In the wake of a Headteacher’s suicide, how can Christians support their local schools?

Rarely a week goes by without a headline or two relating to schools and education in this country. Last month, we were left reeling at the news that a headteacher, Ruth Perry, had died by suicide as she awaited a negative Ofsted report. This month, attention has turned to news of more rounds of strikes planned for next term and public sympathy begins to wane again.

Full disclosure: I was a Primary School Teacher for eight years. I loved it and would probably still be doing it now if I hadn’t had my own family. I am now a parent governor at my children’s school, I like to keep an interest in the world of education and sometimes write resources for that sector. I remember, when I was doing my initial teacher training, one of our lecturers commenting; “because everyone went to school, everyone thinks they’re an expert on education!” That may be a little defensive, but perhaps there is some truth in it. Everyone has an opinion on the state of our education system, and on teachers themselves.

For anyone who is, or who knows and loves a teacher, however, you will know that they don’t work six hour days, or take half the year off on holiday, or go into it for the salary! Whilst every individual teacher has their own ‘why,’ most will describe how they seek to give a new generation good life chances, how they want to draw out the best in them and how they want to equip them to reach their potential.