Jean Else

Dame Jean Else, DBE (born 1951) is a former British educator and former schoolteacher. She now writes a bi-monthly column for the Manchester Evening News.

Professional notability

She took over Whalley Range High School in Manchester in 1994 when the girls' comprehensive school had the worst truancy rate in England and Wales. She slashed that to below the national average, pupil numbers were almost doubled, and GCSE results went up from 16% to 34% getting the top grades. School inspectors called it "a very good school with many strengths and few weaknesses ... exceptionally well led and very efficiently managed and administered". Ms. Else said the secret was changing the school's environment and making it a place where girls wanted to come to learn. "It's a beautiful environment and more like a hotel than a school. We have carpeted corridors and music playing and our own radio station," she said. "It's been a challenge but I have loved doing it. I really have enjoyed it." Children are required to wear full school uniform and traditional rules applied.

But Dame Jean, who was also involved with government education focus groups [ cite web | date = 1999 | title = Caught in the Headlights | url = http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/local/excellence/nlett2/news2_focus.html | format = HTML | publisher = DfES | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] , said the extra activities on offer encourage pupils to learn. "We are looking at having our own television studio next year. We have breakfast clubs and lots of sports and music activities, trips and rewards." She said she was "shocked" to be made a dame. "It's a delight I never expected". [ cite web | date = 2000-09-30 | title = Heads honoured for reviving schools | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1093077.stm | format = HTML | publisher = BBC | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ]

Controversy

Dame Jean Else spent 10 years turning the school into one of the most high profile schools in Manchester. Things turned sour, however, in November 2004 when she and two other senior members of staff were suspended from duty [ cite web | date = 2005-10-25 | title = 'Super head' criticised in report | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4373386.stm | format = HTML | publisher = BBC | accessdate = 2008-02-23 ] , pending an investigation by Manchester City Council after allegations were made by the Audit Commission following their own two year investigation.

Dame Jean fought a lengthy battle to return to the school but was finally dismissed in August 2006, along with her sister Maureen Rochford, formerly assistant head, and Stewart Scott, director of governance, following allegations of nepotism and questionable management [cite web
date = 2006-08-23
title = Super-head Jean is sacked
url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/education/s/221/221410_superhead_jean_is_sacked.html
format = HTML
publisher = Manchester Evening News
accessdate = 2008-02-23] .

Jean is currently working on three books to tell her side of the story of her 10 years at the top [cite web
date = 2006-09-01
title = Sacked headteacher to write book
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/5305756.stm
format = HTML
publisher = BBC
accessdate = 2008-02-23] .

Whalley Range High School is now run by former Parrs Wood headteacher Patsy Kane.

Jean Else was appointed a trustee of the Imperial War Museum in 2003 [cite web
date = 2003-03-24
title = Imperial War Museum
url = http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page3332.asp
format = HTML
publisher = Prime Minister's Office
accessdate = 2008-02-23] .

References

External links

* [http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pir/downloads/105379.pdf Audit Commission report October 2005]