Let children help pick heads, says professor

Proposals to involve children in the selection of teachers and head teachers were condemned by a teachers union.

Newly appointed Children's Commissioner Professor Al Aynsley-Green said children had played a part in his selection and he believed it was a beneficial process.

The grandfather-of-four said the views of children should be listened to and included in Government policy.

Mr Aynsley-Green was set a written test by a group of children who marked it and then interviewed him via a panel.

"I have gone through the wringer in my interview process and talking to young people afterwards, they felt incredibly proud of the fact they had been listened to, respected and that they had a say in what was going on," he said.

"They understood the process and how decisions were being taken and I think there is a two-way benefit in this."

He went on: "There are some schools where children are involved in selecting the head teacher.

"I am not saying that children should be engaged with every single person that is appointed but they should be for people who affect them, like teachers, head teachers or even children's doctors."

But Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said the suggestion was unnecessary and would disrupt the relationship between teacher and pupil.

She said prospective teachers were often asked to give demonstration lessons and were shown around schools by children to see if they interact well with young people.

"I think that is as far as it should go," she said. "I think it is ridiculous when people are being tested on the basis of their experience, their attitude and approach to teaching to have children on the interview panel.

"On what basis will they get involved in the interview process? It will become subjective and be about whether they take to the person or not."

Ms Keates said managing directors of toy companies and chief executives of local education authorities would not be interviewed by children in the selection process.

"I think it is one of those ideas that should be consigned to oblivion," she said.

Mr Aynsley-Green was appointed to the post of Children's Commissioner by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly in March.

He stepped down from his roles as National Clinical Director for Children and Nuffield Professor of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.