Good stuff. Colin Ashby talks a lot of sense. I'm due to speak at Trinity School later this term.

A head teacher is urging others to take up what he called the "noble" role of leader of a school.

Addressing the Independent Schools Association conference in Torquay, Chairman Colin Ashby (Head Teacher at Trinity School, Teignmouth) appealed for more potential heads to step forward.

He said that among professionals, the role carried a "label of integrity of the highest order".

But he noted that 1,500 schools were without permanent heads and applications were down by 16%.

He said that in 2005, 1,786 teachers left state schools to teach in independent ones.

He said it was a "vote of confidence" in the independent sector but "we must look beyond the confines of our own sector".

Link: BBC NEWS | Education | Call to join 'noble' profession.