WHAT IS THIS SAYING TO US?

27 July 2005

You would think that Swansea head teacher Joe Blackburn would already have enough to do looking after one of the city's largest schools, Bishop Vaughan Comprehensive School in Morriston. But now the governors have agreed to allow him to also take over the headship of closure-threatened Dylan Thomas school in Cockett.

Mr Blackburn is a capable head but how exactly is he expected to lead two major schools with such diverse natures on separate sites miles apart?

The reluctance to appoint a full-time head at Dylan Thomas given its uncertain future is understandable. But no matter what decision is made the school will still need a leader.

The obvious answer was to have made the existing deputy head the acting head teacher. If for some reason this was not possible there are lots of efficient deputy heads in other schools in Swansea who could have taken on the role in the short term.

Mr Blackburn's appointment is a further put down to parents at Dylan Thomas who are fighting to save their school. They will see it as another indicator that a decision to close it has already been made.

It is also an injustice to the pupils and staff at both schools. They need and deserve a full time head teacher.