century. He is clear that a change in the nature of leadership - and the way schools approach change - is vitally important for schools to succeed.
A regular speaker at conferences to talk about his experiences which include forming and leading an ‘all-through’ school, Dave not only shares his views on the benefits of mixed- age schooling but also challenges the accepted nature of modern schooling itself, focusing on the ethos for learning, the need for love and respect in the staffroom as well as in the classroom, the relationships and the success – or otherwise – of communication across the whole school community.
In fact, a look at his CV reveals the expertise he can bring to a range of Events:
- System redesign
- Developing devolved leadership
- Through schooling/ transition
- Leadership through passion
- Practical strategies for developing learning
- Forming an extended school
- Collaboration/ federations/ amalgamations
- Developing an active research focus within a school
- He even has experience of education from an international perspective, having a Masters degree in International Education, and having worked with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg for five years.
Dave strongly believes that every school in the country can benefit from challenging the way they work and think. Whether that be by changing approaches within the school or by collaborating with other educational organisations.
One area that has not yet made it onto his CV is his work in the area of sex education in schools, something that led to him being invited to take part in the Channel 4 TV programme with Davina McCall called Let's Talk Sex.
And if you're looking for testimony of Dave's skills as a speaker you won't find better than this from raconteur extraordinaire Gervaise Phinn - "It was so good to listen to you. Your input was inspirational - you were a hard act to follow. I know that everyone found your session useful and very informative quite apart from being immensely entertaining."
Feedback about Dave's work from recent Events include:
- I am writing on behalf of the Federation to thank you for your inspirational and hugely enjoyable address
- The response to the presentation was unanimously favourable and I think you may be able to form a fan club in this area!
Dave's CRB number is 001196269011 issued 8th May 2008.
- For Dave's prices click here
- People who benefited from Dave have also enjoyed Jackie Beere
So, to experience what primary education can teach secondary and vice versa from someone who has feet firmly in both camps (Dave’s latest article for ASCL and featured below is entitled You’ve Never Known Fear Until You’ve Given an Infant Assembly and contains the memorable line, ‘So, what has led me to a point in my career where I have been persuaded to join a KS2 disco dressed as Pudsey Bear?’), for insights and ideas that relate to all schools and to all children or just to find out what Davina is really like, please make contact with Dave Harris by calling the Independent Thinking office on 0844 589 0490 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk
Articles by Dave Harris:
Books by Dave Harris:
TV Programmes with Dave Harris: