I MUST write to support Frank Abel (Letters, August 29) who pointed out that the most important improvement politicians can make in education is not necessarily expensive new buildings or highly paid headteachers, but more funding for classroom teachers, especially in areas where the students have a challenging diversity of needs, such as our inner city.
Having taught in both the Sheffield schools that have now become academies I am well aware of these needs, and understand that smaller classes are the best way to meet them.
A good headteacher can make a big improvement to a school, but the Lib D
ems seem to think there are lots of schools in Sheffield that lack good headteachers (Super heads bid to raise standards, August 29).
I beg to differ, and believe that what they are lacking in order to make the necessary improvements in our children's education are the resources to reduce class sizes and meet the individual needs of all the pupils.
I now teach adults who for many reasons missed out on a good education when they were young. I regularly listen to their stories of how the education system failed them, and it usually comes down to the fact that their needs were ignored while the teachers concentrated on other students.
This is in no way meant to be a criticism of the teachers – with big classes spanning massive ranges in ability their job is often impossible.
So please Lib Dems, don't take it out on the headteachers – help them to improve the schools by giving them the resources they require.
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