Boys may get chance to try Euro-style exam

by GRAHAM TUTTHILL

THE new head teacher at the Dover Boys' Grammar School says she would be interested in introducing the International Baccalaureate exam into the school.

Sally Lees, who is currently deputy head of Maidstone Grammar School, is preparing to take over the headship of the boys' school in September.

On Thursday she was at the school to meet the staff, and next term she plans to spend more time at the school getting to know the pupils, staff, parents and governors.
"I will be doing a lot of listening,'" she said. "There is a huge amount of potential at the school. The students have a lot of ability, and the staff are enthusiastic.

"But quite a bit needs doing in terms of the environment." Mrs Lees has already discovered the poor condition of the toilets and the changing rooms, facilities that previous head teachers have vowed to improve.

"They are top of the list," she said.

"If you expect the pupils to behave themselves and show respect, you have to respect them by providing good facilities. I have got to find the money from somewhere." Mrs Lees believes that the International Baccalaureate, which is provided at her Maidstone school, offers a genuine breadth, 'something Curriculum 2000 was set up to do, but hasn't', she said.

"Not only do the students have to do six subjects, but there is also creativity, action and service. They have to spend 150 hours on service and other activities beyond the curriculum." And she believes it promotes the theory of learning, which is something she is keen on.

"I enjoy working with boys, and I feel I have the qualities to bring the best out of them. Boys have an enthusiasm and a real desire to learn. In general terms, girls are more patient, they will spend a long time working on something and improving it. There is a huge coursework element to GCSE exams, and so girls tend to do better at that than boys.

"Boys like to be active workers.

Boys need to have variety to their work.

"We have got to make a priority of looking at the approach to teaching and learning in the classroom and make the most of the qualities these boys bring." Mrs Lees admits that she also likes new challenges, and that's why she has decided to come to Dover after spending the whole of her teaching career - with a break to raise her family - at the one school in Maidstone.

"It may look as though I have been doing the same job at the same school, but that's not true. The longest I spent in one post was five years as head of Year 7.

"I spent three years on the senior management team, now I am completing four. years as deputy head, and I feel this is the time for a new challenge. I need a new challenge, and I am ready to move on.

"I have always wanted to be a head teacher. My job is to motivate the staff and pupils, and provide leadership for the people who work at the school.

"I am going to be a head involved with the people. I won't be someone who will be hidden in an office writing policies. I need to show that I am an excellent teacher and that I can cut the mustard in the classroom." Mrs Lees specialises in maths, and is obviously passionate about the subject. "Sometimes pupils arrive at the age of 11 and don't like maths and say they can't do it. I believe we should inspire confidence in them that "they can do it:"

Her other passion is music. She plays the piano and viola, has played with various chamber music ensembles and is a member of the Beresford Ensemble.

She hopes she may be able to introduce lunchtime recitals at the school.

Mrs Lees has also been involved in teaching Personal, Social and Health Education at Maidstone. "Working with different groups, I was able to work around a whole year group," she said.

One bonus of her appointment at Dover Grammar School is the view that she gets from the head teacher's study window, looking out over the town, with the castle, the harbour and the Channel.

"I really like the position of this school, and the view is wonderful." Mrs Lees will be replacing Julia Bell, who will have been head of the boys' school for a year at the end of the summer term. Mrs Bell, who has been head teacher of the Girls' Grammar School for five years, took on the headship of both schools in September.

After announcing she would be giving up her job at the boys' school, she has subsequently resigned from the girls' school, too.

Mrs Lees says she will be working closely with Mrs Bell during the coming term, and plans to continue the co-operation between the two grammar schools.