Lessons from head teachers' conference

THE importance of educating well the highly able, as well as developing the literacy of all children, was stressed at the East Kent Headteachers' Conference at Dover Town Hall on Friday.

The conference, hosted by the Dover, Deal, and Sandwich Council of Headteachers, was chaired by Neil Slater, head teacher of the Dover Boys' Grammar School.

Visiting speakers were Cambridge Don, historian, writer and broadcaster Dr David Starkey, and educationalist and writer Professor Gervase Phinn.

In his address, Dr Starkey spoke about the importance of educating well the highly able, and drew on his own excellent educational experience where, he said, he was challenged to rise high, both in his grammar school and at Cambridge.

He attacked much that has happened in recent years to lower standards, and explained the philosophy and skills which have led him to the great success he has enjoyed.

Professor Phinn spoke about the importance of developing the literacy of all children, and drew on many examples of children's work and comments to demonstrate the way they view the world and express themselves.

He demonstrated ways of drawing responses from children, using, for example, toy animals and techniques of questioning to entertain, mystify and engage.